Gardener crafts unique bench from wood planks

Every yard needs a place to sit and relax, whether it’s on the patio with family and friends or in a secluded corner for some peace and quiet.

A TikTok channel called Jack’s Garden shows how to turn basic planks into a unique and attractive bench. The DIY project can be made with scrap wood or relatively cheaply with store-bought lumber.

Although the video doesn’t come with instructions, the assembly is straightforward. There’s no complicated joinery, making it accessible to complete beginners.

The required tools are a drill driver, a speed square, and a saw – a miter saw is particularly suitable for this job. You’ll also need sandpaper, wood screws, and your choice of paint or varnish.

Most of the bench can be made from 2×4 or similar-sized lumber, and the design can be modified to suit the materials you have. The construction method remains the same, but the thickness of the seat or legs may vary.

Creating the curve may seem challenging, but it’s achieved with slightly different thicknesses of wooden spacers, eliminating the need for angled wedges. To assemble the bench, decide on the seat depth and width, and cut the planks accordingly.

You can lay them out to determine the appearance you like. The rear spacers are made from the same lumber as the seat slats, while the front ones are narrower to form the curve. If you don’t have an appropriately sized board, cut it down carefully on the miter saw.

Ensure your hands are clear of the blade. Styling the bench can be done by coloring or varnishing it before assembly, as it would be fiddly to do so afterwards. Remove any splinters with sandpaper wrapped around a scrap block.

Then screw the spacer blocks and seat slats together. To maintain even spacing, cut a simple guide piece. The legs can be added by screwing down through the seat, although this may not be sturdy.

Alternatively, metal ‘L’ brackets can be used, screwed to the top of each leg and the underside of the seat, where they won’t be visible. These brackets can be found at your local hardware store.

With these simple steps, you can create a unique and attractive garden bench from basic planks, perfect for relaxing in your yard.