PUT YOUR FEET UP

In this article I will show you how I went about making a double seat garden bench with a footrest

- Kevin Ravenscroft

Tools and materials

• Wood: 60mm x 40mm planed softwood battens at 2m lengths and 70mm x 18mm planed soft wood 2m lengths for the slats.

• Assorted woodscrews

• Wood saw

• Wood glue

• Chop saw

• Hammer

• Wood paint

• Battery drill

• Countersink

• Drill bits

• 8mm coach bolts, washers, and nuts

Тhere are quite a few of these bench designs on the internet, but true to form, I didn't have a plan as such and just went along with what came into my head along the way. Maybe it is not the best way to work, but that's the way I do it...

The wood I used is really cheap pine; it's not very good but with plenty of sanding it should be okay as I'm going to paint the bench as well.

I will be using power tools which include a battery drill and a chop saw throughout this build, and as such will be wearing personal protective equipment to include ear and eye protection and a dust mask appropriate for the tool I am using.

After some initial thoughts, I came up with a plan of how I was going to approach the garden bench build. The bench will be of a rustic look, but all holes will be countersunk and filled.

After taking some dimensions for height and width from a bench at a local sports club | will make the bench 140cm in length and 50cm wide and the seating height would be 45cm making for a comfortable seating position. To add comfort I will add four supports for the horizontal slats these slats will have a radiused recess using either a jigsaw or bandsaw.

I am keeping the horizontal slats at full length of the bench - this is not only for strength but also for putting items under the console, say snacks, with drinks on the upper deck. the bench will be constructed using coach bolts and screws making for a sturdy and durable bench.

Step-by-step guide