This Popular Midcentury Bench is So Easy to DIY
If you're looking to add to an outdoor patio or need a fresh way to update your entryway, a bench can be a quick, easy DIY you can finish in just a day with a few extra 2x4s (trust us!). We pulled a page out of George Nelson's midcentury playbook and put a simple spin on the slatted bench for the dream indoor/outdoor piece. Here's how to do it for yourself.
Materials:
2x4s
1x2s or 1x4s
Wood screws
Wood glue
Vice or C-clamp (2x)
Power drill
Hand saw
Safety googles
Dust mask
Sandpaper
Wood stain
Teak oil or Poly
Paintbrushes
Clean rags
1.Prep Your Materials
If you've gone in to purchase your lumber, have your local hardware store cut the pieces to fit. Adjust your measurements to account for your desired height and width, keeping in mind that the smaller 2x4s will need to be cut down at extra 4 inches to accommodate the long 2x4s for the top of your bench.
We build a standard six foot bench and used the following measurements:
Seven 2x4s at 72inches
12 1x2s (or 1x4s) at 20in.
14 2x4s at 16in.
If you have lumber at home, you can cut it yourself using a hand or circular saw. Use safety google and a sawdust before cutting, making sure to secure the lumber with vices if you aren't using a worktable.
2. Lay Out Your Lumber
Start by staining all the cut pieces. Outer edges can be stained later, but keep it mind that it will be harder to finish the interior slats when they are assembled.
Use a scrap of wood from the cuttings to test for color. This test piece can be used as a guide to keep variations in the wood from changing the color too much. We used pine across of our wood for a consistent stain and several layers of Minwax's gunstock stain for a warm mid-century tone. Stain as desired.
Once the stain is dry, lay out a long 2x4 and two shorter pieces on either side, forming a U-shape. Apply wood glue to the end to make a frame. Layer the 1x2s (1x4s) on top of the shorter studs and drill down pilot holes to bind the two 2x4s pieces.
3. Stack the Layers
Add wood glue between the 1x2s (1x4s) and the 2x4s before securing with wood screws. Repeat on the other side.
If your wood is warped or knotted, build the frame and vice or c-clamp the beams together to create a tight seal and let the wood glue bind the piece before layering.
Continue adding the layers of 2x4 and 1x2 (1x4) until you've reach your desired width. Then leave to dry.
4. Finish and Seal the Bench
Using 120 grit sandpaper, sand down the end of the bench to account for any inconsistencies in the studs. Flip the bench up so it's standing and sand off any spurs or jagged edges on top of the bench as well.
Always use a dust mask and googles when sanding large areas!
Brush off sawdust with a clean rag before re-applying stain where needed. Once dry, liberally coat with teak oil or poly to seal the stain.
Leave overnight for the oil to seep in or the poly to cure. Use out on the patio or indoors at the dining table.
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