It seems like it’s been forever since I cleaned out the garage and tidied up my lumber storage.
I had many of these 2×4’s left after making my lumber storage benches, so I decided to make some easy 2×4 benches.
I made some years ago that were a little different from Jamie’s old deck wood.
My friend Becky at Beyond The Picket Fence is a whiz at building small benches/stools out of 2×4’s. So I decided to use up these extra pieces to make some for Glendale.
I also had quite a few 2×6’s laying around.
I started with a simple 2×4 box, using Gorilla Wood Glue and screws to secure the four pieces.
I guess I was having so much fun building the small benches I forgot to take some in-progress pictures. You an see that I had several going on at once. Such random things on my work table. ERA—holds paint, a Coke for me, and Louie’s prescription that Jamie’s dad picked up for me at the vet. Totally off subject, but I use to love to took at pictures from our friend Sharon S. on the HGTV Trash to Treasure Message boards…she had the neatest things in the background of her pics…always another project, and some random bits and pieces. Becky (Beyond the Picket Fence) is from that group…. that’s where we met.
A close-up so you can see how I attached my legs. Most of these benches were dependent on the size 2×6’s I had. I cut them in half lengthwise to make the two parts of the seat.
This little red one is the first one I finished.
The paint I used was a little too “flat” to suit me, so I grabbed some Minwax Express Clear to give it a little protection and some sheen. EASY peasy!
You can see I was a painting fool this day! I was slapping paint on right and left! I tried to mimic Becky’s paint technique—which I’ve always LOVED! I think I did pretty good for my first try. I didn’t distress the white bottoms like Becky does… I tried using some stain like she does, but I couldn’t pull it off.
Purple bench/stool
grayish/black bench/stool
blue-gray bench stool
One of these things is NOT like the other—do you remember that little ditty from Sesame Street? Can you spot which one is different? Do you have a preference?
gail
See other fun benches below
Lena Cox says
January 12, 2017 at 3:32 pmThese are really cute. What are the dimensions?
Gail Wilson says
January 29, 2017 at 9:33 amLena,
That’s the beauty of this project, you can make these any size you need. My guess is most of them are about 10-12″ high.
Hope that helps!
gail
Lena says
February 13, 2017 at 11:25 amGail, I made one over the weekend. I don’t have scrap 2x4s (I envy your “stash”) so I bought some and my first bench turned out so cute. Thank you for the idea. My husband didn’t understand why I was making it but I just had to try to build something all by myself and this was the perfect project for me. He’s so good at building that I usually just let him do it so it was confidence building to try this one on my own.
Gail Wilson says
February 13, 2017 at 2:56 pmLena,
I’m so happy you made a bench (it looks great by the way) That is exactly why I’m here-to empower women (particularly) over the age of 50 to stop procrastinating, pick up some power tools and get busy with some DIY!
yay!
gail
Mindi says
October 24, 2013 at 9:19 amThey are so so cute!! I really like them all but I think I like the legs on the sides better! I hope you are feeling ok, take care!
Pat says
October 23, 2013 at 11:39 amI like the different one …of course!
The little grey and black one on the bottom. I saw this on google+ and liked that one right away!
Patricia
Shelley T says
October 22, 2013 at 6:39 pmGreat stools…yes bottom left is different. But mostly I gotta say I am SO glad you went to the hospital when you did! And I am glad to hear you are feeling much better. Take care!!
Sandra B says
October 22, 2013 at 3:51 pmSo great to see you back to building your wonderful furniture. Those benches are so stinkin’ cute, just be sure to rest!!
The Curvy Girl says
October 22, 2013 at 2:55 pmI love this!
Donna in SC says
October 22, 2013 at 1:43 pmGood to see you ‘back’! After being out of commission for a while it’s easy to over-do….so take it easy! LOVE the little benches……now if I can just convince hubby that I need another one…..
girlfromwva says
October 22, 2013 at 11:04 amI love these little benches/stools. What a great thing to use the 2 X 4’s for! Feel Better 🙂 !
Marti Steele says
October 22, 2013 at 10:47 amOh, I love these and will have to make some…..I am terrible at building, I even broke my pocket hole tool, but I think I can do these!!!!!
SanDesigns says
October 22, 2013 at 10:12 amGreat idea, Gail! We have a lot of scrap 2 by 4s from finishing our basement. This would be a great way to make something useful from them.
Pam says
October 22, 2013 at 9:59 amThe simple things…..always so cute. Be sure and take it slow and don’t overdo. Thanks for sharing.
Korrie@RedHenHome says
October 22, 2013 at 9:51 amThese are cute, Gail! You did a great job.
debbie says
October 22, 2013 at 9:17 amOh those are all so cute.. i love little stools and Becky;s site is one of my favorites.. i love her paint technique but cant quite get the same effect. I recently made a little bench too and the grandgirls are using it to stand at the kitchen sink and “help” MeMe wash dishes.
Glad to see you feeling well enough to work on projects,, thats a good sign. Take care Gail and have a great week.
tammigirl says
October 22, 2013 at 9:17 amWe sing that ALL THE TIME at our house. I love them! And you did great with the painting technique.
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
October 22, 2013 at 9:13 amThose are cute and quick to make. The one in the left corner has the legs on the inside of the apron… do I win anything? LOL I learned years ago to be careful with the spacing of the legs on a small bench. I made one and it is really tippy, the legs aren’t far enough apart for support when an adult stands on it (fine for a young child). I suspect that one with the inner legs might be tippy as well, I guess it’s a center-of-gravity thing?
Anne@DesignDreams says
October 22, 2013 at 9:11 amLove it, cute AND sturdy. Great job Gail!
So glad you’re feeling better – what a scare! Take care xox
Leisa says
October 22, 2013 at 9:09 amLove them!
Nancy says
October 22, 2013 at 9:01 amCute benches…glad you’re feeling better, take care of yourself.
Terri says
October 22, 2013 at 8:23 amCUTE little benches…great way to use up all your scraps!
Hope you are feeling better every day!
Inspire Me Heather says
October 22, 2013 at 8:00 amCute benches Gail – take care!!
Holly says
October 22, 2013 at 7:59 amCute stools. I can tell the difference…they are all cute! I hope you are feeling better and still taking it easy.