Look at this scrumptious perfectly weathered BLUE deck wood.
How to construct a simple bench out of reclaimed 2×4 lumber
This is the simple construction of these little benches. I made a box as long as the longest board. The end pieces were made so that the simple bench would be about 14 inches wide.If you’re looking for really easy 2×4 stools, check out this tutorial for 2×4 benches and stools
The little scrap piece at the end is a guide. I made the simple bench so that it would have an overhang the width of a 2×4 thickness. While I had my box laid out, I put a 2×4 on each of the 4 sides to measure to see if everything was going to fit correctly.
Dry fit 2×4 slats
The seat slats are 11 inches long. You can see here that it is resting on the scrap piece, allowing the overhang I wanted.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have lots of workbench space. It’s more difficult to work on the ground, but in a pinch it works!
The box was constructed with screws and wood glue. I also used glue and screws on the inside brace pieces. A countersink bit was not needed because typically 2×4’s are soft enough to sink the screws. However I did make pilot holes for EVERY screw. The wood was brittle and I didn’t want to take any chances of splitting it. That is why you see 2 drills. One was manned with a drill bit, the other with a screw bit. That makes things go so much faster. If you only have one drill, I suggest investing in a second one. Pawn shops are great places to shop for small power tools.
Add 2×4 slats using a nail gun and screws
All the slats were attached first. I screwed the end one on, then used glue and my nail gun to attach the rest of the slats. When I got to the last one (the other end) I used screws again. Nail guns are great for a temporary hold until you can secure the wood permanently with screws.
How to join two boards with a 45° angle
After attaching all the slats, I worked on the side pieces to box in the slats of the simple 2×4 bench.
Add legs to simple 2×4 bench
After I added both side boards, I attached the legs. Because there is an overhang, the legs fit perfectly under the side boards. I used screws on the legs. These benches are VERY heavy. I can move one by myself, but to carry one from the very back of the yard to the deck was nearly impossible to do by myself!Make a matching table for your simple benches
I am not a math whiz! I came up with the simplest way to make this table! Jamie wanted it to be a square, the same size as the bench. I cut enough boards to make it that size. Then imagine laying all of those boards down on a table (upside down), laying those small scraps on each of the four sides. That is what I did, then I measured the inside dimensions to figure out what size box I needed to make. Remember, I needed the overhang to allow the legs to fit perfectly on each side.
Distress wood with orbital sander
Christina says
July 20, 2018 at 5:05 pmWhat an awesome way to recycle the old wood! And you can enjoy them on your new deck! The color is beautiful and I love how it’s distressed!
Bryan Patterson says
July 19, 2018 at 3:29 pmThey turned out great love that color
Brette says
April 26, 2017 at 2:46 pmSimple carpentry projects that even I can do. This is what I like. Keep ’em coming.
Wendi@H2OBungalow says
August 28, 2016 at 5:54 pmWow, first the benches are awesome! It’s really something how you’re able to repurpose pretty much everything! Second, I saw the dates of the original comments and realize how many…many project you have under your belt! You have so much talent!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
August 29, 2016 at 10:40 amThanks Wendi! Back in the day….I posted several projects every week. 🙂 I LOVE what I do. I just wish I could do more, definitely looking forward to cooler weather.
gail
Javier Reza says
October 1, 2015 at 10:00 pmExcelent idea thank you for sharing , If you add a small chamfer in the bottom of the legs it will help to prevent tear out
Adina Johnson says
September 14, 2015 at 10:48 amWow Gail – way to make those scraps into great. I love the benches!
Susan Homeroad says
September 14, 2015 at 6:34 amWow Gail! Way to clean up the wood pile 🙂
Sue at Blu says
January 23, 2014 at 12:38 pmVery thorough tutorial! Can’t wait to try this…like Donna…got some pallet wood ready to go!
girlfromwva says
January 23, 2014 at 12:28 pmlooks so nice!!!! great how to’s!
Kelly B says
January 23, 2014 at 12:12 pmLove these and thanks for the great tutorial! Quick question–What size and type screws did you use?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
January 23, 2014 at 12:20 pmKelly,
I almost always use drywall screws, which wouldn’t be the best choice for these outdoor benches. So I would go with deck screws, 2.5 inches, countersinking the screws slightly to get more bite into the second board.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.
gail
Ricky T says
August 3, 2013 at 2:12 pmJust a thought about not having two drills….you can also buy a drill/bit to do the job of two drills. They are so easy to use, I use them all the time and it saves a bunch of time.
Sanlea says
April 16, 2011 at 9:47 amI love this bench, it looks like its a very solid one. I may have to try making one this summer. WONDERFUL
Nina says
March 9, 2011 at 2:06 amCame across your blog when looking for picture ideas for 2 x 4 furniture. This is awesome! You have definitely inspired me! I will have to check back often.
muralimanohar says
July 12, 2010 at 8:42 amThat is SO awesome!! 😀 I just made myself a bench for the pool area, and I love it, but I think I could DEF find a use for another bench like that one! 😀
Lisa says
June 13, 2010 at 2:14 amAmazing job on the benches! I just love the color! Congrats on all your features this week, this project was certainly worthy. Wonderful project.
kaitlyn sullivan says
June 11, 2010 at 3:55 pmthese came out so beautifully! what an amazing job. i love how aged they look.
Jennie says
June 6, 2010 at 11:47 pmHey, I found you over at Someday Crafts…I love your little benches! I laughed as I started to read your post because I have a HUGE pile of wood just like that in MY backyard. SO FUN! I can’t wait to try something like this. Thanks for the idea.
Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite
michelle@somedaycrafts says
June 6, 2010 at 7:18 amThis is awesome! I love the color! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
Dianna says
June 6, 2010 at 2:25 amGreat carpenter work, love the benches.
Funky Junk Interiors says
June 5, 2010 at 6:12 amI totally wanna work alongside you. What a riot that would be! I need to go reread this again VERY SLOW to let it sink in. I found a ton of old palette wood I need a good use for… hmm.. 🙂
Thanks for linking up to SNS!
Donna
Homemade Quilts by Granny says
June 5, 2010 at 5:42 amIts really great that you can find ways to use old wood…saving so much money and still get to enjoy your hobby makeing useful items….your good. Trish
Michelle @ Sweet Something says
June 5, 2010 at 4:18 amGreat job Gail! Way to recycle! The color really is fantastic and the sanding is perfect!
PS The mouthwash tips are great!
Anita says
June 5, 2010 at 3:19 amGreat reuse of those old boards. The bench looks so good. And the blue is so pretty!
Pam says
June 5, 2010 at 3:00 amLove it. That looks so cute.
Londen @ Sixty-Fifth Avenue says
June 5, 2010 at 1:12 amFabulous green project! And I love the color!
The Hillbilly Housewife says
June 4, 2010 at 11:00 pmHow am I ever supposed to remember all these great ideas you put on the bottom? I just called my daughter and told her that she needs listerine. She wanted to know how I could smell her breath over the phone. LOL
Corn in my Coffee-Pot says
June 4, 2010 at 8:13 pmThat’s definitely a great use for that old ,otherwise destined to landfill,wood. I love the blue! That’s a great job.
Melanie Beth says
June 4, 2010 at 5:30 pmlove the bench, and the way the blue paint looks! you’d think that bench had been around for years!
also love the lists of other uses for household items – although being a hair stylist i would recommend against using listerine in your hair! ph is too acidic, would not be good.
Kate says
June 4, 2010 at 5:26 pmNice job!
Heather says
June 4, 2010 at 3:18 pmI love these! I want some!!!
Becolorful says
June 4, 2010 at 2:57 pmStopping back to say thank you for your kind words on my Alzheimer’s post.
Pam
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says
June 4, 2010 at 2:56 pmYeah! I’ve got this little alcove in our front porch that has been begging for a bench… thanks for the great tut!
Suzanne says
June 4, 2010 at 1:52 pmLove everything about the bench. It’s amazing how you repurpose wood — such an inspiration!
Mardell says
June 4, 2010 at 1:47 pmGiiiiirrrrl, you are GOOD!! I just love the bench & table! And the weathered look is perfection to a “T!”
Have a great weekend. :o)
Robyn says
June 4, 2010 at 1:36 pmAWESOME tuturial and I LOVE the re-use of the wood! CHEAP and GREEN! The bench is so sweet and a great color! Hey, is your little guy a Brussels Griffon? I can’t tell from the photo but he sure looks sweet!
the VG huis says
June 4, 2010 at 1:19 pmwell done! perfect colour too! Have a great weekend ~Stacey
Paige (Final Clothes-Out) says
June 4, 2010 at 11:54 amThey look great! I don’t think I could’ve done as well.
frugal farmhouse design says
June 4, 2010 at 11:15 amI LOVE the look of this bench, the wash of blue is perfect. Thanks for the tutorial, I will be making use of it. All the best, Lori
Is your dog a Griffon?
Granny J says
June 4, 2010 at 9:59 amGreat job on the benches and table. Louie is adorable. I’ll bet he’s already missing Jamie.
Rose says
June 4, 2010 at 9:09 amGreat tutorial on how you made the benches. I really love the way they look!
Great tip on splicing the wood together. You can’t even see it until you pointed it out!
Vicki says
June 4, 2010 at 9:01 amThey have turned out really good and you are very clever 🙂 I wish I had a clever person like you living in this house 🙂
Michelle says
June 4, 2010 at 7:18 amYou are amazing! Lovely!
Pam says
June 4, 2010 at 7:12 amYour woodworking skills are solid! Well done! I love the way you’ve repurposed the wood into this simple faded blue bench; it’s awesome!