15 DIY Deck Bench Plans You Can Build Today (with Pictures)

A deck is a wonderful addition to any home. It looks attractive and provides you with a level space to store your grill and outdoor seating so you can enjoy your summer more. If you are a woodworker, a deck bench is a great project to tackle as you can usually build it cheaper than you can purchase it and there is a better chance it will match your deck if you DIY.

If you are looking for a new DIY deck bench project but aren’t sure where to start, keep reading while we list several great projects you can build today. We’ll give you a picture and a short summary of each so you can learn more about it to see if it’s right for you.

The Top 15 DIY Deck Bench Plans

1. How To Specialist Deck Bench

The How to Specialist Deck Bench is a fantastic first project that will attach to almost any deck. You use mostly 2X4s to build it and a few nails. There are no difficult cuts, and you should be able to have it finished in a day or two even if you have very little experience. Once complete, you will want to sand it down and apply a varnish or weather-resistant paint to keep it looking great.

2. My Outdoor Plans 2X4 Deck Bench

The My Outdoor Plans 2X4 Deck Bench is another beginner plan that results in durable and portable benches that look great on any deck. As the name suggests, you only need a few 2X4s to complete it, and many people might already have some lying around the house. These benches are comfortable, and there is room for two or even three people.

3. Flour Sack Mama Wooden Deck Bench

The Flour Sack Mama Wooden Deck Bench is an easy-to-build bench that attaches right to your deck’s posts to create a stable bench perfect for looking at large landscapes. It works well as a single or two-person bench, and you can probably complete it in a single day with very few tools or lumber. Since you use many 2X4s to create the seat, it’s a perfect chance to use any old lumber you have lying around because you’ll only see the edge of it.

4. DIY Deck Plans Composite Deck

The DIY Deck Plans Composite Deck is a little more difficult to build than the easy projects, but it results in a durable and attractive bench. The maintenance-free composite material helps it last for years, and it’s large enough to fit several people. It’s a perfect choice for looking over a large landscape.

5. Free Garden Plans Deck Bench

The Free Garden Plans Deck Bench is a moderately easy-to-build bench similar to others on this list but slightly larger. Strong supports make it durable and sturdy so you can fit more than one person, and it doesn’t require any advanced tools to build. You should be able to complete this project in a day or two, and the reason it’s a moderate difficulty is that some holes require a router, but if you have this tool, it’s easy to build.

6. Pink When Outdoor Patio Bench

The Pink When Outdoor Patio Bench is an attractive old-style bench that is inexpensive to build. The legs require some angle cutting that needs to be correct, or the bench can wobble, so it’s better suited to woodworkers with experience cutting angles, though if you are patient and don’t mind a lot of sanding, you can straighten out any mistakes.

Related Read: 6 DIY Potting Bench Plans You Can Build Today

7. Build Eazy Bench Seat

The Build Eazy Bench Seat is one of the more difficult benches to build because it’s very large and circles around the entire deck, making it well suited to large families and gatherings. It requires several posts, which can be hard to install on the deck, but the instructions are very clear and detailed, so a less experienced builder with the right tools and plenty of patience will likely be successful.

8. Construct 101 DIY Outdoor Bench

The Construct 101 DIY Outdoor Bench is a two-seater style bench that is extremely comfortable and durable. It’s an advanced build that may take a few days to complete, but it provides arm supports and plenty of space for drinks and other items, so it is a great choice for people that like to drink their morning coffee on the porch while reading the newspaper and conversing. It uses primarily 2X4s, so it’s not too expensive, but there are a lot of cuts, and many of them are angled.

Related Read: 13 Free DIY Pallet Bench Plans You Can Make Today

9. Madness and Method Deck Bench

The Madness and Method Deck Bench is a project that uses bench brackets to ease construction and help make it more durable. The instructions are simple to follow, and plenty of images will help keep you on track throughout the build. You can make a bench in about 8 hours, and you won’t need any advanced tools to finish it. You can build more benches if you need additional seating.

10. Better Homes and Gardens Deck Bench

The Better Homes and Gardens Deck Bench is a moderately difficult plan that is a good choice for intermediate woodworkers. The author provides plenty of tips for making the seating more comfortable and stable, and the instructions are easy to follow with plenty of illustrations, so you should be able to finish it in a day or two. You can also customize it if you need more seating or want additional benches.

11. Ask The Builder Deck Bench

The Ask The Builder Deck Bench plan shows you how to create extremely durable and attractive deck benches without needing multiple expensive tools. These benches are box-like, but the author suggests tilting the seat to the same angle as deck chairs to help improve comfort, especially if you like to spend time reading or relaxing. The downside is that you can’t lie down on them.

12. Grandma’s House DIY Deck Bench

The Grandma’s House DIY Deck Bench is a great project for people with flat decks with no rails. It’s customizable, so you can build a smaller bench or one that goes around the deck to provide more seating. There are no backs for the benches, but they are easy to build and wide, so you can lie down on them and store your supplies. It primarily uses 2×4 boards that are common and easy to find, and the project will only take a few hours per bench.

13. Decks DIY Deck Bench

The Decks DIY Deck Bench is a fun project that helps you build 8-foot deck benches as needed. The instructions are clear and easy to understand, and most people like that you don’t need any expensive tools to finish it. It primarily uses different-sized boards, so it’s not that expensive, and the author provides multiple tips to help make the building process easier. The finished bench is durable and has plenty of seating.

14. Kreg Custom Deck Bench

The Kreg Custom Deck Bench is a fantastic project that results in a high-quality, attractive, and comfortable bench. It’s more difficult than some of the other benches on this list because there are many angled cuts and the instructions are limited. Still, it’s well worth the effort, especially if you are an experienced woodworker, and it only takes a day or two to complete.

15. Remodelaholic Deck Bench

The Remodelaholic Bench is a great plan that involves building benches right into the railing. This is a big project, but there are no difficult cuts, so a beginner can build it if they take their time and follow the instructions carefully. The finished project is sturdy and provides plenty of seating without reducing the deck size. The author primarily uses 2×6 boards that are inexpensive and easy to find.

Summary

As you can see, there are quite a few options available for the woodworker that wants to provide more seating on the deck. If you are new and don’t yet have a lot of tools or experience with angled cuts, we recommend starting with one of the many easy projects.

See Also: 

• Do I Need a Permit to Build a Deck? What You Need To Know!
• Staining vs Painting Your Deck: Which is Better?

Featured Image Credit: JayMantri, Pixabay