How to Make a Birdhouse Bench

Seat

• 1

  Cut a front and back for the seat frame. Each piece needs to measure 1 1/2 by 2 3/4 by 30 inches. Label the pieces as front and back. Set them aside for later use.

• 2

  Cut two pieces to use as the sides of the seat frame. Cut each side to measure 1 1/2 by 2 3/4 by 12 inches. Label both sides and set aside for later use.

• 3

  Cut four seat boards each measuring 3/4 by 3 1/2 by 31 inches. These boards will be the bench seat.

• 4

  Arrange the front and back boards cut in Step 1, parallel to each other and 12 inches apart. Slide the two side boards inside the ends of the front and back to create a rectangle. Screw the rectangle together using two wood screws at each corner.

• 5

  Arrange the seat boards across the rectangle frame and space them evenly. The front board should overhang the frame by 1/2 inch. Screw the boards in place.

Assembly

• 6

  Cut four legs for the birdhouse bench, each measuring 1 1/2 by 2 3/4 by 26 1/2 inches. Place two of the legs parallel to each other and 31 inches apart. Place the back of the seat against the legs, 16 inches from the bottom of them. Screw the seat to the legs. Flip the seat over and repeat to attach the front legs 16 inches from the bottoms of the legs.

• 7

  Cut two armrests measuring 1 1/2 by 2 3/4 by 17 1/2 inches. Use a jigsaw to cut one end of each armrest into a semi-circle. This will make the armrest comfortable for the bench user. Place one of the armrests across one of the front and one of the back legs. Make sure the rounded end points forward. Screw the armrest in place. Repeat on the opposite side.

• 8

  Measure the distance from the end of one of the armrests to the end of the other. Use this measurement to cut a back support board. Screw the support across the back of the arm rests.

Back Rests

• 9

  Cut each of the back rests from 3/4-by-3 1/2-inch lumber. Cut the center birdhouse board to measure 34 inches long. Cut two mid-sized birdhouses to measure 30 inches long. Cut two small birdhouses to measure 26 inches long.

• 10

  Cut the ends of the birdhouse boards on two 45 degree angles to form a peak. Attach small scraps of lumber to the peaks of the birdhouses to create a roof with a small overhang.

• 11

  Make a 1 1/4-inch hole 4 inches from the top peak in each of the birdhouse boards. This hole is what makes the boards look like birdhouses.

• 12

  Attach the largest bird house in the center of the bench by screwing it to the back support board. Make sure the bottom of the board is touching the seat boards. Attach the two smaller birdhouse boards on each end of the bench by screwing them on in the same manner. Screw the mid-sized birdhouse boards in between the small and large ones. Use two or more screws to attach each board.

• 13

  Sand down the entire bench to remove splinters and rough spots. Pay close attention to the armrests and seat boards.