How to Build a Two-Person Bench

Bench

• 1

  Cut four 2-by-4-inch boards, each measuring 17 inches long. These boards will be the legs of the bench. Set them aside.

• 2

  Cut four 2-by-6-inch boards measuring 16 inches long. These boards are the support boards for the legs of the bench.

• 3

  Place two of the leg boards on a working surface. Arrange the two boards so they are laying parallel to each other and 7 inches apart. Both of the leg boards should be laying on their wider sides.

• 4

  Place one of the support boards over the two leg boards. The board should be on top of the two legs, laying flat. Slide it up to the top of the two legs and screw it in place with three 2-inch wood screws on each side. Install a second support board, parallel with the first and 6 inches below it. The two support boards should be perpendicular with the legs.

• 5

  Repeat steps three and four to complete a second leg formation.

• 6

  Cut three 2-by-6-inch boards to use as the seat boards of the bench. Each piece needs to measure 48 inches long. Position each of the boards on a flat space next to each other. Each board should be lying on its wide side.

• 7

  Set the two leg formations up. Position the two formations parallel to each other and 44 inches apart. Place the 48-inch seat boards on top of the two leg formations. Arrange the seat boards so they hang over the leg formations by 2 inches on each side. Attach each leg board to the leg formations with three 3-inch wood screws at each location where the boards meet.

Finishing

• 8

  Cut two 2-by-4 boards, each measuring 1 1/2 feet long. Cut a 45-degree angle at the end of each board. Slide one of the boards under the seat of the bench. Arrange the board so the bottom touches one of the lower support boards, and the top touches the underside of the bench seat. Screw the support board in place with three 3-inch wood screws at each meeting location. Repeat to install the second support board on the opposite side.

• 9

  Sand the entire bench structure. Pay particular attention to areas such as the sides of the seat where legs will rub.

• 10

  Paint a high-quality wood stain on the bench. This will help protect the boards from weather and give the bench a finished look. Allow the stain to dry completely.

• 11

  Fill the screw holes in with wood filler according to package instructions. Allow the filler to dry completely.