Easy to Build Brick Garden Bench

Building your bench

• Before you start your brick garden bench project you will need to decide what area you want to place the bench in. Consider the space that you have and how big you want your bench to be.

  A nice size for a garden bench is 4 feet long and 3 feet wide. For the best results plan to make the bench 3 feet high.

  If you intend to build a traditional brick bench then you will need to purchase 2-by-4 pieces of wood, standard concrete mix, an 8-inch brick trowel and concrete bricks.

  Make sure that you purchase your bricks from a home improvement or home contracting store. Give them the dimensions and oftentimes you can negotiate a better price if you purchase a certain quantity of concrete bricks. You can choose from red, grey or brown bricks.

  Pick a secluded and sunny spot to place your brick bench in. Create a rustic environment by adding a rustic fence and old metal planters.
  Make sure that the ground is level before starting the project. You will need to use 2-by-4s to frame out the foundation of the bench. This helps to form a square box and keeps the shape of the bench while it is being constructed.

  Once you have the ground level place the 2-by-4 pieces of wood on the ground and secure the corners to form a box. Use screws to secure the wood together. There is no need to build a frame to support the bricks. Once the concrete sets it provides a sturdy and durable seating area.

  When you are ready to pour the concrete, mix it with water until it resembles the thickness of pancake batter.

  Place the bricks on the ground and continue until you have your first layer of bricks. According to Scott Doles, store manager of a Home Depot in Penfield, New York, "It is important to spread a layer of concrete mixture with the trowel between each layer of bricks. Be sure to remove any excess concrete from the sides of the bricks."

  The concrete should only be placed between the layers of the bricks. Continue the process with the second layer and be sure to place the bricks in the opposite direction and continue with this pattern until you reach 3 feet high. Let the concrete set for 24 hours before use.

  When you are finished with the process, the brick garden bench should resemble a square box.