How to Make a Bench From 2X4 Stud Brackets

Wooden benches make an effective, functional addition to any room of the home. You can make your own wooden bench as a do-it-yourself project using 2-by-4-inch studs. Stud brackets will allow you to easily assemble the bench and add stability to the overall bench assembly. The bench can serve as extra seating in a living space or provide outdoor seating in the garden or patio space. Adapt the dimensions to suit your space.

2 two-by-fours, 32 inches long
4 two-by-fours, 13 inches long
3-inch wood screws
Screw gun
4 stud brackets
4 two-by-fours, 16 inches long
1 two-by-four, 29 inches long
3/4-inch furniture grade plywood panel, 16-by-32-inch
2-inch decorative head wood screws
Wood finish
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Place the two 32-inch two-by-fours parallel to each other on a work surface with the 2-by-32-inch sides resting flat. Space the boards 13 inches apart from the inside edges.
- 2
  Insert one 13-inch two-by-four between each end of the 32-inch two-by-fours from Step 1 to form a rectangular assembly. This is the seat assembly. The 2-by-13-inch sides should rest flat on the work surface.
- 3
  Drive two evenly spaced 3-inch wood screws through the outside sides of the 32-inch two-by-fours into the ends of the 13-inch two-by-fours using a screw gun to fasten the assembly together.
- 4
  Center a stud bracket on each corner of the seat assembly. Fasten the brackets to the assembly by driving 3-inch wood screws through the mounting holes in the brackets into the seat assembly boards using a screw gun.
- 5
  Insert one end of the 16-inch two-by-fours into the stud brackets to form legs for the seat assembly. Fasten the legs to the brackets by driving 3-inch wood screws through the mounting holes into the 16-inch two-by-four leg boards.
- 6
  Place one 13-inch two-by-four between the bottom ends of the legs to connect them together. Make sure the ends of the boards are flush with the leg boards. Drive two evenly spaced 3-inch wood screws through the leg boards into the ends of the 13-inch two-by-four leg connector boards. Turn the assembly upright so that it rests on the 13-inch two-by-four leg connector boards and the bottom of the leg boards.
- 7
  Center a 29-inch two-by-four between the leg connector boards at the base of the assembly. The 4-by-29-inch side of the board should be flat against the work surface. Drive two evenly spaced 3-inch wood screws through the outside of the connector boards into the ends of the 29-inch two-by-four to secure it to the rest of the assembly. This board provides support at the base of the bench assembly.
- 8
  Lay a 3/4-by-16-by-32-inch furniture grade plywood panel over the top of the seat assembly. Make sure that the outside edges of the panel are flush with the outside edges of the seat assembly. Drive 2-inch decorative head wood screws through the panel every 2-inches into the seat assembly.
- 9
  Brush two even coats of wood finish over the entire assembly using a paintbrush. Wait four hours after the first coat before applying the second coat. Allow the final coat to dry 24 hours before use of the bench.

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