How to Build a Lattice Bench

Set two 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-27-inch boards up on their ends, which will serve as the bench legs. Keep the boards parallel to each other with their long, thin edges facing each other. Put a 1 1/2-by-1 1/2-by-17 1/2-inch board on top of the two other boards, which will serve as the arm rest.

Rearrange the boards so that the ends of the arm rest are even with the outside edges of the bench legs. Make two holes in each end of the arm rest through its top surface. Extend the holes down into each leg board. Set 2 1/2-inch galvanized wood screws in each hole and use the drill to screw them tightly down. Repeat for another set of leg boards and an arm rest.

Hold a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-17 1/2-inch board across two of the connected legs to serve as the seat support. Position the seat support 14 1/2 inches off the ground, with each end flush with the outside edge of the legs. Drill two pilot holes through the seat support and into each leg. Attach the boards with 2 1/2-inch galvanized screws. Repeat for the other seat support on the other leg assembly.

Stand both leg assemblies upright with the help of an assistant and position five 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-48 inch seat boards across the seat supports, so that the widest face of each seat boards rests on the top surface of the seat supports. Push all the boards together tightly so that the front and rear surfaces of the bench are even. Drill two pilot holes down through each seat board and into the seat support board. Attach the seat boards to the seat support boards with 2 1/2-inch galvanized screws.

Position a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-36-inch board, which will be the backrest, perpendicular to the seat boards with its largest face against the rear side of the seat boards. Move the backrest over to be flush with the outside edge of the legs and touching both the leg boards and the seat boards. Predrill four holes through the backrest and into the leg board and one hole through the backrest and into the seat board. Attach the backrest to the adjoining boards with 2 1/2-inch galvanized screws. Repeat for the other end of the bench.

Set a 1 1/2-by-3 1/2-by-51-inch board across the top of the backrest boards, perpendicular to them but in the same plane so the long, skinny side of the top board rests on the ends of the backrest boards. Predrill two holes down through the top of the top board and into each backrest board. Fasten the boards together with 5-inch galvanized screws.

Position a 51-by-36-inch lattice on the rear of the bench and attach it around the edge with 1-inch trim nails. Set 17 1/2-by-27-inch lattices on the outside of each arm rest and attach them around their edge with 1-inch trim nails.