DIY small planter bench – plans include a free PDF download, material list, measurements, drawings, and step-by-step directions.
DIY Small Planter Bench – Overview
DIY Small Planter Bench – Material List
Shopping List
Shopping List
- 3 – 2×4 – 8′
- 2 – 2×2 – 8′
- 4 – 1×6 – 8′
- 3″ deck screws
- 2 1/2″ deck screws
- 1 1/2″ deck screws
Cutting List
Cutting List
- 2 – 2×4 – 4′
- 2 – 2×4 – 1′ 4 1/2″
- 2 – 2×4 – 1′ 5 1/4″
- 1 – 2×4 – 1′ 1 1/2″
- 2 – 2×4 – 1′ 10″ (45-degree angle cuts/opposite directions)
- 2 – 2×4 – 1′ 9 1/2″ (45-degree angle cuts/opposite directions)
- 4 – 2×2 – 1′ 4 1/2″
- 2 – 2×2 – 1′
- 1 – 2×2 – 1′ 1 1/2″
- 3 – 1×6 – 1′ 3″
- 12 – 1×6 – 1′ 6″
- 3 – 1×6 – 2′ 1 1/2″
- Step 1
Cut two 2×4’s to 4′ long. Cut three 2×4’s to 1′ 4 1/2″ long. Assemble the planter bench frame as shown on illustration above using 3″ deck screws.
- Step 2
Cut two 2×4’s to 1′ 5 1/4″ long for the planter bench legs. The legs will be 3/4″ below the top of the frame, see picture above for details, pre-drill holes and install legs using 2 1/2″ deck screws. Cut one 2×4 to 1′ 1 1/2″ long for the leg brace. Attach the leg brace as shown on illustration above, pre-drill and use 3″ deck screws to install.
- Step 3
Cut two 2×2’s to 1′ 4 1/2″ long and two 2×2’s to 1′ long for the planter box frame. Pre-drill holes and assemble as shown on illustration above using 3″ deck screws.
- Step 4
Cut three 1×6’s to 1′ 3″ long. Pre-dill holes and screw 1 1/2″ deck screws through the 1×6 slats and into the planter box frame.
- Step 5
Cut twelve 1×6’s to 1′ 6″ long. Install the 1×6 slats to the 2×2 planter box frame as shown on illustration above. Pre-drill holes and screw 1 1/2″ deck screws through the 1×6 slats and into the 2×2 planter box frame.
- Step 6
Attach the planter box to the bench frame as shown on illustration above. Pre-drill holes and screw 1 1/2″ deck screws through the 1×6 slats and into the 2×4 bench frame.
- Step 7
Cut two 2×2’s to 1′ 4 1/2″ and one 2×2 to 1′ 1 1/2″ long. Install the 2×2’s as shown on illustration above. The 2×2’s will be 3/4″ below the frame so that the seat slats can be flush with the frame. Pre-drill holes and attach 2×2’s to the bench frame using 3″ deck screws.
- Step 8
Cut three 1×6’s to 2′ 1 1/2″ long for the seat slats. Install as shown on illustration above, pre-drill holes and screw 1 1/2″ deck screws through the 1×6 seat slats and into the 2×2 seat supports.
- Step 9
Cut two 2×4’s to 1′ 10″ long and two 2×4’s to 1′ 9 1/2″ long. Cut 45-degree angle cuts to the ends of the 2×4’s in the opposite direction. Install as shown on picture above. Pre-drill holes and use 3″ deck screws to attach the 2×4 trim to the planter box.
Question: I’m looking over these plans, and am wondering if I could use pocket hole screws to attach many of the adjoining pieces (to hide screws). Am I thinking correctly? Thanks!