How to Build a Farmhouse Bench (for under $20 in supplies)
This farmhouse bench is so cute! I can’t wait to show you guys how I built it!
Building a bench isn’t too hard. I actually built this entire thing 100 percent by myself, which really impressed my husband. I know that if I can do it, you can do it too.
It is 76 inches long, and can easily seat four adults. It is the perfect bench for anywhere in your house, or even outside.
I’m using mine in my entryway, but it would also look adorable next to a dining room table, or imagine it out back by the firepit. I actually built a 2×4 garden bench that I use by my firepit- seriously, check it out, it’s adorable.
And did I mention it only cost about $20 in lumber? That’s pretty cool! (Please note: lumber prices vary by location. For me, in Utah, it cost about $20 in lumber. You may be a little more or less depending on prices in your area.)
Start by downloading the plans, for $2.99 here:
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Farmhouse Bench$3.99
Materials:
(Here’s a little tip: I buy everything from the Home Depot online, then I just click the “pick up in store” option, and they have everything on a cart and ready for me when I get there. It’s AMAZING!
- Building Plans- download above
- 7- 2×4 studs
- 2.5 inch grabber screws
- 2.5 inch pocket hole screws
- Wood Glue
- Wood Filler
- Stain or Paint (I used American Walnut stain from Rustoleum and DecoArt’s Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in “everlasting” for the paint)
Tools:
- Miter Saw
- Kreg Jig This was the project that made me fall in love with my Kreg Jig. If you don’t have one, buy one right now! They are less than $100 on Amazon, and it will change your furniture building life.
- Sander and 150 grit sandpaper
- Drill (this Ryobi drill/ driver kit is what I have and I LOOOVE it!)
- Countersink Drill Bit (comes with the Kreg Jig)
- Measuring Tape
- Pencil
- Eye and Hearing Protection
Cut List:
- 4- 2×4’s @ 76 inches
- 2- 2×4’s @ 14 inches
- 1- 2×4 @ 58 inches
- 1- 2×4 @ 54 inches
- 4- 2×4’s @ 15.5 inches. Both ends cut at 10 degrees off square. Ends are parallel.
- 2 – 2×4 @ 12.5 inches. Both ends cut at 10 degrees off square. Ends are not parallel. (12.5″ from long point to long point).
- 2 – 2×4 @ 13 3/8 inches. Both ends cut at 45 degrees off square. Ends ARE parallel.
Download Farmhouse Bench Building Plans:
Download the building plans, including the step by step instructions for this bench here:
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Farmhouse Bench$3.99
For $20 in supplies, this DIY farmhouse bench is a project you should definitely tackle this weekend. You could even let your husband help if you want.
If you liked this project, I would love it if you would share it with a friend. You can hover your mouse over the image below and pin it to your pinterest board, or share it on Facebook or Instagram. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for more ideas like this!
If you used this tutorial in your own home, I would love to see photos and share them here on my blog! Please email completed photos to Nat@thecreativemom.com
I would also love if you would share this project, or save it to your Pinterest board for later! You can hover your mouse over the image above and click the “save†button, or share this on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
If you liked this project, you might like some of my other DIY projects:
great
great post, this is amazing ideas about the Farmhouse table, Really I love your DIY project and also, appreciate your work. good job
good job!
this an informative article and I will appreciate your work, keep it’s up. Thanks
You just gave me the idea to surprise my son on his birthday… Thank you so much
I purchased plans for the bench but have not received then. Also emailed my PayPal receipt. How do I get the plans?
Hi Karen,
Upon purchase, you will receive a confirmation email. The link to download is in that confirmation email. If you did not receive it, please email Nat@thecreativemom.com
Thanks!
Natalie
Love your site and love this idea. this work perfect for my farmhouse!! Do you have a blog about the white card catalog on the desk? I am searching for on. by the way thanks for sharing and keep on sharing more helpful stuff.
Our supports did fit. Looking at the other plans, the boards should’ve been 15.25†not 15.5â€. Thankful for our insight to grab an extra 2×4. Just a helpful tip for others thank you
*didnt fit
Thanks for sharing this information on this bench but you really should have more detail in your instructions, nice design but horrible execution.
Couldn’t agree more. Also, would have been more accurate to describe the leg angles as being beveled. If you truly just make angle cuts at the ends with a basic miter saw you won’t have a flat surface for the 14 inch piece
Agreed. We are pretty handy and are having a hard time with this. We called it quits for the night. Details are key when giving instructions!!
Unfortunately this looks like typical click bait 🙁 It says “how to” in the title but there are no actual instructions, just a TON of intrusive ads. Disappointing that someone would do this to others.
Would love to try this, but links are screwed up and the only pic’s that will come up are all the ads. Which there are so many that it locks up my tablet that I normally use for doing projects.
I am trying to follow the instructions but none of the photos are there 🙁 I’m afraid I am going to have to fin something different. But I love the look of the bench. 🙁
Hi Samantha, I updated the post to include the full instructions. I’m sorry about the technical difficulties – everything should be good to go now.
Having read this I thought it was rather informative. I
appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this informative
article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!
Pics won’t post on your instructions. Can’t wait to try this
Hi Sandy, I’ve updated the post now, so everything should work good. Sorry for the technical difficulties.
Can you please re-upload all the pics. They’re gone.
Can someone please point out the plans on how to make this I can’t find it anywhere on this page
Am I right in thinking you don’t need a compound mitre saw, just a regular ole mitre saw will do it? Nothing is cut one 2 angles, right?
I made a slight modification – I used two 2 x 8s as the seat instead of 2 x 4s. Cost was the same, made for a more even seat. Otherwise, loved it!
Hello – I’ve made all of my cuts, but with each leg, I find that the top piece (14″ cut) does not sit flush with the two boards that support it. Is this normal?
This is awesome! I need a bench for our small entryway and this may be the one! Headed over to Home Depot now to get all the details!
how do you attached the diagonal supports?
I’m wondering the same thing. The attachment will need to be strong, but it won’t be possible to use the Kreg Jig for this angle. I’m about to build this bench. If you came up with an answer (since your comment was a year ago) can you share your solution? Otherwise, I’ll figure it out. Hope your bench building went well!
Hi there,
I used the kreg jig to attach the angled pieces as well. I’ll update my post with a picture.
Thanks, Natalie. I’m halfway through building my first one. I’m trying to understand the diagonal braces. Is their purpose to give extra support to the legs so they don’t splay? If so, they would need to attach directly to the legs. If the purpose is to give extra support to the seat, then they make sense the way they are. Also, I’ve seen them in the reverse direction, but don’t understand the purpose. Are they purely decorative? I’m building several of these for my classroom. They need to be strong as a brick. Thanks!
How do you attach the diagonal supports?
I am making the bench right now following the home depot directions but I can’t figure out how high from the ground you attached the first brace to the side legs to create a full leg. WOW that doesn’t make sense. I am doing the very first step but have no idea how high to attache the first piece. I am worried that will effect the cross bars later. Any tips?
Hi Tamara,
I attached my brace 2 inches from the ground. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the comment!
Wonderful! Thank you. I followed a mix of your and ana whites plans and figured out you did 2 inches from the ground and also 1 1/2 from the sides on the top. (for anyone else who tries to build it) It turned out great! Thanks for the fantastic tutorial Natalie!
Love the bench for my front porch that I have given a facelift, to. My dad and I are building this together. It was a little more than $20 but worth it! Ty!
did you use the chalk paint and since it’s outdoors did you seal it with anything?
If you use any painted furniture outdoors (chalk paint included), you should always seal it with an outdoor polyurethane.
Love the bench! Wondering what paint color is on your wall in these pics?
Love the bench!! Wondering what color you have on your walls in these pics?
The paint color is BERG from Sherwin Williams!
I can’t find the paint color “berg” in my SW fan deck. Are you sure that was the name or brand?
This looks fantastic!! Unfortunately, you didn’t link to the HD blog correctly, so I had to go dig through their archive to find it 🙁 For anyone else who doesn’t want to have to dig, here’s a direct link to the post: http://ext.homedepot.com/community/blog/diy-project-farmhouse-bench/
Thanks for sharing! I SO want to make this for my farmhouse style kitchen table! 🙂
Thank you for posting the link!
Thank you!
Thanks Michelle. I’ve updated the link now, so we should be good 🙂
The bench looks great in your space. I love the stained top and painted legs!
This turned out fantastic Natalie! And so excited for you to be featured on the Home Depot blog!
Love the look and the price! These projects are a reminder to start building my power tool collection. Thanks Natalie!
Great bench! Hard to believe it only cost $20.00. Great job!
It’s AWESOME & exactly what we need in a few places in our new home. For $20 – I can make one for each spot. FABULOUS!