How to Build a DIY Rustic Bench – Free Building Plans

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Learn how to build a DIY rustic bench with these free building plans. This primitive look bench is perfect for the end of a bed, a mud room, or to use as an outdoor coffee table.

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I made this DIY rustic bench a little while ago when I gave our bedroom a no-cost makeover and I got a lot of questions about it!

Today, I’m finally sharing the simple building plans for the bench with you.

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This primitive bench is a wonderful beginner’s woodworking project, and it only uses a few 2×4’s and 2×6’s so it’s very inexpensive to build.

Simple ways to refresh your porch like painting a front door, using what you have on hand, cleaning and planting easy planters

Not only does this DIY bench look great at the end of a bed, but it also works as an outdoor coffee table. Here it is on our porch!

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Ready to build this simple, rustic bench! Let’s go!

Materials:

*Note: If you want to make the bench a different width, adjust your materials and cut list accordingly.

  • one 2 x 6 x 10 (I used pine) piece of lumber
  • one 2 x 6 x 8 piece of lumber
  • one 2 x 4 x 10 piece of lumber (or one 2 x 4 x 8 if you only want one vertical piece on the top front)
  • one 1 x 3 x 6 piece of lumber
  • wood stain
  • 2″ long deck screws
  • drill
  • sandpaper / electric sander
  • miter saw

Cut List:

  • four 1’4″ long 2 x 6
  • two 11″ long 1 x 3
  • two 4′ 3″ long 2 x 6
  • two 4’3″ long 2 x 4

*NOTE: If you want to stain this piece, you can stain each piece after cutting and before assembling to give the finished bench its best look.

Instructions:

Free Rustic Primitive Bench Building Plans

First, cut the leg pieces from the 2 x 6 x 8 lumber with a mitre saw. You’ll need four 1’4″ long pieces. Then, cut an angle off of one side of the bottom of each piece. Use the illustration above as a guide, but cut the angle however you think looks best for your bench.

Then, cut two pieces from the 1 x 3 x 6 lumber that are 11″ long to create braces.

Place two of the leg pieces together with the angled cuts facing as shown above. Then, lay a brace piece over top about 1/2 way from the tops of the legs. Secure it in place with two deck screws. Repeat to build a second leg.

Free DIY Rustic Primitive Bench Building Plans

Next, cut two 4’3″ pieces from the 2 x 6 x 10 to create the top bench pieces. Secure these to each leg with 2-4 deck screws so that the legs are about 2 1/2″ from each edge.

Free DIY Rustic Primitive Bench Building Plans

Finally, cut two 4’3″ pieces from the 2 x 4 x 10. (You could also cut just one piece if you only want one horizontal trim piece on the front of the bench, like the one I created.) Cut an angle on each side of each piece as illustrated above. 

Free DIY Rustic Primitive Bench Building Plans

Attach these pieces to the front and back of the bench top sides with 4-6 deck screws.   

Finish the piece with a clear coat of poly if desired.

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You’re all done! Enjoy!

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Free DIY Rustic Primitive Bench Building Plans
How to Build a DIY Rustic Bench

How to Build a DIY Rustic Bench

Yield: 1 DIY Rustic Bench
Prep Time: 1 hour
Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $50

This primitive look bench is perfect for the end of a bed, a mud room, or to use as an outdoor coffee table.

Materials

  • one 2 x 6 x 10 (I used pine) piece of lumber
  • one 2 x 6 x 8 piece of lumber
  • one 2 x 4 x 10 piece of lumber (or one 2 x 4 x 8 if you only want one vertical piece on the top front)
  • one 1 x 3 x 6 piece of lumber
  • wood stain
  • 2″ long deck screws

Tools

  • drill
  • sandpaper / electric sander
  • miter saw

Instructions

First, cut the leg pieces from the 2 x 6 x 8 lumber with a mitre saw. You’ll need four 1’4″ long pieces. Then, cut an angle off of one side of the bottom of each piece. Use the illustration above as a guide, but cut the angle however you think looks best for your bench.

Then, cut two pieces from the 1 x 3 x 6 lumber that are 11″ long to create braces.

Place two of the leg pieces together with the angled cuts facing as shown above. Then, lay a brace piece over top about 1/2 way from the tops of the legs. Secure it in place with two deck screws. Repeat to build a second leg.

Next, cut two 4’3″ pieces from the 2 x 6 x 10 to create the top bench pieces. Secure these to each leg with 2-4 deck screws so that the legs are about 2 1/2″ from each edge.

Finally, cut two 4’3″ pieces from the 2 x 4 x 10. (You could also cut just one piece if you only want one horizontal trim piece on the front of the bench, like the one I created.) Cut an angle on each side of each piece as illustrated above. 

Attach these pieces to the front and back of the bench top sides with 4-6 deck screws.   

Finish the piece with a clear coat of poly if desired.

You’re all done! Enjoy!

Notes

Free Building Plans Included

8 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this bench plan. I just built mine today (little different but not by much) and it turned out great 🙂

  2. Plans well written for easy clarity – so simple and exactly what I was wanting for my tiny cabin in the woods. Primitive and perfect!! Txs so much!

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