All about wooden benches with a back

A garden bench will help create a seating area on the site. It can be placed under a tree or in a garden, next to beautiful flowers. There are many different models - from simple benches to unusual options with carved backs. If you wish, you can make a wooden bench with your own hands using ready-made drawings.

On the site, a bench can be not only a place to relax, but also a decorative object, so it is worth choosing a suitable design that will not violate the overall harmony. Benches can be made of wood in any style, in addition, the material has other advantages:

• with proper care and proper processing, it can last a lot of time;
• is environmentally friendly and safe, does not emit toxins;
• resistance to low temperatures - in the cold season it is more pleasant to sit on a wooden bench than on a metal one.

Besides, such products are highly maintainable. Scratches and cracks can be easily removed from the surface, and the bench itself can be repainted in different colors and refurbished as needed. If a separate part, for example, an armrest or backrest, breaks, then it is not difficult to replace it. However, wood has its drawbacks. This material is susceptible to moisture and may swell over time. Also, mold is formed from dampness, after which the product begins to rot. To prevent this from happening, you need to use a special impregnation for protection.

Garden furniture is striking in its variety. It is worthwhile to determine in advance your expectations and goals in order to find a suitable bench. Products may vary in terms of portability.

• Portable. They are usually lighter and more compact. They can be removed to the barn during bad weather or in winter if you come to the site only in summer. Folding options also fall into this category.

• Stationary. They are located in one place, without the possibility of moving. They can be heavy and massive, including made of combined materials such as wood and concrete or metal. This option provides more opportunities for the embodiment of different design ideas.

The configuration may differ too. If we are talking about a bench, then most often a product is assumed that has supports, a seat and a back, sometimes armrests are present. However, under this name you can also find garden shops in stores. They are distinguished by the absence of a back. The benches are lighter and more mobile, usually easy to move one or two. Also, such a product is easier to do with your own hands, since it consists only of supports and a crossbar. However, the absence of a backrest makes it difficult to completely relax, so many people prefer to choose benches for a comfortable stay.

If you have decided that wood will act as the main material, this does not mean that you should completely ignore all the others. You can pay attention to the combined benches, which exist in different variations.

• With a metal base. Such products are stronger, they are able to withstand more weight. At the same time, due to the wooden seat and backrest, it will be comfortable to rest even in cold weather.

• With concrete supports. Benches of this type look unusual. In addition, concrete is a strong and durable material, it is not afraid of moisture and temperature extremes. Supports provide stability to the garden furniture.

• With a stone base. Different designs can be laid out from this material, and a wooden seat will make the bench more comfortable. The stone will fit well into the design of the site.

The shape of garden furniture can be different:

• straight - the most common option, the easiest to manufacture;
• corner - suitable for a small area where it is important to save space;
• round - these benches are often installed around large trees;
• semicircular - a rather original format, rarely found among wooden products.

• Front benches. They are located at the entrance, so it is important that the design and material match the exterior of the house. For example, if the design contains forged elements - on the visor, railings - then the garden furniture should have a similar decor. It is advisable to think over the style in advance so that the details overlap with each other and look uniform. Dining benches. They are installed in a gazebo, on a terrace or in a barbecue area. As a rule, they come with a table made in the same style. For such areas, it is better to choose more practical furniture that is easy to clean. The shops can be ceremonial, for receiving guests, or simple, for gatherings at home with relatives - it all depends on the personal preferences of the owners.

• Rest benches. Placed in secluded corners of the garden, where it is pleasant to retire. This can be a place near a pond, under a tree, or surrounded by flowering bushes. It is necessary to put the bench so that a beautiful view of the site opens up from it - then it will be even more pleasant to rest. It is advisable to choose comfortable and spacious models with a back for such places, on which you can lie down on a summer day. Garden benches. They are placed next to flower beds, beds or greenhouses. As a rule, these are small shops without any special frills. They are needed so that the owners of the site can rest a little while working in the garden. These products should be installed so that they do not interfere with walking between plantings.

A wooden bench can be made with your own hands. The simplest outdoor design is two legs and a seating bar, but you can also add a backrest, armrests and even a canopy to it. In addition, wood can be easily combined with other materials, and it can also be processed in different ways, for example, adding an antique finish. It is not difficult to make beautiful garden furniture if you use ready-made drawings and diagrams, following the instructions step by step. There are many projects on the net for every taste. It is important to ensure that the dimensions of the elements correspond to those indicated, otherwise the product may turn out to be crooked and unstable. Also use quality wood, it must be dried and pretreated to protect it from moisture.If you decide to make a bench in the hallway, make sure that the impregnation or primer is suitable for indoor use and does not have toxic substances in the composition.

To assemble furniture for a summer cottage yourself, you will need some tools. These include a saw, a jigsaw, a drill, a plane, a hacksaw. You will also need a grinder, a hammer, pliers, a screwdriver will come in handy. For measurements - a ruler or tape measure, a square. If you have the appropriate skills, you can make any kind of benches - with a curved back, corner or those presented below.

The tree trunks left over after the site has been cleared are good material for garden furniture. You can also purchase logs specifically for this purpose:

• pine is an affordable material that does not deform from the heat;
• linden - easy to process, interesting shapes can be cut out of it;
• oak is strong and durable.

The design of the bench can be any, but first you need to prepare the logs. If the wood is not very dry, you should leave it for a while to get rid of the moisture. Then the bark is removed from the log and dried again. Coniferous varieties must be additionally treated with an acetone solution to remove the resin. The log is sawn, the necessary parts are cut out, the grooves - depending on the selected drawing. All knots should be removed and the surfaces of the seat and backrest should be carefully sanded to make them smooth.

You can make a simple bench on two supports or an original bench - it all depends on your imagination. An interesting method is also when a seat is cut and cut out in a solid log without using additional parts and fasteners. This option looks unusual, but requires skill when working. You can make not only a bench from logs, but also a table, as well as several small chairs, by assembling a garden kit for a summer residence.

The easiest option is a bench for two people. It will not be too long and cumbersome, so if necessary, it can be moved to another place, if the product is not fixed in the ground. For the base, you will need to prepare four legs, as well as beams to form the frame. To make the seat and back, you can use 2-3 boards, depending on their thickness. All elements are fixed to each other with nails or screws. If desired, the bench can be supplemented with armrests - for this you need to make the side parts of the frame longer and install polished boards on them.

If you have old chairs, don't rush to throw them away. From them you can make an original bench with a beautiful back, and you will not need much time. First you need to dismantle the chair seats. The remaining frames are processed: they should be sanded, varnish residues removed, a protective primer should be applied, and then decorative paint. You also need two planks to become the new seat. You can use one, but wider, it will also need to be pre-processed and painted in a suitable color.

• Bench sofa. This option is suitable for a terrace or hallway. Structurally, the model has some differences: the seat is more spacious and deep so that you can lie down on it, and the legs are low. Also, soft pillows are placed on the sofa to make the rest more comfortable. The shape of the bench can be straight or angular, and old pallets are well suited as a material, but boards or timber can also be used. Transformer. It is more difficult to assemble such furniture, but it can be quite convenient in everyday life.Most often, the design is a bench, which is decomposed into two benches with a table top. It is better to secure the mechanism with a metal frame, as it is stronger and will withstand more cycles of use.

• Children's shops. They differ from ordinary ones in dimensions designed for a child and bright coloring. You can also attach various parts and objects to them that could keep your baby busy. Children's furniture must be carefully processed from all sides, including the interior. Do not leave nails and screws sticking out so that the child does not get hurt. You can provide an additional box under the bench for outdoor toys so as not to bring them into the house. Benches with a flower bed. An interesting option for decorating a site. If there is not much room on the ground for flowers, you can make a small flower bed on a bench. To do this, special boxes are attached to it, as a rule, on the sides, next to the supports. Drainage should be provided from below so that the water does not stagnate after watering the plants.

Wood is not the most durable material when compared to concrete or metal, so it needs extra protection. Country benches are located outside and are exposed to moisture, sunlight, and temperature extremes. Also, wood is destroyed by pests and mold. Correct handling will help avoid these problems. It is not enough just to paint the surface, as the paint will quickly deteriorate, peel off and swell. It is worth considering certain nuances.

• It is advisable to grind a bar, log or boards before applying impregnation - this will help to reduce the consumption of funds.
• Water-based formulations are not suitable for wood - it is better to use organic or oily ones.
• Wax is good for the final coat to add extra shine. Although it creates a thin, moisture-resistant film, this is not enough for quality protection.
• Varnishes protect well from the influence of precipitation and help decorate the product, but they do not penetrate deep into the wood, so they need to be periodically renewed.

A simple bench that will look great in any garden. It does not take much time to assemble: you only need to prepare the boards and parts for the frame, and then assemble them together using fasteners. This product can be painted in a suitable color or covered with clear varnish to preserve the texture of the wood.

The model with a carved back looks more interesting due to the pattern. The seat is wide, suitable for a comfortable rest. You can put pillows on the bench to help you sit back and relax in the garden.

The drawer version is a practical solution. Inside you can store gardening tools, picnic accessories, pillows. Everything you need will be at hand. A similar bench can be made for a child so that he can keep his toys in a box.

The bench can be placed next to flower beds or beds, where you can relax while working in the garden. Also, these models are suitable for installation almost anywhere. They are lightweight and mobile, so they can be quickly pushed up to the table if you have a lot of guests. For storage, the benches can be removed to the outbuilding - they will not take up much space.

A model with built-in flower beds will decorate the site. There are places for flowers on the sides. Such a shop looks quite unusual, so it can be used not only for recreation, but also for photo shoots.

If you have a large tree in your garden, you can arrange a comfortable place for relaxation under the shady crown. Use multiple benches to arrange around.The backs will serve as a kind of frame. If the tree is young and will still grow later, you need to provide for free space and do not put benches close to the trunk.

Solid furniture made from solid logs looks good on the site. Rough forms are not devoid of natural harmony. Also, this bench is quite heavy and stable.

A set with a small table is suitable for those who like to drink tea in the fresh air from time to time. The two benches provide space for friends or family to enjoy the rest together. White color and laconic furniture design will suit a garden decorated in Provence or retro style.

How to make a wooden bench with your own hands, see the next video.