How to Build a Planter Patio Bench
Patio planter benches are terrific for patios or porches with limited space. They are a great way to add color and seating for the area. Building a patio planter bench can be a fun weekend project. Remember, when selecting your material, select a wood that is weather and bug resistant.
Tape measure
- Cedar wood 2 x 4s
- Cedar slats 1 x 2s
- 2 Sheets of 3/4 inch plywood
- Stain
- Hammer
- Nails
- Paint brush
- Paint tray
- Saw
- Ceramic pots
- Potting soil
- Flowers or plants
- Measure the size of the area you are locating the planters bench. This will determine the size to cut your wood.
- Purchase your wood at the local lumber yard. Cedar is a good choice for the project as it is both weather and bug resistant.
- Build the frame for the seat and the planters. Construct it to your dimensions in a ladder formation, using cedar 2 x 4s.
- Construct two of these units, one for the top of your bench and the other for the bottom.
- Once constructed, stand the frames parallel to each other. Use your measurements to determine the width of the bench.
- Cut your end cross members based on your desired dimensions of your bench.
- Nail a cross member across the top and bottom at the end of each ladder piece. This will join the pieces together. When completed the piece will resemble an oblong rectangle box with 2 x 4 slats.
- Roll the frame over until the ladder formations are on the top and the bottom of the frame.
- Cut a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood into four sections. Trim each section to the height and width of your rectangular frame. Nail the plywood over the end and around the back and front. Creating a three-sided box on the end of your frame. Notch the fourth piece accordingly, until it fits inside the frame. Secure it to the inside cross members with nails. Perform this procedure on both ends of the original frame. These will serve as your planters.
- Trim the cedar slats to fit between the length of the planter boxes. Nail each slat to the cross members and on each the end of the planter to create a bench.
- Stain your planter as desired.
- Place square or round ceramic planters into the wooden box ends on your bench. Fill with potting soil and add plants or flowers.