DIY Outdoor Bench with Back
A 51″-long Leopold-style outdoor bench with back made from 4 pressure-treated 2x8s. Total time: 30 minutes (Beginner skill). Total cost: $30–50. Uses 3 tools — drill/driver, circular saw, and speed square. Tapered back leg for comfort. Built and tested by Jamison Rantz.
Want the ad-free, printable version?
Everything below in one organized, print-ready PDF — cut list, dimensions, step-by-step diagrams, shopping list. Perfect for the shop wall or your phone.
With our backyard ice rink and amazing fire pit area, an outdoor bench to take a break on was a priority project. I wanted to use this opportunity to come up with a design that would be easy and cheap to build, look good, and be comfortable. After doing some research I stumbled across a design called the Leopold bench (plans here) which was named after the conservationist Aldo Leopold who built them for birdwatching and nature photography.
I liked the simplicity of the Leopold Bench but wanted to modify the design a little — adding a tapered back leg for a cleaner look, and sizing it for standard 2×8 lumber so it builds in 30 minutes with just 3 tools.
What you’ll need
Untreated boards are okay if you’ll be painting or sealing — these work.
Bench Dimensions
Final dimensions: 51″ wide × 24½” deep × 33″ tall.
How to Build the Outdoor Bench
Total time: 30 minutes · Difficulty: Beginner
Cut the wood
The 2x8s should be cut down per the following diagram. The angled cuts can be made with either a miter saw or marked with a speed square and cut with a circular saw.
To make the angled cut marks, use a speed square — pivot the corner until the correct angle is aligned with the edge of the board, as shown below.
Cut the taper on the back leg
Rather than leaving the longer leg a full 2×8, cut a taper at the top of the back. Not only does it look nicer but it sets the correct angle of the back. Using the diagram above, mark the line with a straight edge and cut the taper with a circular saw.
Assemble the legs
The legs are assembled with four 2½” exterior wood screws each, as shown below.
Use the dimensions in the diagram above to mark the line that the shorter leg will fall on (as shown below). Note that the 19″ side of the short leg should face the back of the bench.
The 6″ measurement on the shorter leg should get the legs pretty close to correct alignment. Before securing, use a straight edge to check that the bottom of the legs are in the same plane (will sit flat on the ground when upright). Then secure with the four 2½” exterior wood screws each.
Attach the seat and back
The seat and back can now be installed with 2½” exterior wood screws as shown in the diagram below.
Overhang the front of the seat by 1½” and space the boards about ¼” – ½” apart so water can drain through.
The finished bench
Three power tools, $30 in lumber, 30 minutes — and you’ve got a Leopold-inspired bench that looks at home next to a firepit, on a porch, or anywhere outdoors. Throw a coat of stain on if you want it to keep its color, or let it weather naturally to silver-gray.
Common questions
How long will pressure-treated lumber last outside?
Pressure-treated pine lasts 15–25 years above ground in most climates. The chemicals in PT lumber resist rot and insect damage but don’t make the wood waterproof — applying a sealer or stain every couple of years extends both the life and the look.
Can I use cedar or redwood instead of PT?
Yes — both are popular swaps. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, lighter weight, and finishes beautifully. Trade-offs: cedar runs about 2–3× the cost of PT pine and is softer (dents more easily). Redwood is similar but harder to find. The cuts and assembly are identical to the PT version in this plan.
Do I need to seal or stain the bench?
Not for rot resistance — PT lumber handles that on its own. But applying an exterior sealer or stain in the first year and refreshing every 2–3 years keeps the bench from graying out and dramatically extends its visual life. Skip it and the wood will weather to silver-gray within a season.
What’s the weight capacity?
This 4-board frame comfortably holds 500+ pounds — well beyond two adults seated. The strength comes from the leg-to-seat joinery; if you’re worried about long-term flex on longer benches, add a center support post for spans over 60″.
Like it? Get the plans to have in your shop.
The printable PDF lives on your phone or shop wall — cut list, dimensions, all steps in one ad-free document, ready to reference forever.
Related Plans
Other outdoor seating builds with printable plans:
