Outdoor Bench – 4×4 Legs

Description

Outdoor bench plans with 4×4 legs: a chunky bench with a back

This is the chunky one. Most of my outdoor benches stand on 2x lumber, but this one stands on 4×4 legs. On each end, the back leg rakes back to carry a two-board backrest, and an angled front leg meets it on a solid foot with chamfered ends. The seat is two boards with a small gap between them. It finishes 48″ wide, 24″ deep and 33″ tall, a full-size bench with a back for the patio, the fire pit or the end of a garden path.

What you get

• Printable PDF plan, instant download
• Full dimensions
• Complete cut list
• Step-by-step instructions
• Shopping list

Specs

• Overall size: 48″ wide x 24″ deep x 33″ tall
• Style: outdoor bench with back, 4×4 legs on solid feet
• Seats: 2
• Build time: about 30 minutes
• Skill level: Beginner
• Estimated cost: $50 to $60

Lumber you’ll need

• 2 boards, 2x8x8′ treated lumber (seat and back)
• 2 posts, 4x4x8′ treated lumber (legs and feet)

Hardware

• 8 structural wood screws, 3/8″ x 6″ (one per leg joint, no pre-drilling)
• 16 deck screws, 3″

Tools you’ll need

• Miter saw (every angle is a plain miter setting, nothing compound)
• Impact driver
• Tape measure and pencil
• Safety glasses and hearing protection

Common questions

What wood should I build it from? Pressure-treated pine is the budget pick and what most of my benches use. Let it dry a few weeks before staining. Cedar costs more but is naturally rot resistant and stays cooler in the sun. Either way, keep the legs off wet ground and it will last for years.

Do I need to seal or stain it? Yes. An exterior stain and sealer every year or two is the difference between a bench that grays and checks and one that still looks new. Pressure-treated lumber should dry out before its first coat.

How is it different from my other benches? It’s the chunkier take on my outdoor benches: same idea, but with 4×4 legs instead of 2x boards. If you’d rather build from a short stack of 2x8s with almost no waste, the outdoor bench with back or the modern outdoor bench are the lighter takes.

Not sure it’s the right one for your spot? Compare all our outdoor bench plans. It also pairs with the outdoor table, Adirondack chair and chaise lounge in the outdoor furniture plans lineup.