English Garden Bench
$10.00
Printable plans for a traditional English garden bench with a tall vertical-slat back, tapered 2×4 legs and shaped arms. It measures 37″ tall x 71″ wide x 33-1/2″ deep and is built from six 1x6s and five 2x4s. Includes a full cut list, dimensions and 11 illustrated steps.
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English garden bench plans: slatted back, tapered legs and shaped arms
This is the formal one in my bench lineup. It has a tall back of ten vertical 1×6 slats under a wide top rail, tapered 2×4 legs, and notched, tapered armrests, so it looks like the classic English garden bench you see in a formal yard. Under the looks, it’s straightforward: 2x4s and 1x6s, pocket screws and exterior wood screws. It’s a full-size bench at 71″ wide, and you can build it in a day.
What you get
- Printable 8-page PDF plan, instant download
- Overall dimensions
- Board-by-board cut list with every angle and taper marked
- 11 illustrated steps, from tapering the legs to installing the seat slats
- Tools and materials shopping list
Specs
- Overall size: 37″ tall x 71″ wide x 33-1/2″ deep
- Build time: 1 day
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Estimated cost to build: about $80
Lumber you’ll need
- 6 boards, 1x6x8′ (back slats, back top rail and seat slats)
- 5 boards, 2x4x8′ (legs, armrests, stringers and seat supports)
Hardware and supplies
- 2-1/2″ and 1-1/4″ exterior pocket screws
- 2-1/2″ and 1-1/4″ exterior wood screws
- 1-1/4″ brad nails (optional)
- Wood glue
Tools you’ll need
- Pocket hole jig
- Drill/driver
- Table saw for ripping the legs to 3-1/4″
- Circular saw and jigsaw
- Miter saw and speed square for the angled cuts
- Brad nailer (optional)
- Tape measure and pencil
- Safety glasses and hearing protection
Common questions
How is this different from my other garden bench? My Garden Bench is built from 1x4s. This English Garden Bench is the traditional version, with a tall vertical-slat back, tapered legs and shaped arms.
Why intermediate and not beginner? The legs get ripped down on a table saw and then tapered, and the armrests get a notch and a taper. None of it is hard, but there are more angled cuts than a straight-leg bench.
How is the back built? The ten 1×6 back slats pocket-screw to a 1×6 top rail as one panel, and then the whole panel attaches between the sides. It’s an easy way to get the slats evenly spaced.
Not sure this is the right bench? Compare all our outdoor bench plans side by side, or browse the full outdoor furniture plans lineup.
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