14 Free and Easy DIY Bench Plans

Simple Wood Bench

Rough cut maple is used to build this simple wooden bench and it gives it a modern rustic look. The finished bench is placed in an entryway here, but this bench would look great anywhere in your home, inside or out. There's a tools and materials list, step-by-step written directions, and color photos that will take you through each step of building this beautiful bench.

Simple Wood Bench from The Merrythought

Mid-Century Slatted Bench

This modern bench can be used outdoors or indoors with style. It has slatted boards giving it a Mid-Century style. This beautiful bench will cost you way less to make than if you were to buy it new in the store. The directions include a supplies list, step-by-step directions and lots of photos along the way to help you with your build.

Mid-Century Slatted Bench from A Beautiful Mess

Shoe Storage Bench Plan

That's My Letter has built this useful shoe storage bench and is giving away the plan for free. Included are diagrams and step-by-step building instructions so even the most novice of builders can take on this project.

This storage bench was designed so it easily fits four large storage crates. This adds a lot of room to store shoes, hats and gloves, sports equipment, and just about anything else you and your family need quick access to when you're headed out.

Shoe Storage Bench Plan from Jaime Costiglio

2x4 Bench and Side Table

This free plan from Jays Custom Creations explains everything you need to build not only an outdoor bench but also a small side table.

The bench requires some 2x4s, screws, and other standard woodworking supplies like glue and a saw.

The cutting diagrams and placing illustrations in this plan are color-coded to make it super simple to piece together. Plus, all the measurements are clear and easy to understand.

There's also a video that shows how to put the bench together.

2x4 Bench and Side Table from Jay's Custom Creations

$20 Beginner Wooden Bench Project

Perfect for the inexperienced woodworker is this $20 DIY bench plan from Remove and Replace. It stands 17" tall, 3' long, and 1' deep.

Since there isn't a materials or tools list in this plan, you must read through the steps before you start so you know what you need.

The steps in this bench plan are very detailed with images, so it shouldn't be difficult to understand the process.

$20 Beginner Wooden Bench Project from Remove and Replace

Pottery Barn Inspired Chesapeake Bench

This is The Design Confidential's free bench plan for building a 38" Chesapeake Banquette (here's the 48" version). The total cost of this project is estimated to be under $25.

This bench can be used alone or to go along with a dining room table, farmhouse table, or picnic table.

Everything you need is spelled out for you before the instructions begin, which is great; the tools, lumber, materials, and cut list - everything you need to build the bench.

The Design Confidential is one of the best free sources for woodworking plans because the instructions are very thorough and are accompanied with illustrations showing the exact piece of the bench that the particular step is describing.

Pottery Barn Inspired Chesapeake Bench from The Design Confidential

Simple Board Bench

Another free bench plan can be had at DIY Garden Plans. As you can see in the image, this bench isn't made up of anything too complex, so it should be a perfect project for a beginner.

The bench is 5' long and stands just over 1.5' off the ground. It requires a single 8' long 2x12, one 8' long 2x4, and three 1/2" deck screws.

A PDF is available at the bottom of the DIY Garden Plans page that includes a few short instructions. There aren't many steps to this plan, but that's actually a good sign because it means the bench is pretty simple to put together.

Simple Board Bench from DIY Garden Plans

DIY Bench Plan

Yet another easy-to-build DIY bench is available at My Outdoor Plans. It calls for several 2x4s of various lengths for the legs, trim, and seat.

Like the image shows, the bench seat rests on two blocks, which sets it 16" off the ground. The whole bench is 58" long.

All the details and pictures necessary to build this bench are included in the plan.

DIY Bench Plan from My Outdoor Plans

Garden Bench

Just gather the few materials at the top of the Handyman Wire page to build this bench using the instructions from their free plan.

Like the other plans from this list, HandymanWire includes the cutting dimensions so you know exactly what you need to do from the very start.

In addition to color-coded illustrations are real-life pictures of the construction process to help guide you through the steps.

Garden Bench from Handyman Wire

Budget-Friendly Outdoor Bench

From Woodworking For Mere Mortals is this free plan for a bench made from 2x4s. Depending entirely on where you get your supplies, this bench could cost as little as $30.

At the bottom of the Woodworking For Mere Mortals is a link to plan details, which includes some short instructions, cutting diagrams, and illustrations showing how both the top and bottom half of the bench should be constructed.

There's also a video showing the whole project being built, plus a SketchUp file on their website so you can manipulate the details of the bench, like its color and size.

Budget-Friendly Outdoor Bench from Woodworking For Mere Mortals

5-Board Bench

Also from Woodworking For Mere Mortals is this free bench plan that explains how to build a bench using just five boards.

There are printable diagrams for use as cutting guides as well as a video showing how to build the bench.

The bench stands 16" from the ground, is 14" deep, and stretches 36" across.

5-Board Bench from Woodworking for Mere Mortals

2X4 Bench Plan

How To Specialist is another place to get a free bench plan for one of your woodworking projects.

Though you can definitely adjust these measurements, the frame of the seating portion of the bench is 60" long and 18" deep, and the backrest is around 23" tall.

The steps in this plan are very detailed and come with illustrations and written instructions for precise explanations.

2X4 Bench Plan from How To Specialist

Simple West Elm Knock-Off Bench

Some of the best DIY projects are ones that copy an item you just don't want to buy yourself, like this $15 imitation of a $700 bench.

A materials and tools list are included before the steps, so be sure to review them to make sure you have what you need to get started.

As the picture would indicate, there aren't very many steps required to build this bench. Plus, with the images and details provided, it really should be pretty easy for anyone familiar with even the basics of woodworking.

Through building the bench and waiting for things to dry, you should expect to have it completed in around 6 hours.

Simple West Elm Knock-Off Bench from Home Made By Carmona

Free Bench Plan

Though the overall bench probably isn't too difficult to construct, the sides of this bench from MyOutdoorPlans is a unique shape that may take some work.

However, the instructions in this plan are much like the others on this list - very detailed and include every single measurement you need to know.

Following illustrations for building the sides of the bench are similar instructions for the seat and backrest.

Free Bench Plan from My Outdoor Plans

Outdoor Bench Plan

Though there are several more pieces to it, MyOutdoorPlans has another free bench plan that appears to be a bit easier to build than the one from above.

The illustrations in these steps are colored and labeled with a letter so you can easily see where every item in the materials list is located on the bench.

This bench is 48" long, 34" off the ground, and 18" deep.

Outdoor Bench Plan from My Outdoor Plans