Build a Vintage Wood Slat Bench

Create a Stunning Piece of Seating using the Plans to Build a Vintage Wood Slat Bench

This bench is one of those pieces that can be constructed in a day. So simple, right? It would be the perfect accent to a deck, porch, mud room, or even at a dining room table! The plans to build a Vintage Wood Slat bench are simple to build and would be a very inexpensive project!

Materials:

• 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 2-1/2″ screws
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

• 6 – 2×3 at 8′
• 7 – 2×4 at 8′

Cut List:

• 3 – 2×4 at 36″ – Back Legs
• 3 – 2×4 at 16-1/2″ – Front Legs
• 3 – 2×4 at 11-1/2″ – Leg Stretcher
• 2 – 2×4 at 37-1/4″ – Back Stretchers
• 1 – 2×4 at 81″ – Front Stretcher
• 2 – 2×4 at 15″ – Seat Supports
• 3 – 2×3 at 81″ – Seat Slats
• 2 – 2×4 at 81″ – Seat Slats
• 3 – 2×3 at 81″ – Back Slats

Step One

Cut the pieces for the back legs. Cut the angle for the upper back using a jigsaw or a tapering jig on the table saw.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the front legs and the leg stretchers. With the pocket hole jig set for 1-1/2″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the stretchers. Secure the stretchers to the front legs and back legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the back stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure to the back legs as shown using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. The back face of the stretchers will be flush with the inside face of the back legs.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the front stretcher. To make the arc in the lower ends, use a soup can or a compass to draw the arc, then cut with a jigsaw. Secure the stretcher to the front legs using glue and countersunk 2-1/2″ screws. The front will overlap the sides by 1″.

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the seat supports and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure to the front and back stretchers using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the seat slats. Cut the notches in one of the 2×4 slats as shown in the drawing. This way, the back slat will fit around the legs. The center three slats are 2×3, and the front slat is a 2×4. Space the slats 7/8″ apart, then secure in place using glue and countersunk 2-1/2″ screws.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the back slats. The rounded edges are optional. Secure the back slats to the upper portion of the back legs (along the angle) using glue and countersunk 2-1/2″ screws. The back slats will be spaced approximately 2″ apart.

Finish as desired.

The bench would look awesome with a weathered grey finish, then sealed with a coat of spar urethane! I think I might add the plans to build a Vintage Wood Slat bench to my “to build” list! Looking for an additional bench to build? The plans to build a curved seat bench would be perfect!

Have any questions about the plans? Let me know at cher {at} designsbystudioc {dot} com!

Originally posted 2014-05-02 08:00:20.