Step-by-step guide

Build outdoor furniture — step by step

A sturdy garden bench that lasts for decades.

This is a complete guide to build outdoor furniture yourself — step by step, with a material list, tools, a timeline and what it costs. It's written for anyone building at home without professional experience: count on 1 weekend and a material cost of around 1,500–4,000 kr.

Showing method: Classic bench with backrest

DifficultyBeginner

Time1 weekend

Estimated material cost1,500–4,000 kr

The price is an estimate based on typical material prices and can vary depending on size, material choice, location and store.

Build outdoor furniture – Classic bench with backrest

Choose a method

Which method suits you best?

Best for: A patio or deck where the bench will stay out all summer.

Please note: Material quantities, prices and building methods are guidelines. Always check current prices, local regulations and product instructions before starting a project.

How outdoor furniture comes together

Materials for outdoor furniture — full list

Check items off while you shop — the list stays with you on the page.

7 steps

Build outdoor furniture step by step

01
Cut all the parts
Measure and cut all the pieces according to your drawing before you start assembling. It's much more pleasant to work through a stack of finished pieces than to mix cutting and screwing.
Tip: Label every piece in pencil — A1, A2, B1… It saves time later.
02
Build two side frames
Each end frame consists of two legs and a crossbar joining them. Glue and screw — use clamps until the glue has grabbed.
03
Join the end frames together
Lay the end frames on the ground and screw two long crossbars between them. Check the whole frame is square by measuring diagonally.
04
Screw down the seat boards
Lay the seat boards on top of the frame with a 5 mm gap between them. Screw down with two screws at each end. Pre-drill to avoid splitting.
05
Build the backrest
Screw the backrest supports on so they lean back slightly — about 5 degrees — that's the difference between a park bench and a comfortable one.
Tip: Sit on the bench before fixing the backrest fully. Adjust until it feels right.
06
Sand all the edges
Sand all edges and corners round with 80 grit first, then 120. It's the difference between a bench that looks homemade and one that looks professional.
07
Oil or stain
Apply two coats of wood oil or stain. Let it dry between coats. Repeat every spring and the bench will last 20 years.

This helps me

Help specific to build outdoor furniture

How the time breaks down

A bench is built in a weekend — allow 6–10 effective hours including drying time for the oil.

Cutting all parts to the drawing1–1.5 hours
Building and gluing the end frames1.5 hours
Joining the frame & screwing the seat2 hours
Sanding edges (80 → 120)1–2 hours
Oiling two coats (with drying time)1 hour work + 8 h drying

How to save time

Cut all the parts first before you start screwing — you'll work twice as fast with a stack of finished pieces.
Label every piece in pencil (A1, A2, B1…) so you don't have to think during assembly.
Oil in the evening so the bench is ready by morning.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers about build outdoor furniture

How do you build outdoor furniture?

A simple garden bench is the perfect first carpentry project. It teaches you the basics: measuring, cutting straight, screwing together. The design here is classic and comfortable — and you can scale up to a table or daybed with the same technique. The guide breaks the work into 7 steps — you start with cut all the parts, build two side frames and join the end frames together and work your way forward at your own pace.

How much does it cost to build outdoor furniture?

Material cost is typically 1,500–4,000 kr. Total cost 1,500–4,000 kr for a bench. Pine is cheapest; larch or oak costs 2–3 times more. The biggest items are timber 45×145 mm pine (4 pcs of 2 m) 500–900 kr, timber 28×95 mm pine (5 pcs of 1.6 m) 400–700 kr and stainless wood screws a4 (2 boxes) 200–350 kr. The price varies with size, material choice, location and store.

What materials do you need for outdoor furniture?

You'll need things like timber 45 × 145 mm pine, timber 28 × 95 mm pine, outdoor wood glue, wood screws a4 stainless 5 × 80 mm and wood screws a4 stainless 4 × 50 mm — the full material list with quantities is in the guide and can be checked off while you shop. Tools you'll need at home: drill, mitre saw or handsaw, spirit level and tape measure.

How long does it take and how hard is it?

Count on 1 weekend for outdoor furniture. A bench is built in a weekend — allow 6–10 effective hours including drying time for the oil. The difficulty level is easy, so you can manage it without professional experience if you follow the steps in order.

Which method should I choose for outdoor furniture?

There are 3 common ways to build it: classic bench with backrest, picnic table with benches and simple stool or side table. Choose a method at the top of the page — the guide, material list and cost then adapt to that solution.

What's the most common mistake?

The mistakes we see most often: too few screws in the seat — it starts creaking after a summer, a straight backrest — it becomes uncomfortable within 10 minutes and skipping the sanding — splinters on the back of your thigh make for an unpleasant summer. Read through the whole guide once before you start — that way you'll avoid most of them.