How to Build a Farmhouse Bench with Purchased Legs

October 17, 2019
nicole

Hi! I'm Nicole

Fearless DIY. Sharing building project tutorials and interior design tips. Let’s build something beautiful together. For more projects, design tips and behind the scenes, follow me @designtobuild.nicole

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Let’s build a farmhouse bench!

Today I’m coming at you with a two-week “How to build a bench” series. I have built several tables and benches and want to share with you just how simple they are to build. I thought we would start with the bench and work our way up to the table, because if you can build a bench, you can build a table. They are both basically the same build. Legs, frame, top–that’s it!

For today’s bench, we’re going really easy and buying our legs off of Amazon. There are so many styles to choose from, but we’re going to go with these farmhouse style ones.  (Amazon Affiliate Link)

4 custom build bench legs

Alright, we’ve got our legs, so let’s get started…

HOW TO BUILD A FARMHOUSE BENCH

Materials Needed:

2x4x8 (5)

2x6x8 (3)

Purchased legs    (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Pocket hole screws 2.5″

Finishing Screws 2.5″   (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Wood filler

Tools Needed:

Miter saw

Kreg Jig (easiest tool for pocket holes)  (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Drill

Table Saw (optional)

Step One: Cut boards for the frame.

First you’ll want to determine how long you want your farmhouse bench to be. On this particular project I was building a very long bench. 88 inches to be exact. You’ll want to account for your legs and allow the benchtop to overhang the frame a bit. Therefore, my math for this is: 88″minus 3.25″ (width of leg on one end) minus 3.25″ (width of leg on other end) minus 1″ overhang on one end minus 1″ overhang on other end equals 79.5″ Cut two 2X4’s at this measurement. (I know this may be a little confusing, but as you scroll down a few pictures, it will make sense)….

2 long pinewood boards

Next, determine how wide you want your farmhouse bench to be. I went with 16″ wide. Again allot for legs and overhang. Therefore, my math is: 16″ minus 3.25″ minus 3.25″ minus 1″ minus 1″ equals 7.5″. Cut two 2X4’s at this measurement….

2 pine boards with pocket holes on both ends

You should now have four 2X4’s cut. Two long, two short. Drill pocket holes on each end of your boards-long and short (as shown above in my short boards).

Step Two: Attach frame boards to legs

Find the center of your leg’s square shank and attach your long 2X4 to this center using 2.5″ pocket hole screws. The top of your long 2X4 should be flush with the top of your leg.  Do this on the other end of your long board with another leg too…

custom leg with 2x4 for farmhouse bench frame

Now you have one side of your bench frame with legs built…

one side of farmhouse bench frame complete

Next, you’ll want to attach another leg to one of your shorter 2X4’s using 2.5″ pocket hole screws…

short 2x4 attached to custom leg

Now, you’re ready to attach that leg and short board to one of the legs on your long board. Note: Make sure pocket holes are facing in, so they’re not visible on the outside of your frame….

short 2x4 and custom leg screwed into long board

To avoid working against gravity, I used sheets to prop up my leg…this made it easier to screw it in (as shown above).

Do this on the other end and you now have a standing frame for your bench….

long and short farmhouse bench frame built

Add your other long board, and your frame is built….

farmhouse bench frame with custom legs

Step Three: Add supports

Depending on the length of your bench, you’ll want to add some supports to keep your bench top from bowing. Because my bench was so long, I added 7 supports. These are very easy to add. Simply, measure the length from the inside of one long board to the inside of the opposite long board. Cut your board to fit this space. Drill pocket holes. Attach using 2.5″ pocket hole screws. Repeat with as many boards needed, spacing them apart approximately 8-12″….

bench frame with 2x4 supports added

Step Four: Add the top

Rip three 2X6 boards to 5 & 3/8″. Cut each board at 88″. Drill pocket holes on one long side of two of the boards and attach all three boards together using 2.5″ pocket hole screws….

bench top being built out of three 2x6's with pocket holes

Note: If you don’t have a table saw to rip your boards, no worries. Just keep your boards at their current width (2X6=5.5″ wide). Your benchtop will just be a little wider. No big deal!

Sand the top and attach it to your frame using 2.5″ finishing screws. (Here are my favorite screws to use). Use wood filler to fill in these holes. Sand again. (Amazon Affiliate Link)…

farmhouse bench unpainted

side angle of bench unpainted

Add paint or stain.

farmhouse bench with white blanket and display of flowers on it

bench in dining room with blanket and basket of flowers on it

That’s it! So simple!!

Next week, we’ll make our own legs. Don’t let that intimidate you. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to make your own legs!! As always, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or comment below on any questions you may have.

PIN IT FOR LATER….

bench how to pin for pinterest

Until next time,

Happy Building, Friend!!

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Other building project posts:

Easy How to Build Floating Shelves

How to Make Your Own Sliding Barn Door

How to Make a Farmhouse Pallet Coffee Table

 

 

 

 

 

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