DIY Table Bench

If you don't have enough places for seating around your kitchen table or outdoor table, a DIY table bench can be a simple answer to the seating shortage. If space is tight, you can often get more seating for your space with a bench than with chairs. Best of all, bench seating is easy to make and requires very few tools. You can often finish the entire project in less than a day. Does this Spark an idea?

Determine the style of table bench you want

Table benches for your kitchen or dining room can reflect the style of your kitchen table, or they can be similar to other pieces of wood furniture in your home. Outdoor bench seating can be as simple as you want or as elaborate. The finish you choose can match your existing table, or it can be a different color.

If you want bench seating with more style, you can consider adding backs to your table benches. Benches with backrests can be freestanding or attached to the wall or deck. If you need extra storage, consider a table bench with built-in storage under the seating. You may even want to add cushions to your table bench.

Design your table benches

Once you decide what style of table benches you wish to build, find plans that suit your needs (a free table bench plan is available online at wayneofthewoods.com/Bench.html). Or you can design your own plan. Keep in mind that whatever style and plan you choose, your table bench needs to match the size of the table. If the table bench is for your kitchen, it also needs to fit into the allotted amount of space.

Gather your materials

Figure how much wood you need as well as the type of wood you wish to use. If this is an indoor project, you may want to use a more expensive wood to match your kitchen table. For an outdoor project, you can choose pine, cedar, redwood or even a pretreated wood designed specifically for outdoor use.

Make a list of all the screws, nails, paint, finish and other products you need to complete the table bench. According to the article Build An Outdoor Table And Bench Set in the April 2001 "Popular Mechanics," you should pick wood glue that's appropriate for the setting. Be sure to choose waterproof glue for your outdoor DIY table bench.

Determine what tools---such as saws, hammers, drills and paintbrushes---you will need to make the bench seating. If you are a woodworker, you may already have everything you need. Otherwise, take your list to the local lumberyard so you can purchase the supplies necessary to finish the project along with the wood you need.

Assemble the table bench

Lay out your supplies and tools. If the plan you are using includes instructions, read them first so you are sure how to proceed with building the table bench. Measure the wood carefully before you cut it. Put the bench seating together, making sure to secure all fasteners. When you finish the bench assembly, allow the wood glue to dry. Sand the table bench. Apply stain or paint to the table bench, then finish with an acrylic sealer.