A slatted bench made entirely from 2x4s. Every cut goes straight across the board, and it is done in an afternoon.
Before you buy anything, it helps to know three things: how big the finished build is, what you’ll bring home from the store, and how the assembly goes. Here they are for the Simple 2x4 Outdoor Bench, straight from the plan.
How big is it?
The finished size is 47-1/2 × 18-1/2 × 17 in (121 × 47 × 43 cm), width × depth × height. Measure the spot where it will stand before you start.
What you’ll buy
The shopping list comes to about $61 at the prices we saw (Sep 27 – Oct 5, 2026). Prices change, so check your own store.
| Qty | What | At the prices we saw |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2x4 PT, 8 ft | $23.90 |
| 1 box | #9 x 2-1/2 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 1 box | #9 x 3 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 1 | 3M Pro Grade Precision 9x11 in 120-grit medium sheets | $14.98 |
The shopping list names what to buy; the cut list in the plan turns those boards and sheets into parts. Check both before your first cut.
Tools you need
- Tape measure
- Speed square
- Pencil
- Level
- Miter saw
- Straight board or long ruler
- Drill/driver
- Drill bits (1/8 in and 5/32 in for pilot holes)
- T25 star driver bit
- Sandpaper
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Work gloves
- Dust mask
- Masking tape
- Two spacer strips measured to an actual 1/4 in (plywood or hardboard scrap)
- Low heavy brace (a stack of lumber or a bag of soil)
- Box or scrap stack
How the build goes
The plan has 5 steps, each with a drawing and the parts it uses. The plan’s own estimate is about 2–3 hours; treat it as an estimate.
- Cut the parts
- Build the first leg frame flat
- Build the second leg frame flat
- Stand the frames up and join them
- Dry-fit and fasten the seat slats
Before you start
- Compare the shopping list with the stock sizes your store actually carries.
- Check every measurement against your own materials before cutting.
- Read the safety notes at the front of the plan and wear the protective gear it lists.
What the plan includes
- Preparation packet PDF (shopping list, cut list, tools), 7 pages
- Build guide PDF, 20 pages
- Preparation packet PDF, metric (mm) (shopping list, cut list, tools), 8 pages
- Build guide PDF, metric (mm), 21 pages
- Offline animated 3D build guide (ZIP; open guide.html in a web browser; guide-metric.html for mm)
It is a digital build plan: nothing physical ships. See the plan.
These plans are for planning and personal use. They are not engineered drawings and do not claim compliance with any building code. Check local rules and use your own judgment on site.
General planning guidance. Follow your chosen plan and tools’ instructions; ask about unclear dimensions or substitutions before cutting.