DIY Antique Bench

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] have been wanting an old Japanese inspired bench for as long as I can remember. So I built a DIY antique bench for our entryway for the Fall Entry Tour. I got a lot of questions about it, so today I’m giving you all the details so you can make one too! This was one of the easiest and quickest DIYs I have completed in a long time. With Joe’s help, it only took about thirty minutes, including sanding.

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SUPPLIES:

2x8x8 or scrap wood
miter saw
measuring tape
kreg jig, screws or large heavy duty nails
sander
stain or paint

STEPS:

Measure and cut your board to desired height and length. I used wood from our lumber pile, so I cut mine to 48″ in length and the legs at 16″ high. With the miter saw, cut legs at 15 degree angle. There is no need to flip the wood, just move it over and make your next cut.
Layout your seat and legs deciding where you would like the legs to be. I did mine 10″ inward on both sides. Of course, if your bench is smaller or larger than 48″ adjust the placement accordingly.
At this point, how you attach the legs is up to you. Using a keg jig is probably best. Or drill pilot holes and use large screws. However, I was on a time crunch so Joe used heavy duty nails & a hammer and nailed the legs in from the top. We’ve used this method before, like in our DIY Sofa Table. Disclaimer: this is not a bench anyone will be sitting on, if you plan to sit the Keg Jig would be best.
Sand and stain bench how you like. Ours was perfectly weathered from being outside, so I just sanded it down.