I love the antique benches all over Etsy, Instagram, and Pinterest. They can be found at antique markets, festivals, and online. But, they can be a little bit pricey, so I decided to make my own. This DIY Chinese bench is an easy project that can be put together in just a few minutes. (post contains affiliate links, see disclosure)
I actually referred to the previous antique bench that I built a few years ago. It should be noted these aren’t really benches that are meant to be sat on, even though you can build it that way if you would like.
SUPPLIES
- 1x8x4
- 2x2x4
- miter saw
- wood screws
- a stain of choice, I used my favorite stain
STEPS
- cut 1×8 to the length of choice, I did 42 inches long for our king size bed
- cut a 15-degree angle at each end of the 2×2’s, each leg is 16 inches
- distress, sand, and stain
The 15-degree angle is the secret to getting the legs to be supportive and easy to attach. Because I used scrap wood – two 1×4’s – I used a scrap 1×2 to attach them together underneath. I measured 8 inches inward from each side and attached it. Then I placed each leg on the sides and screwed in from the top. Make sure all the angles match up, so the legs are flat to the ground.
I used the scrap wood that I had leftover from our DIY ceiling box beams. I was on a deadline, so I built this pretty quickly. I’m now thinking about going back and sanding it down more and adding a little more character. I love this technique that Jenna Sue uses on her furniture projects. And if you aren’t up to make your own DIY Chinese bench, I linked a few of my favorites to purchase online below!
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