The hardest part of building a wood bench is ensuring that its legs are sturdy and well attached. So to make it easy to build this 10-foot-long bench, we designed a bench top that rests on a pair of oversize ceramic pots. Add plants or trees to enrich the look; we used New Zealand flax.

The bench frame and top are made of 2-by-6 decking. (We used redwood, but you could substitute cedar or pressure-treated lumber.) For a comfortable seating height, choose pots that are about 18 inches tall and wide (no wider than 19 inches for this bench). Look for thick-walled, wide-lipped pots that have been glazed (that is, hardened); avoid unfired terra-cotta. For safety, lift bench top periodically and check pots for cracks.

The cost of the project is about $300, depending on the type of wood and pots.

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Click here to download a diagram of the bench

Electric drill

Tape measure

Electric sander

Pencil and scissors

Saber saw

Paintbrush

MATERIALS

Four 10-ft. 2-by-6s

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Rob D. Brodman
Step 2

Eight 19¼-in. 2-by-6s

2 lbs. 3-in. deck screws

Medium-grit sandpaper

Two very sturdy ceramic pots

Heavy paper or scrap cardboard

Deck stain/sealer (we used the Flood Company’s CWF-UltraLast, www.flood.com or 800/321-3444)

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Rob D. Brodman
Step 4

1. Following the diagram at right, build the bench’s ladder-like frame, countersinking all screws.

2. Sand the frame. Space the 10-foot lengths and screw to the frame so the edges overhang ¼ inch on all sides.

3. Measure the inside diameter of one pot (ours is just under 17 in.). On a piece of heavy paper or scrap cardboard, draw and cut out a circle that is 2 inches less in diameter.

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Rob D. Brodman
Step 5

5. Cut out each circle using the saber saw. Sand the cut sides and bench top, then use the paintbrush to seal wood with a deck stain/sealer.

6. Place the pots in their desired location and position bench top before filling pots with soil. Add plantings through the cutouts.

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