DIY bench

Place this charming outdoor seat in the most picturesque corner of your garden or paint it to add colour in a shady spot, says Jane Wrigglesworth.

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You will need: 12m x 100mm x 50mm treated pine, 7 x 1m Gothic pickets, 1 x 1.2m Gothic pickets, 2 x 900mm x 900mm post tops, 10g x 50mm countersunk screws, 10g x 75mm countersunk screws, 1 litre Resene Lumbersider Resene Grape paint, power saw, power drill, jigsaw, clamps, set square, sandpaper and wood filler.

Cutting measurements: From the 100mm x 50mm pine, cut: 4 x1200mm lengths, 1 x 1130mm length, 1 x 905mm length, 2 x 800mm lengths and 6 x 400mm lengths.

Cost: $173.62 (plus paint).

Step 1
Screw two 400mm lengths and 1 x 800mm length together with the 75mm screws, as shown, to form the seat and leg frame.

Step 2
Fit another 400mm length as a brace 60mm up from the bottom, as shown. Make another frame for the other side.

Step 3
Stand seat frames upright, and starting at the back, position one 1200mm length on frame, allowing for a 30mm overhang at each end. Screw in place.

Step 4
Using a spacer to allow for gaps, position the remaining three 1200mm lengths on the seat frame and screw in place using the 75mm screws.

Step 5
On the back side of the seat, position the 1130mm length at the top, flush with the two upright posts.

Step 6
Cut the seven 1m pickets 850mm long. Trace outline of picket top on straight end of 1.2m picket. Put aside. Screw the seven pickets to seat using the 50mm screws.

Step 7
Using a jigsaw, cut the traced outline on the 1.2m picket. Sand to smooth edges. Attach the picket to the front of the bench seat using the 50mm screws.

Step 8
Attach 905mm length at base of seat in centre. Fix post tops to either side of the seat. Fill screw holes with wood filler. Paint.

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