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54" Bench with Cross Bracing - Made with 1x boards

easy to build bench with cross bracing
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Difficulty
Intermediate
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A simple bench gets stylish with some clever cross bracing and false notching. We love the easy nail and glue joinery.  It's perfect for the entryway, end of the bed, or anywhere you might need ocassional seating.

See why so many have built this bench already! Special thanks to our readers for sharing their photos. 

easy to build bench with cross bracing

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54" Bench with Cross Bracing - Made with 1x boards

Dimensions
dimensions shown above
54" Wide x 18" Tall x 12" Deep

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 4 – 1×3 8′ boards 
  • 1 – 1×2 8′ board 
  • 1 – 1×12, at least 54″ long
Common Materials
1 1/4 inch screws
2 inch screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
paint
paint brush
Cut List
  • A) 4 – 1×3 @ 17 1/4″ (Leg Pieces, notch out in step 1) 
  • B) 4 – 1×3 @ 11 1/2″ (End Aprons and Side Stretchers) 
  • C) 4 – 1×2 @ 17 1/4″ (Leg Pieces to complete the legs) 
  • D) 3 – 1×3 @ 45″ (Aprons and stretcher) 
  • E) 2 – 1×3 @ 25 3/4″ (Cross Supports) 
  • F) 1- 1×12 @ 54″ (Top)
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Drill
Jigsaw
Miter Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Work on a clean level surface. Use good boards. Cut all of your boards first. Check for square after each step. Because this is a bench, I recommend using screws instead of nails. Always use glue. Predrill and countersink your screw heads. Have fun and be safe.

Instructions

Step 1

Notch out the Legs. Mark the 1×3 parts of the legs as shown above. With a jigsaw, cut out as shown above.

Step 2

Attach the End Aprons/Stretcher. Attatch the end aprons, B, to the 1×3 legs pieces, A, as shown above.

Step 3

Complete the Legs. Fasten C, the 1×2 part of the legs, to the rest of the leg. Keep the outside corner flush.

Step 4

Cut the Cross Supports. Cut the cross supports as directed above. Use your square to determine the cuts and mark on the board prior to any cutting. The overall length, from the longest point to the longest point is 25 3/4″. This is by far the trickiest step. What you will need to do on the end cut at two different angles, is first mark out the 60 degree angle from the top corner (when imagining the board in place on the bench). Also mark and cut the bottom angle. Then cut these angles and fit on the bench. Center the bottom on the stretcher. Then mark off where the top overhangs the top of the bench and clip off. This cut does not have to be perfect – you will just need to make sure it sits lower than the top of the bench.

Step 5

Step 6

aprons are not shown in the above diagram 6. Fasten the Cross Supports. Fasten the cross supports as shown above.

Step 7

Top. Fasten the bench to the top, as shown here. If you wish to hide your screw holes, you will need to either predrill through the apron and screw into the underside of the bench or you can purchase small L brackets and fasten the top in place. If you are painting, you can simply predrill and scew through the top into the aprons.

Project Type
Coffee Tables
Bench
Room
Entryway and Mudroom
living room
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

Petit Debutant (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 04:57

I just found your site and I just wanted to say THANK YOU! My to do list just grew and I can't wait to try out some of these projects. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your talent!

Anonymous (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 07:22

I'm so inspired by you. My husband and i recently moved into our first home andwe need a ton of furniture on a 'new home owner' budget. awe have been looking all over town for furniture I like that we can afford, and needless to say after 3 months of looking I still am using Yaffa blocks as nightstands. I love your furniture and you make it look so possible. My new goal is to pick one of your peices to start with!
Thanks.

shelly (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 07:52

Ok...so every time I come to your site my favorite "next" project gets bumped by your latest post!!! Love, love, LOVE the bench!

Anonymous (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 08:09

Oh boy, you really have done it. I need to make myself a new bed. Thank you for the inspiration.
Carolien

Anita (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 08:33

Wow, just found your site and have become a follower. I can't wait to do some browsing. I love furniture and anything related and can spend hours looking through magazines or walking through furniture stores. Come visit with me when you have a chance.

Anonymous (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 09:21

I just came across your site last night and I must say, I am SOO excited! We are doing some MAJOR remodeling on our home right now and I, like you am a stay at home mom with expensive taste, but a very frugal lifestyle. Thank you, I may just be able to get my home to look the way I've always wanted with your help!!

Rachel@onepret… (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 13:18

Yay! I am loving your site so, SO much! I actually have this bench and use it a ton... I would love to make one as well. Thanks so much for this, I'll be linking.

kathi (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 14:42

Oh goodie goodie goodie! I love your blog!! I'm making dollhouse miniature furniture and I LOVE this bench! Your plans could be done in 1 inch equals 1 foot. PERFECT for a dollhouse! :D
Thank you so much! I'm following!
Kathi

Brooke (not verified)

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 18:47

You are amazing. Yet again you design beautiful furniture. I am asking for a nail gun for my Valentines, Mothers Day, Birthday, Anniversary gift :). Thanks Ana!

Jaymie (not verified)

Wed, 01/20/2010 - 11:21

I gasped out loud when I saw this bench! I have been looking for a bench for a long, long time, but refuse to pay a lot of money for one. Thank you, thank you!

Tami (not verified)

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 05:02

I just found your site and LOVE it! I want to make so many of your projects. Your site has given me the inspiration to believe that I CAN build it! My husband and I picked a simple plan to start with - the Hyde Side Table.

Michelle (not verified)

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 09:04

LOVE this bench....would love to see it in a console table height as well. Something for behind the couch, it is FABULOUS!!! Thanks so much for your inspiration!

Julie (not verified)

Sat, 03/13/2010 - 18:53

I just built this today and I did it all by myself!!! I'm soooo proud!
I did find out though that you need more 1x3 boards than you have listed for materials and thought I would let you know. The 3 1x3's added up equals 288 inches. and if you add up the measurements of what you need cut it comes to 288.68 and that's without taking in to consideration that you will lose some length with each cut made.
I can't wait to paint it. And I will post a picture and a link when I'm done.
thank you for all you do and I am looking forward to building MORE!!!!

the Rew Crew (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 09:33

Hi! Love your blog! I just started working on this project today and have a question. My table is small, and I only have about 40 inches between the legs. So, I had my 1x12 cut only to 36" so that it would fit nicely under the table between the legs when not in use.

Now I am having trouble calculating the aprons/stretcher/cross supports. Help! To be precise, my bench top is 36 1/4" long. How do I calculate the size of the other parts? (I'm assuming my legs can remain the same)

argylesocks (not verified)

Thu, 03/25/2010 - 15:27

I am the girl that took all the boy classes in High School and College. I majored in Construction management with a specialty in furniture building. I love that you have this blog. My sister call me a couple of days ago and told me about it. I especially love that you are helping people realize that you do not need a degree to do stuff like this. Basic furniture really is basic. Rock on!

Shannan (not verified)

Sun, 04/11/2010 - 15:25

I am getting ready to build 2 of these benches this week. Your instructions say that it is 6 " shorter than the pottery barn bench. Just wondering if the large unfinished bench and black bench are the same as your plans? The bench in the You tube video looks a lot smaller.

Christina (not verified)

Mon, 04/19/2010 - 08:54

I also built this bench (with the help of my dad's tools) yesterday. My 1x12 (unfortunately) was only 11.25" wide, as as a result, my base piece is sticking out beyond my top...however, we are taking a hand saw and whacking them off (or going to a different store to buy a different 1x12 that's wider!) Has anyone heard of a 1x12 being 3/4" narrower than the measure? I have definitely heard of them being 1/4" narrower, but 3/4"?!

Also, I needed 4 1x3's as well, as a previous poster mentioned. AND, we didn't use a jig saw, we notched the legs with a mitre saw and chisel for an more exact cut.

mcall (not verified)

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 10:38

Hi, I love the rustic bench. I'd like to make it bigger. How can I figure out the dimensions of the stretchers?

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 01/03/2012 - 21:52

Hi, I am working on the rustic bench. I decided I was going to make it taller and turn it in to a table basically. I kept it 54" long but I made my legs 30". I got stumped when I came to cutting the angles for my cross support and saw your post and figured you may have figured it out! Please help!!!

That one girl (not verified)

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 10:41

I just found this site and I'm pretty much in bloggy love. Excuse me while I buy all the lumber out of Home Depot...

Carole Zullo (not verified)

Thu, 10/07/2010 - 08:40

Thank you sooooo much! I found your site a few weeks ago. A friend mentioned you on facebook and I had to investigate. Finally this past weekend, my dear sweet husband was patient enough to show me how to use his saw, and power tools. He didn't even cringe when I used them wrong. So we made this bench and had a blast doing it. In fact all three of our boys played a part in building it too. I have shared your site with all my friends and can't wait to build more.
Ana you ROCK, and really I can't thank you enough!

Aimee (not verified)

Sun, 11/28/2010 - 08:15

I would love to make these longer to go with the Farmhouse Table with stretcher..is this possible???

guest (not verified)

Mon, 05/09/2011 - 11:41

the amount of wood you that is on the shopping list isn't enough to make all the cuts that are needed and you might want to add fasteners to the shopping list as well because they are needed in step 3. disappointed

fethiye

Mon, 06/20/2011 - 10:14

Hi Ana, we no longer can click on the Google Sketch images to make them larger; yes, a larger window pops up but the images are no longer as big because of the space the ads take :(

SteinkeBeyer

Sun, 07/31/2011 - 14:13

Hi,

I'm brand new to the ana white website and love the furniture, but I too, cannot see the sizes on the google sketch images. Is there are fix for this problem. I'm a mac user. Thanks, Joanna

spiceylg

Sat, 08/13/2011 - 10:33

My hubby and I are going to attempt to make two of these starting this weekend. I was going to start cutting however I am having a hard time seeing the measurements on all of the drawings. I enlarged them but they just get distorted and fuzzy. Can anybody help me with this? I don't want to mess it up. We have to finish them this week as they are for a fundraiser next weekend.

spiceylg

Thu, 08/18/2011 - 05:01

Thanx for enlarging the photos Ana, much better. Some of us have older eyes, lol!

Ashleigh (not verified)

Sat, 03/03/2012 - 21:34

I want to make this bench in an 84" length. do you think it's needs support in the middle?

cassiet717

Tue, 08/20/2013 - 10:04

Are the cross supports a structural element or are they more for design? I want to make benches for your "Rustic Table", and these (without the cross supports) most closely match it. Thanks!

jev1977

Mon, 12/23/2013 - 13:53

Hi There,

For the legs, do you make them look like one piece of stock by using wood filler? To fill any small gaps between the 1x2 and 1x3?

I can't quite tell if the bench is sanded to soften the corners for the top, legs and other pieces.

Any feedback would be great. I will start this soon.

Christy_Roseveare

Mon, 10/20/2014 - 11:56

OK.  I really want to make this bench, but I am afraid of the notch cuts.  I can see how to do the L shaped ones on the top of the piece, but I cannot wrap my brain around the lower one with cuts on three sides.  Advice? 

Leischj

Sat, 02/07/2015 - 09:18

I'm surprised nobody has pointed out the shipping list is incorrect for this project. You need 4 1x3s to complete this bench as described. Three 8 ft 1x3s is 288" of lumber. But if you add up all the 1x3s needed in the plan it comes to 301.5. Over a foot short.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!