This farmhouse bench is easy to build and is rustic and substantial. It is designed to match our Farmhouse Table Plans.
Preparation
4 – 2x4s, stud length or 8 foot length
2 – 1x4s, 8 foot length
1 – 1×2, 8 foot length
2 1/2″ screws
2″ screws
8 – 2x4s @ 16 1/2″ (Legs)
2 – 1×4 @ 2 1/4″ (Spacers)
2 – 1×4 @ 6″ (End Aprons)
2 – 2×4 @ 12″ (Stretchers)
2 – 1×4 @ 61″ (Side Aprons)
2 – 1×4 @ 9 1/2″ (Inner Aprons)
5 – 1×2 @ 9 1/2″ (Supports)
4 – 2×4 @ 65″ (Bench Seat Boards)
2 – 1×4 @ 14″ (Breadboard Ends)
The Farmhouse Bench is designed to work with this Farmhouse Table, but there is no reason you could not modify the dimensions or use it as a coffee table or outdoor bench. If you plan to build the Farmhouse Table, starting with the bench will give you a chance to test out your skills on a smaller version. For those of you who have a pocket hole system, you can use the pocket holes to build your bench seat separate. You can also fasten your aprons directly to the legs without spacers.
Instructions
Step 1
Legs The notches and stretchers on the legs is optional. Notch out your legs (for full instructions see the Farmhouse Table post) and laminate your legs together in pairs of 2 with glue and 2 1/2″ screws. Then take note of the placement of the spacers and attach to the insides of the legs. This will differ depending on the leg. Attach with 2″ screws and glue.
Step 2
End Aprons Attach end aprons to the spacers as shown above. Use glue and 2″ screws.
Step 3
Stretcher The stretcher gets attached in the same method. Screws and glue.
Step 4
Bench Frame Build the bench frame, keeping the 1×2 supports flush to the top. Easy method is to flip it all over and keep the supports flush to the bottom :)
Step 5
Step 6
Seat Boards Find the center of the supports and begin attaching seat boards from the underside. Work with the boards to minimize gaps as you go. Attach all seat boards. If you have a pocket hole system, you would build your bench seat separate, and then attach.
Step 7
Breadboard Ends If you have a pocket hole system, you would attach the breadboard ends directly to the seat boards in step 6. Otherwise, attach to leg bases.
Step 8
Finishing If you are staining, be very careful to not let glue dry on the project, as these areas will not take stain. Fill holes with wood filler, sand and paint or stain as desired.
Comments
Tabatha (not verified)
Sat, 04/28/2012 - 05:54
Hi. Does anyone have any
Hi. Does anyone have any ideas to keep food and crumbs from eventually packing down in between the boards on top?
Jenny Klein (not verified)
Sun, 05/13/2012 - 20:30
Can anyone help?
I made the farmbench and LOVE it!! But when I attach the top seat to the base (which is sturdy alone) One leg comes up and the bench rocks back and forth...any ideas of how to fix it???
In reply to Can anyone help? by Jenny Klein (not verified)
4U2C
Wed, 08/22/2012 - 09:28
You may need to add a spacer
You may need to add a spacer between one set of legs (on one of the (2)2x4's that are 16.5" long. I've used paint stirrers to gap boards, when in a pinch.
Matt
John, mcleight21 (not verified)
Fri, 06/22/2012 - 22:32
FarmHouse Bench
I don't get it, If the Bench Seat Boards are 2"X4" and the Breadboard ends are 1"X4" then after you got it all together won't the 2'X4"s (Bench Seat Boards) be sitting higher than the 1"X4" (Bread Board ends)? Can Someone please explain this for me?
In reply to FarmHouse Bench by John, mcleight21 (not verified)
Lady Goats
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 12:29
You are correct
I think that must've been a typo. From the looks of it, the breadboard ends in the sketchup and in the photo are 2x4s.
John, mcleight21 (not verified)
Sat, 06/23/2012 - 22:18
FarmHouse Bench
I thought so, Thanks Lady Goats.
Chad (not verified)
Wed, 08/29/2012 - 17:53
The bread boards are wrong.
The bread boards are wrong. You have to use 2 x 4's not 1 x 4's. The cut list is also wrong. For the legs you need to double that. I also bought 6 2 x 4's.
Becky Cornwall (not verified)
Tue, 09/11/2012 - 10:42
Farmhouse Bench
I made a Farmhouse table but counterheight, do you think I could make this bench counterheight as well?
Thank You
BeckyC (not verified)
Tue, 09/11/2012 - 10:44
Farmhouse Bench
I made a Farmhouse table but counterheight, do you think I could make this bench counterheight as well?
Thank You
ShaunB (not verified)
Sat, 10/13/2012 - 22:58
Thank you Ana!!
I just finished building this bench, but I made a few modifications to the plans. For the breadboard ends I used 2x8s instead of the 2x4s. I also left off the spacers and end aprons between the legs and added another 2x4 stretcher on the top of the legs to give the breadboard ends more support. I had to adjust the length of the seat boards in order to keep the length the same. I used 2x4s for the end aprons on the bench frame, and 2x2s for the seat supports. I used a table saw to notch out the legs for the stretchers and they turned out great after using a chisel smooth the grooves. I also used a round-over bit and routed the entire outside edge and around the feet to avoid splintering. A few passes with 80 and 220 grit, and a couple coats of stain and polyurethane and it looks great. Thank you Ana for such a great plan. I really like your work and look forward to using more of your plans in the future.