Cheap & Easy Patio Bench (That Morphed)
5 Materials
$12
3 Hours
Easy
No need for nails with this super easy outdoor bench. We needed a spot for the dogs to hang out on the patio, this bench is just the right height and keeps the informal feel I want out back. This idea can be switched around, added to, or removed easily. And the price fits my small budget. It can be painted or left as is, so many possibilities to personalize.
For this one I used 6 cinder blocks, just slandered builders size/shape. 2 to 4 planks of wood salvaged from the beach.
First, clean and prep the wood you plan to use. Let wood dry and measure your planks to see what size you can or want your bench to be. I went by the length of my shortest board.
Slide the boards in and that is it. I had planned to put plants in the low holes...but Mr. Honey took one look at it and said it looked so uncomfortable that he didn't even want to try it. The dogs showed zero interest in it. Ten minutes later the bench plan morphed. And again, that's the beauty of DIY
He went looking in the wood pile and found a couple of planks. I had planned to use them in the garage, but the bench was tested and approved by all. I took out the 4x4s and we called it done for the weekend. I love using local and natural resources when I can. Also like being able to change elements around, that makes this type of bench easy for me to move or change as needed/wanted. Which brings me to the next weekend 
Mr. Honey wanted space for both dogs at the same time. We picked up some large planks off the beach and turned the blocks over. He cut the ends as close to the same length as possible. The inspector said it's good so I sanded it down and put mineral oil on it. I waited 24 hours and did a water test, the water beaded up as it should.
We found the cushions at Lowe's on sale for $15.00 each. It's nice to have a place to sit with the pups. I have a few other projects going on out here and love being able to get off my feet. The price of my project went up when I add the cushions. You could always DIY some.
Kitley tested and approved 
Easy going Rango , he gave it a paws up!
Love it, perfect for our needs. Until I needed a space to serve as a table for a morning project.
No, I didn't sit on it with the buckets. I'll be back at the store for a few more blocks this weekend! Though we did it over a span of time, the actual set up was fast and easy. You could do it all in an hour if you are ambitious 
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2 of 26 comments
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Mr. Honey and I have both stood on it at the same time to hang some stuff. It held up fine. Love spool tables :)
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Love the bench but your doggo and my doggo look like brothers.
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I am totally curious about the wood you find on the beach. Sounds like you can count on it being there. Does it wash up? Leftovers from a construction project? A construction that is abandoned? We get beach glass on our beaches, but that won't help this project. Lol
your link for the cinder blocks are for mini cinder blocks. is that what you used?
Where can I find precious pooches like yours? xxoo Great project!