How to Make a Coastal Style Wood Bench

20 Materials
$60
2 Days
Easy

Below is the tutorial on how to make a Coastal Style Wood Bench: the perfect addition to any entryway!


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Time to Complete 1 day

Materials and Tools






  • 2″ x 11″ x 4′ Oak Board
  • 2″ x 2″ x 8′ Oak Board
  • 1/2″ x 4″ x 2′ Oak Board
  • Miter Saw
  • Measuring Tape
  • Pencil
  • Random Orbit Sander with 120 grit and 220 grit sandpaper
  • 2″ Wood Screws (12)
  • Drill
  • Tack Cloth
  • Clamps
  • Wood Glue
  • Minwax Stainable Wood Filler
  • Minwax Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
  • Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Semi-Transparent Color Stain in Pure White
  • Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Solid Color Stain in Vintage Blue
  • Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish
  • Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush
  • Synthetic Pad
  • Rags

STEP 1: Cut wood using a miter saw.


Cut the following pieces from the 2″ x 2″ board:






  • 4 boards at 16 1/2″ long cut at 11 degrees at both ends
  • 2 boards at 6″ long cut at 11 degrees at both ends
  • 1 board at 34 1/4″ long cut at 90 degrees at both ends


Also cut two pieces from the 1/2″ x 4″ board, each measuring 8″ long and cut at a 90 degree angle at each end.

STEP 2: Sand wood


Using 120 grit sandpaper, sand the pieces of wood using a random orbit sander. Finish sanding using 220 grit sandpaper.Remove any sawdust with a tack cloth.

STEP 3: Assemble the bench legs


Assemble the bench legs using the wood that you just cut and sanded. First assemble the outer two triangle pieces, placing the 6″ boards between two of the 16 1/2″ boards. Use wood glue and screws to secure.


Next add the 1/2″ thick 8″ boards to tops of each assembled triangle.

Then add the long middle board. Make sure to use both wood glue and screws for a strong, tight hold.

STEP 4: Apply Minwax Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to the top of the bench


Since I am creating a two-toned bench with the top and legs different colors, I decided to stain the top before attaching it to the legs. This made staining easier. If you are making your bench all one color, you could assemble it all first and then stain it.


This pre-stain wood conditioner helps ensure that your stain goes on evenly. I’m choosing to use a water-based wood conditioner because I will be using a water-based stain on top of it.


Using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush, apply the wood conditioner to the top of the bench. After you have applied it, remove any excess with a rag within 1-5 minutes of application. After 15-30 minutes, lightly sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper.

STEP 5: Apply Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Solid Color Stain in Vintage Blue


Apply the Solid Color Stain using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush. It’s really easy to apply because it’s a really thick formula: It’s 5 times thicker than traditional oil-based stains. Also, it dries in an hour! I’m impatient so I love this part of it.


Immediately (within 2 minutes) remove any excess stain with a synthetic pad. (Also, how gorgeous is this color?!)

STEP 6: Attach the top of the bench to the legs


Next, I placed the top of the bench onto the legs and secured it from underneath, using screws. The screws are put through the 1/2″ thick pieces of wood that are on the top of each set of legs.

STEP 7: Fill screw holes with wood filler, sand and remove dust with a tack cloth


Fill the screw holes with wood filler, slightly overfilling them. Make sure that the wood filler you are using is stainable if you’ll be staining your bench legs like I did.


Let wood filler dry.


Sand it smooth in line with the wood surface using 220 grit sandpaper. Remove any dust using a tack cloth.

STEP 8: Apply Minwax Water-Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner to the bench legs.


Just like you did with the top of the bench, apply the wood conditioner using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush.


After you have applied it, remove any excess with a rag within 1-5 minutes of application. After 15-30 minutes, lightly sand the surface with 220 grit sandpaper.


STEP 9: Apply Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Semi-Transparent Color Stain in Pure White to the bench legs.

This semi-transparent stain is similar to the solid color stain in that it is water based, dries quickly and is 5 times thicker than traditional oil-based stain. The main difference is how much wood grain shows through the stain. This semi-transparent stain is exactly as the name states: semi-transparent. Therefore, you can see the wood grain really well through the stain.

Apply the Semi-Transparent Color Stain using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush.

STEP 9: Apply Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Semi-Transparent Color Stain in Pure White to the bench legs.


This semi-transparent stain is similar to the solid color stain in that it is water based, dries quickly and is 5 times thicker than traditional oil-based stain. The main difference is how much wood grain shows through the stain. This semi-transparent stain is exactly as the name states: semi-transparent. Therefore, you can see the wood grain really well through the stain.


Apply the Semi-Transparent Color Stain using a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush.


Immediately (within 2 minutes) remove any excess stain with a rag.

STEP 10: Apply Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish with a Purdy 2” XL Sprig Paintbrush.


Applying a polycrcylic finish to the top will help protect it. It will look milky white when you apply it but it dries perfectly clear.


After the polycrylic dries, sand lightly with 220 grit sandpaper. Then apply a second coat of polycrylic.

The Completed Bench!


Your bench will be completely finished now! I love the custom look of it and the warm, organic Vintage Blue color.

Here’s a close-up of it so you can see how beautiful the color is with the wood grain showing through just a bit.

I love the warmth that it adds to my entryway!

Interested in other modern home DIY projects? Check out my modern wood stool tutorial  here!

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Mary @ The Handcrafted Haven
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  1 question
  • Mymkins Mymkins on Feb 20, 2023

    Beautiful bench. Love the soft colors. But why not paint each part separately and then attach the legs to the top?

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