28 DIY Outdoor Bench Ideas for 2025

Creative Functional Features

When you build your own outdoor bench, you can add useful features that make it even better.

Think about including hidden storage inside the seat to keep pillows or garden tools dry and tidy.

Choosing materials that can handle rain and sun means your bench will last for many years.

You can also build small planters right into the ends of the bench to add flowers and greenery to your seating area.

DIY Outdoor Bench Ideas

Wavy Planter Bench

This bench has a unique seat made from wooden boards cut into gentle waves.

The ends of the bench are actually small boxes where you can plant flowers or herbs.

It creates a beautiful and natural spot to sit that feels connected to your garden.

Patriotic Porch Bench

This is a classic black bench with a crossed design on the backrest.

You can make it feel festive by adding red, white, and blue cushions and decorations.

It looks perfect on a front porch or tucked into a cozy garden corner.

Wagon Wheel Bench

For a rustic look, use two old wagon wheels to form the sides of this bench.

The seat is made from wide wooden planks that fit between the wheels.

It makes a charming and conversation-starting piece for a yard.

Corner Slatted Bench

This bench is shaped like an “L” to fit perfectly into a corner of your patio or deck.

It is built with many thin wooden slats, which gives it a light and airy appearance.

It is a great way to add more seating to a small space without it feeling bulky.

Curved Book Bench

This creative bench is designed to look like a giant open book.

The seat is curved like the pages of a book, and the sides are carved to look like the book’s cover.

It is a wonderful addition to a reading nook or a playful garden space.

Minimal Curve Bench

This bench has a very slight curve to the seat, which adds a touch of simple style.

It is built with narrow slats that have small gaps between them to let water drain through.

Its understated design works well with almost any outdoor decor.

Urban Steel Bench

Combine thick wood planks with raw steel legs and brackets for this bench.

The metal parts are left unpainted to show their industrial, rugged texture.

It creates a strong, modern look perfect for a city patio or courtyard.

Pallet Tree Set

Create a circular bench from wooden pallets that wraps around the base of a tree.

You can paint it a bright white and add comfortable cushions for seating.

It turns the space under a tree into a perfect little spot for a picnic.

Rustic Pallet Seat

Use a single wooden pallet to make the seat of this simple bench.

For the legs, use short, sturdy logs to give it a rustic, campground feel.

It is a very quick and economical project that looks great in a natural yard.

Concrete Modern Bench

For this design, use two solid concrete blocks as the base.

Place long, smooth wooden boards across the top to create the seating surface.

The mix of rough concrete and warm wood looks very contemporary and stylish.

Cinder Block Bench

Stack cinder blocks in a short wall shape to create the supports.

Then, slide wooden boards into the holes of the blocks to form the seat.

You can even place small potted plants on top of the blocks for decoration.

Headboard Bench

Find an old wooden headboard from a bed and use it as the back of your bench.

Build a simple wooden box for the seat and attach it to the headboard.

Painting it a fresh color gives it new life as a unique garden seat.

Lit Corner Bench

Build an L-shaped bench that is tucked into a raised garden bed.

You can install small, waterproof LED lights underneath the seat.

This makes it glow beautifully at night for evening gatherings.

Mossy Garden Bench

Take an old bench and let nature take over by encouraging moss to grow on it.

This bench becomes more of a garden sculpture than a place to sit.

It adds a magical, fairy-tale feeling to a shady part of the yard.

Solid Pine Bench

This is a classic, sturdy bench made from thick pieces of pine wood.

It has a wide, comfortable seat and legs that are cut at a slight angle.

Its simple, solid construction will last for many seasons outdoors.

Clip-On Bench

This clever idea uses strong metal brackets that clip onto a low wall or ledge.

Wooden planks are then attached to the brackets to create an instant seat.

It is a perfect solution for adding seating to a patio or balcony railing.

Lattice Display Bench

This bench has a backrest made from crisscrossed wood strips, like a garden lattice.

You can add small hooks or shelves to the backrest for holding pots or tools.

It is both pretty and practical for a small garden space.

Tropical Curve Bench

Build a bench with a gently curved seat that fits around palm trees or large plants.

Use thin wooden slats and paint the legs a dark color for contrast.

It helps you create a relaxing tropical retreat in your own backyard.

Floral Iron Bench

Use a bench frame made from elegant cast iron with designs of flowers and leaves.

Painting it white makes the details stand out beautifully.

This type of bench adds a romantic, old-fashioned touch to a garden path.

Gabion Base Bench

Create the base of this bench by filling wire cages with small stones or rocks.

Place long wooden beams across the top of these sturdy stone bases.

The combination is very modern and makes a strong visual statement.

Raw Stone Bench

For a permanent natural look, use a large, flat piece of stone as the seat.

You can set it directly on the ground or on two smaller stone supports.

It blends right into the landscape and feels very peaceful and solid.

Daybed Style Bench

Build a wide, low bench that is meant for lying down, like a daybed.

Add a thick, waterproof mattress and lots of pillows for comfort.

It creates the ultimate spot for an afternoon nap in the sun.

Circular Tree Bench

Build a circular bench that completely surrounds a tree trunk in your yard.

You can make it with two or three levels of seating so several people can sit.

It is a fantastic way to create a social spot in the shade of a tree.

Angled Support Bench

This bench gets its unique look from legs that are cut on a sharp diagonal.

The angled pieces also make the bench very strong and stable.

It has a handmade, geometric style that stands out.

Patriotic Slat Bench

This is a simple wooden bench with a slatted seat and back.

You can stain the wood a natural color and then add patriotic-themed cushions.

It is an easy-to-build project that looks great for summer holidays.

Victorian Iron Bench

Look for a bench made from intricate cast iron with lots of curls and patterns.

These are often called “heritage” or “antique” style benches.

Place it in a formal garden area to add a touch of elegance and history.

Slanted Arm Bench

This modern bench has a clean design with armrests that slant outward.

The wood is usually a rich, warm tone like teak or walnut.

Its sharp angles give it a very chic and contemporary appearance.

Brick Base Bench

Build two short pillars out of bricks to use as the supports for this bench.

Place a long, solid piece of wood or a stone slab across the top to sit on.

Adding outdoor cushions makes it a comfortable and permanent seating wall.