15 Easy, Free DIY Benches

Stacy Fisher, Writer

Stacy is an expert writer for The Spruce covering home DIY projects and crafts. She has over 18 years of journalistic experience, appearing as a DIY expert on the Dr. Oz Show and several radio shows. She has published hundreds of articles and co-authored a book.

Updated on 09/20/22

A living room with a bench, pillows, and a wall hanging

Use one of these free DIY bench plans to build a bench for any area of your home, inside or outside. It's a great beginner builder project, taking just a few tools and supplies that you may even already have on hand. These are also quick projects to complete, taking just an afternoon from start to finish.

These DIY benches come in a wide variety of styles from modern to rustic and everywhere in between. They're the perfect place to sit and take off your shoes or to show off a plant or book collection. It's also a great solution for extra seating since they don't take up much space.

Modern Rustic Bench

An entryway with a rug and bench

Bring your entryway to life with this DIY bench plan. It builds a modern and rustic bench made out of rough cut maple and acts as a place to sit as well as a decorative shelf for plants. Modern Rustic Bench from The Merrythought

Tufted Bench

A black and white bench in a bedroom

You can elevate a basic bench by adding a tufted cushion to it. This project has you build a simple bench frame from common boards and chair legs and then add a tufted foam cushion on the top. It would look great at the dining room table or at the foot of a bed. Tufted Bench from Ursula Carmona of Home Made by Carmona

West Elm Knock-Off Bench

A black and white bench sitting outside

This DIY bench is inspired by one from West Elm. By making it yourself, you can save hundreds of dollars. The finished DIY project only costs $15 in materials! West Elm Knock-Off Bench from Ursula Carmona of Home Made by Carmona

Woven Bench

A bench with shoes

Here's a basic bench frame that has a woven top made of jute and cotton cording. Along with the natural wood, it really adds a modern and casual feel to any room its in. Woven Bench from The Merrythought

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Bedside Bench

A bedroom with a colorful bench

If you're looking for an easy to build bench that makes a statement, this is the perfect DIY project for you. Plywood is simply covered with foam batting and then wrapped with a small area rug. The whole thing is held up with some mid-century modern hairpin legs. Bedside Bench from A Beautiful Mess

Woven Leather Bench

A living room with a bench, pillows, and a wall hanging

Here's another bench that has a woven top, but this one uses camel-colored leather strips. It uses a pre-built bench, similar to one that you'd find at IKEA so most of the work is already done for you. Woven Leather Bench from A Beautiful Mess

Easy Farmhouse Bench

A bench outside with colorful flowers

Just two 2x4 boards are used to build this classic farmhouse-style bench. It costs less than $20 to build and comes together very quickly. This is the perfect choice for a first-time woodworker. Easy Farmhouse Bench from Remodelaholic

Modern 2x4 Bench

A wooden bench sitting outside

This DIY bench plan builds a modern 2x4 bench that can be built in a single afternoon. This bench would look great anywhere in your home but it's also solid enough to keep outside, all year round. It would make a great addition to any outdoor seating that you already have. Modern 2X4 Bench from Girl, Just DIY!

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Mid-Century Triangle Leg Bench

A bench in an entryway with a blue pillow

This unique bench is inspired by mid-century design and showcases some unique triangle-shaped legs. It's a smaller bench and uses just 2x2s and 1x3s. Just because it's small doesn't mean this bench isn't a showstopper. Mid-Century Triangle Leg Bench from Remodelaholic

Farmhouse Bench

An outdoor table and chairs

Here's another plan for a bench that has a farmhouse style to it. In addition to the building instructions, you'll also find finishing directions for how to paint and distress the bench. This is a great straightforward project that will help you build a basic bench for your space. Farmhouse Bench from Refresh Restyle

Modern Low Bench

A colorful bench low to the ground

This bench sits very low to the ground, giving it a modern and comfortable feel. You could use it as seating, but it really shines when being used as an elevated area for plants, books, pillows, or any other decorative item. Modern Low Bench from Sugar and Cloth

Outdoor Bench

A wooden bench in a yard

This bench plan takes you from start to finish for building a bench that's made to be used outside in all sorts of weather. The X legs that are used give it instant style and will make it a great addition to your patio furniture. Outdoor Bench from Bitter Root DIY

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Live Edge Wood Bench

A bench in front of a piano

This low-profile modern bench shows off a live edge cedar slab and metal hairpin legs. It's used here as a piano bench but it would work great in any small space area. Life Edge Wood Bench from Delia Creates

Barn Beam Floating Bench

A barn beam bench with pillows and shoes

This unique DIY bench plan uses a salvaged barn beam. It's built as a floating bench, making it the perfect fit for a mudroom or entryway. Barn Beam Floating Bench from Wood Grain Cottage

Easy Garden Bench

A grouping of benches in a garden

You won't believe how easy it is to build this garden bench. With just a few materials and supplies you can build this bench that looks great outdoors but would also shine in an entryway. These are so easy that you'll want to build a group of them and set them wherever you have room. There's even a video in addition to written instructions so you can be sure to be successful. Easy Garden Bench from Delia Creates

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