How to make a storage bench

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 19 August 2019 at 2:18 pm

A home-made storage bench is the perfect place to hide garden clutter. We show you how to make one.

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In a small city garden, space is always at a premium. Trying to achieve a beautiful, flower-filled utopia isn’t easy when our daily life comes with so much clutter, be it a rotary clothes drier, tools or children’s plastic toys. By creating a storage space inside a garden bench, you get a practical, attractive seating area as well as a space to tidy away (Premium) the sometimes unsightly necessities of life.

Adjust sizes and quantities for how long and deep you want your bench to be. The one made here is 2m x 80cm x 40cm. You’ll find all these materials at your local DIY store – cost approximately £100.

You Will Need

Concrete blocks 440mm x 220mm x 100mm (4)
Building sand 25kg bag (3)
Sharp sand 25kg bag (3)
Cement 25kg bag (1)
Softwood battens 100mm x 25mm
Softwood decking lengths
30mm screws
Galvanised hinges (4)
Wheelbarrow
Shovel
Spirit level
Brick bolster
Club hammer

Step 1

How to make a storage bench - making the sides

Make the bench on a flat surface such as a patio. Build the sides (you’ll only need three if it's against a wall) with the cement blocks, cutting them with a bolster if required.

Step 2

How to make a storage bench - building the sides

Mix the mortar using a ratio of 3:3:1 sharp sand/building sand/cement. Lay each block on a mortar bed and tap the blocks level (check with a spirit level).

Step 3

How to make a storage bench - adding the decking board

Make a frame using the softwood battens on top of the concrete blocks. Cut to the same length as the blocks and fixed to the concrete blocks with screws.

Step 4

How to make a storage bench - making the frame

Fix another two batten lengths together to create a T-shaped brace within the blocks to support the back of the frame and the two seat bases/lids.

Step 5

How to make a storage bench - adding the decking board

Cut one deck board to the same length as the bench, and fix it to the top at the back. Cut the rest to half the length to form the two seat bases/lids.

Step 6

How to make a storage bench - screwing the deck boards to batten

To make the seat bases/lids, use screws to attach the halved deck boards to two sections of batten, cut to the right length.

Step 7

How to make a storage bench - adding the hinges

Align each seat base/lid with the bench to make sure it fits correctly. Once in position, fit the hinges, one to each lid, in line with the battens.

Step 8

How to make a storage bench - painting the bench

Render the concrete blocks with the same sand and cement mixture used to lay the blocks. When it’s set paint the whole thing with exterior grade paint.

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