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This bench does three jobs with one frame: it's a seat, a plant stand (the slatted flower-pot bases on each side), and a trellis (the arbor overhead). Build the two side trellis assemblies first and check them identical before you connect them with the seat — the distance between the front and back legs has to match at both the seat height and the top of the arbor, or the whole structure racks sideways once climbing vines add weight up top.
The seat height is genuinely adjustable in this plan — mount it higher for older kids without changing anything else about the design. Because this lives outside and holds a child's weight, use galvanized fasteners throughout; anything else will rust and stain the wood within a season or two.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Cedar, 1x6, 8 ft | 2 each |
| Cedar, 2x2, 8 ft | 3 each |
| Cedar, 1x2, 8 ft | 3 each |
| Cedar, 1x4, 10 ft | 3 each |
| Cedar, 1x3, 8 ft | 4 each |
| Galvanized screws, 1-1/4", 2", and 3" | 1 box |
| Wood glue, exterior/waterproof | 4 oz |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| LegsCedar | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 48" |
| Side trellis railsCedar | 6 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 16" |
| Seat supports and top railCedar | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 52" |
| Seat and backrest slatsCedar | 11 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 16" |
| Seat and backrest slats, shortCedarSlightly shorter piece from the end of the board, used to conserve stock. | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15 1/2" |
| Flower pot base / top trellis slatsCedar | 12 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 24" |
| Seat back supportCedar | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 36" |
| Seat back baseCedar | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 33" |
| Seat back topCedar | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 33" |
Buy 18 boards at 8 ft.
4 boards
3 boards
4 boards
5 boards
2 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Attach the leg and side-rail pieces into two matching side frames using 2" screws and glue. Check each for square as you go — these two frames set the geometry for the whole bench, and any difference between them will rack the finished structure.
Build the seat assembly from the seat supports and slats, then attach the two leg frames to it. The seat can be mounted higher on the legs than shown if you want the bench sized for older kids — nothing else about the build changes.
Attach the flower-pot base slats to the lower sides of the frame — space them to suit whatever pots you plan to display.
Before attaching the top trellis, confirm the distance between the front and back legs matches exactly what it was at the seat — any difference here is what causes the arbor to rack once it's carrying vine weight. Screw the top trellis slats on with 2" screws and glue.
Build the backrest assembly from the seat back support, base, and top rail, then attach it to the bench frame at the back of the seat.
Sand every edge smooth — this is a bench built for kids to climb on and around. Leave the cedar raw to weather naturally, or apply an exterior finish.
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