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A kid-scale garden bench with a trellis arbor overhead and slatted flower-pot shelves built into the sides.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 48" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Side trellis rails | 6 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 16" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Seat supports and top rail | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 52" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Seat and backrest slats | 11 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 16" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Seat and backrest slats, short Slightly shorter piece from the end of the board, used to conserve stock. | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15 1/2" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Flower pot base / top trellis slats | 12 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 24" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Seat back support | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 36" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Seat back base | 1 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 33" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Seat back top | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 33" | Cedar | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar, 1x6, 8 ft (Cedar) | 2 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 2x2, 8 ft (Cedar) | 3 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 1x2, 8 ft (Cedar) | 3 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 1x4, 10 ft (Cedar) | 3 each | ☐ |
| Cedar, 1x3, 8 ft (Cedar) | 4 each | ☐ |
| Galvanized screws, 1-1/4", 2", and 3" | 1 box | ☐ |
| Wood glue, exterior/waterproof | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Cedar, 2x2, 8 ft, Cedar, 1x2, 8 ft, Wood glue, exterior/waterproof
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.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Cedar, 1x6, 8 ft, Cedar, 1x4, 10 ft
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.
Materials: Cedar, 1x3, 8 ft
Attach the flower-pot base slats to the lower sides of the frame — space them to suit whatever pots you plan to display.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Level. Materials: Cedar, 1x3, 8 ft, Wood glue, exterior/waterproof
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.
Tools: Random Orbit Sander
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.