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This is a low, slatted lounge bench sized for children — the source builder's 18-month-old could climb up on it, but it's big and sturdy enough for school-age kids too. It's built entirely from 1x3 and 1x2 boards, slatted like a little settee, and it goes together with a brad nailer and glue with no complicated joinery.
The seat sits at 12", with the seat support placed 11-1/4" off the ground. A couple of refinements from the builder are worth adopting: add an extra 1x2 across the back of the middle support for the backrest to lean against (it makes assembly easier and the back more solid), and put the back-support 1x2 on the inside of the armrests rather than at the very back — it sits the seat back up a little straighter. The top support goes about 2" down from the top.
One assembly-order tip from experience: add the side 1x2s after you've put the back on and in place, because they tend to overlap and it's easier to trim them to fit last. Everything is brad-nailed and glued; sand well since little hands and legs will be all over it. It's an approachable build with a lot of repeated cuts, so a stop block on the miter saw pays off. Finish or paint in a child-safe coating.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x3, 8 ftSeat, back, and side slats. | 7 each |
| 1x2, 8 ftSupports and rails. | 3 each |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4 in and 2 in | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 1 bottle |
| Child-safe paint or finish | 1 quart |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1x3 uprights1x3 | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 18 1/4" |
| 1x3 back slats1x3 | 11 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 19" |
| 1x3 arm parts1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 15 3/4" |
| 1x3 long rails1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 31 1/2" |
| 1x3 seat front/back1x3 | 3 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 33" |
| 1x3 seat slats1x3 | 11 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 12 1/4" |
| 1x3 side pieces1x3 | 2 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 17 1/4" |
| 1x2 top rails1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 33" |
| 1x2 back support1x2 | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 36 1/2" |
| 1x2 seat supports1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 31 1/2" |
| 1x2 side supports1x2 | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 15 3/4" |
Buy 11 boards at 8 ft.
8 boards
3 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 →
The finished seat height is 12", so place the seat support 11-1/4" off the ground (accounting for the seat slat thickness). Add an extra 1x2 across the back of the middle support for the backrest to lean against — it makes assembly easier and gives the back something solid to bear on.
Put the back-support 1x2 on the inside of the armrests rather than at the very back. This sits the seat back up a little straighter and looks better than mounting it flush to the rear.
Place the top support about 2" down from the top. On a bench this size you can skip a separate middle support — it holds up fine without one.
Nail the seat slats and back slats in place with glue and brads, keeping even gaps. Build up the seat and back as the settee shape comes together.
Add the side 1x2s after the back is on and in place — they tend to overlap, so fitting them last lets you trim them to fit cleanly. Sand every edge and slat smooth (kids will be climbing on this), fill nail holes, and finish or paint in a child-safe coating.
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