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Outdoor Planter Steps or Benches

A two-tier 2x8 platform built to work as garden steps or a stacked bench — 45°-mitered 2x4 top trim and 2x6 treads dress up a genuinely simple stacked-box structure.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 3–4.5 hrs plus finish
Cost: $$

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Bottom step, long sides	2	1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 96"	2x8, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Bottom step, ends Swap for 2x6 stock if you want the bottom step to match the top step's height.	5	1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 18"	2x8, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Top step, long side	1	1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 96"	2x8, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Top step, ends	4	1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 18"	2x8, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Top step, sides	2	1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 21"	2x8, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Top step, back	1	1 1/2" × 7 1/4" × 54"	2x8, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Top step, internal supports	3	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 7 1/2"	2x4, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Tie-in trim Cut to fit.	8	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 14 1/2"	2x4, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Top trim Both ends cut at 45°, long point to long point measurement.	8	1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 22 1/2"	2x4, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	☐
Treads	4	1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 54"	2x6, 10 ft, ground-contact rated	☐

Materials

Item	Qty	✓
2x8, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	6 each	☐
2x4, 8 ft, ground-contact rated	4 each	☐
2x6, 10 ft, ground-contact rated	2 each	☐
Exterior deck screws, 2-3/4"	80 each	☐

Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.