Build a rustic bench

Creating the look

Consider the setting for your bench. A rustic bench is a natural addition to a woodland or cottage garden. It would look good overlooking a pond, or next to a meadow sown with wildflower seeds.

Always ensure the wood has been obtained from a sustainable resource - look for the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) label.

What to do

Time needed

Half a day

You will need

• Approximately 1.5m (5ft) of roughly cut timber
• 2 logs
• 2 coach screws
• Spade
• Mallet
• Drill

Step by step

• Source a piece of roughly cut timber, ideally local, untreated wood with the bark on, as this will enhance its rustic look.
• As this is an informal bench with a simple construction line up the logs and timber by eye.
• Dig two holes to place the logs in. Dig far enough down to secure the logs so that you get an appropriate height for the bench. Space each log far enough apart to support the timber that will form the seat of the bench.
• Place the logs in the hole and use the soil you dug out to back fill. Compact the soil by stamping down with your feet or using a heavy mallet. There is no need to use concrete or a sand-based mix to hold the supporting logs in place.
• Drill one coach screw into the top of each log and smear the top with mud.
• Lift the roughly cut timber up onto the logs, position and remove.
• The mud will mark the timber; this will show you where to drill to slot the timber onto the coach screws. Drill the holes wide and deep enough screw in tightly.
• Finally, lift the timber back up onto logs, slotting it onto the coach screws.
• Once in place plant around the seat to enhance its natural beauty.

Five plants to try

Woodland flowers and grasses, planted around the base, will accentuate the rustic style of this bench.

• Primula veris
• Hyacinthoides non-scripta
• Carex elata 'Aurea'
• Narcissus 'Tete-a-tete'
• Chionodoxa luciliae