You can decorate your garden with a bench, which is made from different materials. It will look original and interesting, especially if you make such an element of landscape design with your own hands. Before starting work, you need to consider the main types of garden benches. This will allow you to develop a unique design.
The type of shop can be very different. The choice depends on the style of the exterior of the country house, as well as the taste preferences of the owners. The design can be either the simplest or multifunctional. How to make a shop with your own hands will be discussed in detail in the article.
General requirements
Creating benches and benches with your own hands (photos of some samples are presented in the article), it is necessary to consider the features of this design. It must be functional. Therefore, when developing a design, it is necessary to take into account the requirements of standards. In this case, it will be possible to create a convenient bench for relaxation.
Particular attention is paid to the ergonomics of the design. All lines must be smooth, straight or sharp corners are not allowed. This is a place to relax. Comfort and convenience are paramount. It is welcome if the shop has a back. Although some models can do without it.
The bench must withstand high loads. Therefore, the flimsy, wobbling design will not work. The quality of materials, fittings and joints put forward high demands. The design should be thought out to the smallest detail. If necessary, it is better to provide additional strapping than to repair a broken shop over time.
Do-it-yourself benches, benches for summer cottages are created from a variety of materials. The choice depends on the style of the site, as well as the skills of the master. If he knows the forging technique, the best option would be to make a bench made of metal. More often create benches made of wood. However, not every master can cope with this material. Therefore, there are many options for creating benches from improvised means, plastic, old furniture, etc.
When choosing a material, it is important to pay attention to its quality. There should be no defects on the surfaces. It should be borne in mind that the shop will be in the open air. Even if a portable structure is created, the material must be resistant to sunlight, wind, etc. Otherwise, such a structure will not be durable. Stationary structures are created exclusively from weather-resistant materials. They should not collapse under the influence of moisture, temperature changes.
Varieties
Deciding to build a shop for a summer residence with your own hands (photos of finished products can be considered further), you need to decide on the type of design. A bench can have a backrest or do without it. For long gatherings in the fresh air, it is recommended to opt for constructions with a back. Rest in this case will be comfortable. If the bench is needed for a short break from work, for example, in the garden, you can put a bench without a back. You can sit on it from both sides.
Especially popular are bench-changeling. This is a design on two supports on the sides. The seat in it is below the level of the handrail by 7-10 cm. In the inverted form, you can kneel on the seat and do the work in the garden. In this case, one does not have to bend over and over again, loading the legs and lower back. When the summer resident is tired of working on the beds, he can turn the bench over and sit on its seat.
Creating a bench with your own back, you can make it even more functional. Below, under the seat, a drawer can be provided. It will be possible to store various things in it, for example, garden tools, tools, children's toys, a barbecue set. You can divide the box space into compartments. So it will turn out to put here different objects for their intended purpose.
Another good option may be a bench, which is built around a tree. In this case, you can enjoy the coolness under the sprawling branches. If the tree is fruitful or has solid fruits (for example, acorns), be sure to make a canopy over the bench. Looks impressive store, which covers a group of small trees. A small terrace is being built around them. She will serve as a bench. Instead of a backrest, pillows can be provided. They are leaning against the trees. This will allow you to enjoy outdoor recreation.
Installation options
When deciding to make benches with your own hands, photos of the options of which are presented below, you need to decide how the design will be installed. It can be under a canopy. In this case, the materials can be selected less demanding. More often garden benches are installed in the open. They can have a canopy from the sun and bad weather.
Also, all designs of shops are divided into stationary, portable and suspended varieties. In the first case, before installing the bench, you will need to create a small foundation. It may be columnar. To do this, dig holes in the places where the legs of the bench will be installed. The depth should be below the freezing point of the soil. Otherwise, the supports may push out of the recesses in winter. Sand and gravel are poured down the pits, cement is poured. The supports are made of concrete (formwork needs to be done) or brick (make masonry).
A bench mounted on poles cannot be moved. It will always be in the place where it was built. These are usually heavy, massive structures. They are made of different materials.
Portable shops are often very light. They can be folded for easy storage. There are also portable structures that do not fold before you bring them into the house. For example, it could be a pipe shop. With your own hands to assemble such a design is not difficult. Also for portable structures used wood. It should not be too massive (for example, a bar or log).
Another interesting option is hanging shops. They are a kind of swing. At such a shop, both adults and children like to relax. The bench is suspended on chains that are attached to a support. She will not sway too much. However, the smooth movements of the shop will calm, set up for rest.
Application area
It’s relatively easy to make benches and benches with your own hands, if you choose the right material. You should also pay attention to the purpose of the design. In some cases, the owners of the cottage create a bench exclusively for decorative purposes. It is not intended for relaxation. On such a bench, flowerbeds are equipped, installing it necessarily in a conspicuous place in the garden. Such a shop may be fragile. For example, it is made from weaving branches, nets covered with climbing plants, etc.
More often, a bench performs a very practical function. For example, it could be a shop near the dining table. It must be durable, accommodate a sufficiently large number of people. The bench should be combined with the style of the table. Most often, portable structures are made. If the table and benches are located in a closed gazebo, they can be stationary.
You can also make a bench in the bathhouse with your own hands. It can be taken out onto the street, leaving it near the building. If necessary, the bench is brought into the rest room of the bath. It is set near the table. Street shops can only be suitable for a steam room if they are made exclusively from certain types of wood (for example, larch). Pine, oak benches for a steam room are not suitable.
A bench can be installed in the recreation area. It can be equipped with a fountain, waterfalls, flower garden. Also, shops are always set near the hearth or barbecue. The choice of design for such a bench depends on the style of landscape design. Do not put a bench in front of the garage, outbuildings. Sitting on it, the owners of the cottage should enjoy the views of nature, garden or recreation area. Therefore, the location of the shop must be carefully considered.
Plastic
One of the easiest materials to use is plastic. Studying the methods of how to make a shop with your own hands, you should consider this option first. Plastic is not afraid of rain, snow. It does not deteriorate with temperature changes. Therefore, garden benches made of this material can be left for a long time in the open.
Plastic is also a lightweight material. It will be easy to move the bench to another place or remove it for the winter to a house or a barn. For this reason, garden benches are often created from plastic. Their cost will be relatively low. And different plastic materials will do. For example, polycarbonate sheets may be used. To do this, collect a metal or wooden frame. Polycarbonate sheets suitably cut on them are installed.
To assemble a shop with your own hands from a profile pipe and plastic, you do not need to have special skills. All elements are assembled using metal corners, screws. This is a relatively simple version of benches.
Another option for a bench made of plastic is the use of ordinary water pipes with a diameter of 40-50 mm. In this case, you need to show imagination. They buy several pieces of pipes, as well as corners. A bench is assembled like a constructor. The flooring is made of fabric. Pipes are usually gray. To make garden furniture more interesting, it is painted with waterproof paints. It turns out an original, beautiful bench, which can be easily disassembled or moved to the house.
The disadvantage of plastic is its short life. It quickly becomes scratched. Therefore, a number of other materials are also used.
Stone and metal
DIY benches and benches can be made of stone. It is a heavy, strong and durable material. Such a shop will last for many decades. You can use artificial and natural stone. However, it is worth considering that this material is very cold, you can not sit on it without a special flooring, even in summer. Therefore, constructing a bench made of stone, you will need to stock up with special decorative mattresses and pillows. They can be covered in the cold period even in several layers.
A stone bench looks spectacular near a garden hearth. It is necessarily mounted on the foundation. This bench looks very impressive.
Another popular material for creating garden benches is metal. It is also used in combination with wood. The bench can be assembled from a profile pipe. In this case, it will be quite massive. Twisted benches made of forged elements look much better. This is a rather complicated technique. To make a shop out of metal with your own hands, you will need to master the technique of hot or cold forging.
Do-it-yourself blacksmiths make such benches with their own hands. To independently create all the twisted elements from metal, you will need a special room and equipment. It is much easier to order all the elements for the bench and assemble them yourself by welding.
The metal is exposed to weather conditions. Therefore, it must be painted. Moreover, the restoration of the coating will need to be carried out quite often. Once a year, the shop must be painted. Therefore, not every owner decides to create a shop of metal.
Wood
More often, the owners of a summer house or a country cottage make a bench with their own hands from wood. This material has many advantages. It harmonizes well with the natural environment, creating a single image of landscape design. At the same time, wood is easy to process. From it you can create truly original compositions. Moreover, not only boards or timber are used, but also logs, stumps, slabs, branches, etc. The author’s fantasy in this case is unlimited.
Wood is a warm material. Such a shop does not require the use of additional mattresses or flooring. However, often the design is quite light. If the shop was assembled from boards, it can be moved or brought into the house. Fundamental, dimensional benches can also be created. To do this, use logs, saw cuts, stumps, etc. This will really be a work of art.
You can decorate the shop with hand carvings. Also this material has a beautiful texture. Annual rings, wood bumps almost never hide behind a layer of paint. The surface is coated with colored or transparent varnish. This allows you to apply the appropriate shade to the finish. The natural beauty of the material in this case remains unchanged.
Creating shops with your own hands from wood, you should also be aware of the shortcomings of this material. It can be deformed by moisture. Therefore, you need to choose wood that has been quality dried. Also, this material is susceptible to decay, is destroyed by insects and other pests. Therefore, it will need to be additionally treated with an antiseptic. Also this material burns well. Therefore, equipping a recreation area with a barbecue, benches should be put away from the fire.
The advantages of the material cover all its disadvantages. Therefore, owners of cottages and private homes often choose this option.
Tools at hand
Do-it-yourself benches can be made from improvised means. If there are objects in the house that are difficult to find use for, they can be used for these purposes. For example, a popular option is to create benches from wooden pallets that remained after construction. Pallets are used for the construction of a variety of objects. This is a cheap material that requires minimal processing. Benches from pallets are assembled quickly and simply. For this, corners, screws and wooden bars are used. After assembly, the pallets are painted in different colors, covered with pillows and decorative mattresses.
Old car tires can also come in handy. They are often used for landscaping the cottages. For a garden bench, this option is also quite suitable. You need to put an old wooden box near the wall (height 40-50 cm). Old tires are attached to the wall. For this, dowels or self-tapping screws are used. You can fill the base with a wooden plank, and fix the tires already on it. This is a simple job. A few more tires are stacked on the box. They are also better to fix with screws. Inside each tire lay pillows. The soft bench is ready!
Considering options for how to make a shop with your own hands, you need to pay attention to the use of old furniture. For example, the farm has an old, already unnecessary chest of drawers or wardrobe, several nightstands. They make beautiful garden furniture. The backs of chairs can also be used. In the design process of the shop you need to show imagination. In this case, almost any unnecessary thing can gain a second life.
After building a house, different materials may remain. They are also often used for the construction of shops. The product will turn out original, functional and inexpensive.
Preparation for the assembly of a wooden bench
A do-it-yourself garden bench is often assembled from wood. Therefore, this option is worth considering in detail. You need to create a bench design. It indicates its size. For 3 people, the seat length should be at least 1.5 m. Its width is 45-50 cm. The height of the backrest can be different (standard 90 cm). The angle of inclination should be from 17 to 20 °.
When the project is developed, all the individual details are carefully thought out and outlined, you can purchase material and prepare tools. Before starting work, wooden surfaces are ground and treated with antifungal impregnations.
First create the hind legs. To do this, mark the height of the bench seat on the beam. Here the legs will be straight. Next, you need to measure the distance, which will correspond to the height of the back. From the mark made to the end of the beam make a cut. It should have a tilt angle of 17-20 °. Both legs must be absolutely identical.
Next, make the front legs. They must be straight. Next, other details for the bench are cut. Their angles are better to round. After thorough grinding, you can proceed to the assembly of parts.
Assembly shop
Do-it-yourself benches are assembled in accordance with a previously developed plan. When all the parts have been prepared, begin assembly from the rear legs. They are fastened with a beam. The distance from both sides of the beam to the legs should be the same. The evenness of fixation is checked by the building level.
From above the legs will be rigidly attached to the back. It is necessary to mount the frame for the seat. 2 front legs are fixed to the beam. Boards are nailed to the frame.It is better to make the distance between each flooring element about 2 mm. This is necessary to quickly drain water from the surface of the seat after rain. Also, with the help of screws, the back is collected.
After that, you need to further strengthen the bottom. To do this, a beam is filled between the rear and between the front legs. Thin bars can be used, which will be nailed between the legs crosswise.
Self-tapping screws need to be deepened into the material so that their hats do not rise above the surface. Next, the surface is again ground and coated with two layers of varnish. You can also create the desired shade using a stain. This will create an interesting decorative effect.
Having considered the options for creating a shop with your own hands, you can develop an original project. The bench, assembled independently, will be a real decoration of the garden. It will become a favorite vacation spot for the whole family.