You can decorate a summer cottage or a personal plot with the help of various objects of landscape design. One of them is a garden bench. It will allow you to relax and enjoy the surrounding landscapes. In this case, the bench should be in harmony with the overall design of the site. It can become its decoration, if you pay attention to the aesthetic beauty of the design. In particular, you can opt for a bench with a back.
Varieties
Garden benches (photo below) differ in many ways. They have a different design. Existence of a back allows to make rest more comfortable. So a person can completely relax, indulging in the contemplation of the surrounding nature. Shops with a back are made of different materials. Their appearance also depends on this.
Of course, you can buy a ready-made inexpensive garden bench. The cost of folding plastic models is 800 rubles. and higher. Benches made of wood and metal cost from 2,000 rubles. However, a handmade product will be truly original and spectacular. It will not work to save a lot when making a home-made bench with a back. However, the appearance of such a product can be many times better than that of purchased models.
First you need to develop a scheme for the future bench. Before this, you should determine the type of design, as well as select the optimal set of materials. A bench with a backrest differs in the installation method. There are stationary and portable models. You can also install swing benches. The choice depends on the preferences of the owners of the house.
Stationary benches with a back mounted on the foundation. They can no longer be shifted. In this way, heavy or dimensional benches are more often installed. Folding structures are easy to move to the house in case of bad weather or for the winter. These are lightweight simple structures that are most often assembled from plastic or wood.
Original look on the site of the bench-swing. This option is especially suitable for families with children. And adults love to relax on such a bench, slightly rocking it like a hammock. This sets in to rest and relaxation. On such a bench it is pleasant to conduct leisurely conversations and enjoy the evening sunset, the smell of the forest and garden flowers.
Appointment
As can be seen in the photo, garden benches vary in functionality. There are several categories of similar designs. The first group includes front benches. They are installed rather with a decorative purpose. Therefore, such shops are almost always located in front of the house or in the area of the entrance to the cottage or cottage. This category of shops may not even be intended for people to relax. They are decorated with flowerpots, creating original compositions for landscaping.
Often a garden bench is an element of a water composition. It is equipped with a pool, a pond or a waterfall. Next to small fountains, such a bench would be appropriate, as the murmur of water calms, adjusts to peace and harmony with nature. Also, the shop can be installed next to the hearth, barbecue or just in a beautiful place. Here you can enjoy the surrounding beauty.
Often, such structures are installed next to the dining table. Garden benches in this case can be arranged under a canopy or in the open. When developing their design, the appearance of the table and the decor of the site are taken into account. If the table and bench are installed in a closed gazebo, they can be mounted permanently. They will not be hurt by weather conditions. The table and bench in the open must be portable. It is better to make a lightweight portable design. The bench can be folded up.
A bench can become more functional if you provide a box under the seat for storing different things. If the shop is arranged near the beds, here you can put the necessary equipment. A bench set next to the playground in the recreation area can be a place to store toys.
Plastic and stone
Folding or lightweight portable structures can easily be made of plastic. You can even make a popular garden changeling bench. At the same time, you can refine its design, providing for the presence of a folding back. Such a bench greatly simplifies the work in the garden. No more bending over when working on beds. If necessary, turn the bench over, take out the back and rest.
To create different designs of benches with a back, use plastic pipes. They are fixed with the help of corners and various adapters. You can show your imagination and assemble different versions of benches from plastic pipes (40-50 cm in diameter). This is a kind of designer.
The disadvantage of plastic garden furniture is its short life. The material is scratched. At the same time, the furniture looks cheap. She will fit far into every style of exterior design. You can use different textiles to create a bench seat. This will give it a more aesthetic appearance.
A garden bench with a back can be made of stone. This is a beautiful material that allows you to create a durable, durable structure. Such shops harmoniously fit into the existing site design. They look spectacular and noble.
Stone benches are mounted on the foundation. It cannot be moved. The bench near the hearth or grill looks spectacular. The material is not exposed to weather conditions. However, the stone shop also has one significant drawback: it is a cold material. Sitting on it even in warm weather is unsafe for health. Therefore, such benches must be covered with pillows and thick decorative mattresses.
Wood
One of the most popular options for creating benches is wood. This natural material has a lot of advantages. It is easy to process, so even a novice master can make a bench. Wooden garden benches are distinguished by a mass of positive characteristics. This is a warm material that does not require additional flooring.
Wooden benches harmoniously fit into almost any country landscape design. You can create any type of structure from this material. And in the course can go as boards or beams, and branches, solid wood arrays, slabs, etc. This allows you to create a different decorative effect to give the bench the desired look.
When choosing wood, it is worth giving preference to materials that have been dried qualitatively. And you should not hope that the boards lie in the barn and dry themselves over time. If the wood was not properly dried, it may become deformed and crack. In this case, it will become unsuitable for creating a shop. When making garden benches of wood with your own hands, you need to choose boards and timber with a flat surface. They should not be visible defects.
Wood species can be almost any. It is better to purchase soft varieties of materials. The most popular option for making a bench with a back is a pine. This is a relatively inexpensive wood species. However, it is quite soft, so that it can be processed manually.
Also suitable for creating a garden bench are rocks of medium hardness. They will be more durable than pine. However, they can be processed manually. Such species include spruce, linden, larch, etc. Hard breeds (for example, oak) are better not to use for the manufacture of shops. This material is difficult to process - this requires a special technique.
Please note that wood is a material that is subject to rot. It can be destroyed by insects and rodents. Therefore, before installation, all wooden elements are treated with an antiseptic composition. If high-quality dry wood is used, it can not be varnished. However, additional surface protection in this case will extend the life of the bench.
Metal
Another popular material for making garden benches is metal. From it you can create a durable durable construction. The appearance of a metal garden bench can be different. Forged twisted structural elements look spectacular. At the same time, different technologies are used: most often a shop is created by hot and cold forging.
The disadvantage of this type of design is the difficulty of manufacturing. Not every master can perform such a work of art. To do this, you must have blacksmithing skills. You will need to prepare the necessary tool. To simplify the task, you can purchase forged items for the bench separately. Then they are collected on the site using a welding machine.
Having shown imagination, you can design an original bench from different profiles or fittings. Most often, such structures are combined with wood. This allows you to make the bench warmer and more beautiful.
Metal is susceptible to corrosion. If the material is in the open air, then it requires the application of a protective layer. To do this, the surface is primed and then painted. It is worth considering that the protective layer will require updating in just a few seasons. This procedure must be performed frequently. Therefore, garden benches made of wood are much more common.
Metal is a difficult material to process, therefore benches from it are often purchased ready-made in specialized stores. Independently, such structures are assembled in most cases from wood.
Project creation
Wooden garden benches with a back, as well as other varieties of benches require careful study of details. To do this, draw a design diagram. In this case, you need to think about how many legs the product will rest on. You also need to determine the dimensions of the bench, seat height from ground level and the angle of inclination of the back.
At the design stage, you need to choose a way to connect the seat to the back. You should also consider how many people should fit on the bench at the same time. When creating a project, the type of bench installation (stationary, portable or in the form of a swing) is taken into account.
To calculate the length of the seat, you need to determine the number of people who will rest on it at the same time. Each person should have at least 50 cm. At the same time, the standard width of the bench should be about 45 cm. If 3 people rest on the bench, its length should be at least 1.5 m.
Folding garden benches are designed for a small number of people (no more than 3 people). Therefore, their length cannot be long. Stationary shops are quite long. In this case, it is necessary to provide for the presence of additional supports. They are installed at a distance of 1-1.5 m.
The back can be of different heights. However, the standard is considered the size of 90 cm. In this case, it will be convenient for people of different sizes to sit here. The angle of inclination of the back is most often 20º. This indicator is chosen in accordance with the design of the bench.
Calculation of materials, necessary tools
To make your own garden bench with a backrest, you will need to purchase the right material. Its quantity is determined in accordance with the developed plan. For example, for the simplest bench with a wooden back, you will need to purchase 2 beams with a cross section of 10 × 10 cm. Its length should be 1.5 m. Seat boards that will be made of croaker will be attached to the beams. Their length is also 1.5 m. The seat and back will be made from the boards, so their width should be about 50 cm.
To connect all the structural elements, it will take about 4 bars. They should be 20 cm long. To make supports for the bench, you need to prepare 2 stumps (block). They should be the same height.
To make a wooden garden bench, you need to prepare the necessary tools. In the process, you will need a saw or jigsaw. You also need to prepare a hammer, drill and screwdriver. For marking, a simple pencil and tape measure are used. It should be borne in mind that the surface of the boards must be ground. To do this, it is better to use a grinder with a special nozzle. Emery paper is also available. Handling wood will require more time and effort.
To connect all structural elements, dowels, screws and metal corners are purchased. Wood is treated with antibacterial impregnations. You can also paint a bench made of wood. It is better to choose color or colorless varnish for decorative finishes. It will additionally protect the surface from destruction.
If the bench is installed permanently, a shovel, cement mortar and support stands are required for operation.
Making legs
To assemble a garden bench with your own hands, you will need to purchase a sufficient amount of materials in accordance with the developed drawing. Next, you need to transfer each part to wood billets. If they correspond to the length and width of the bench, the work will be completed faster.
When all the parts are transferred to the material, they are cut out using a jigsaw or manually saw. After that, all the blanks need to be further processed. Surfaces are carefully sanded. They should be smooth, without burrs and cracks. The ends and edges also require the attention of the master in the grinding process. It is better to make all the ribs and ends rounded.
After that, the material is treated with an antiseptic. It is left for some time to allow the wood to dry. Then you can start assembling the structure. First you need to make the legs. They almost always serve as a frame for the back, so they must have the correct angle.
First you need to prepare 2 blanks. Their length should correspond to the height of the back. They mark first the height of the bench seat. Most often it is in the range of 40-50 cm. Here the legs do not need processing. Above this mark you will need to cut at an angle of 20º. They should be the same on both legs. Otherwise, the garden bench will be skewed.
After creating the legs, they are also ground. After that, they need to be attached to the support beam. They must be installed evenly. The same distance should remain on both sides of the timber (approximately 15–20 cm). Above the legs will support the back. Therefore, in this part of the board they will firmly fix the structure, not allowing it to stagger. After that, you can begin to assemble the remaining parts of the frame.
Assembly assembly
Assembling a garden bench with your own hands requires accuracy from the master. When the legs are made, a seat frame is mounted to them. This will require 2 more legs. They should be flat and have a height corresponding to the plan. They fix the support beam of the structure. You can lay the bars between the back and front legs, on which the boards will later be mounted.
After that, you can begin to create a seat. The material selected for this is attached to the support beam using self-tapping screws. It’s better to put them a little on the boards. In this case, it will be impossible to catch clothes on the uneven head of the self-tapping screw. If the bench is stationary, you need to make a distance of 1-2 cm between the seat boards. So, water will not collect on them. The material will dry faster and break more slowly.
After mounting the seat, you can fix the boards for the backrest. Garden benches for gardening should be assembled from a sufficiently durable material. It should not bend under load. Boards for the back should be 3 cm thick. They are screwed with self-tapping screws, which are also recommended to be recessed into the material. The first board may be at different distances from the seat. The classic version involves its installation at a height of 20 cm.
After that, it is desirable to perform the lower strapping of the structure. This will make it stronger and more durable. For this, a bar is used. It is installed first between the rear, and then between the front legs. After that, the surface is ground again at the installation sites of the screws. Further, it is treated with several layers of varnish. You can cover wood with wood stain: this will give it an interesting decorative effect.
Custom bench options
Garden bench can be made of different materials. Often, various improvised tools are used. For example, benches with a back assembled from wooden pallets (pallets) are popular. They are easy to assemble yourself. . .
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To set the bench, you can also select a group of trees located nearby. Between them make flooring. It will be a spacious place to relax. Here you can not only sit down, but also if you want to lie down.
Shops from a transverse saw cut of a tree look beautiful. The cost of such a product will be high. However, the decorative effect does not compare with anything. This will require several transverse cuts of a large tree. They are connected together (mounted on a support beam). Such a bench looks gorgeous. It is varnished to preserve the natural beauty of the material.
Having considered the options for garden benches, as well as the features of their installation, you can equip an original bench in the country. It will harmoniously complement the landscape design and allow you to enjoy outdoor recreation.