How to Make Simple Farmhouse 2×4 Bench with Plans

Written byMichelle Dickson Updated

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make a simple farmhouse bench using just 2×4 lumber. With easy-to-follow plans and minimal tools required, this DIY project is perfect for both beginners

Are you looking for a little extra seating for your porch or outdoor space? We have been looking for a small bench or table to add to Steph’s front porch. Her porch is fairly narrow at a little over 4’ x 6’, so we needed something small to fit her space. While scrolling through Pinterest we came across this simple 2×4 bench with plans and knew it would be perfect for her porch. And this farmhouse bench was easy enough to build in an evening.

We found the plans for this simple 2×4 bench from Amy at HerToolBench.com. Amy’s original plans for this bench included using a pocket hole jig.

I got a Kreg pocket hole jig for Christmas and was anxious to try it on a project. But if you don’t have a pocket hole jig, don’t worry. On Amy’s website she has a plan for this bench that does not require the jig.

You can see Amy’s revised bench here.

We made our bench from her original bench plans and the measured drawing can be found here.

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Tools & Materials Needed for Simple 2×4 Bench

Cut lumber for building a simple 2x4 bench.

Steph and Dan have been working on finishing their basement and had a bunch of scrap 2×4 lumber. Steph was able to get quite a few scrap pieces to use for this bench.

She only needed to by one 2×4 and one 2×3 along with the screws. So this turned out to be a really inexpensive project for her. 

But even if you had to buy all of the lumber it would be a cheap project.

Cut List

  • 4- 2″x4″ x42″
  • 1- 2″x4″ x 34 1/2″
  • 1- 2″x4″ x 27″
  • 2- 2″x4″ x 13″
  • 4- 2″x4″ x 15 1/2″ cut with a 15 degree mitre cut on both ends
  • 2- 2″x3″ x 9″
  • 4- 2″x3″ x 16 1/4″ cut with a 45 degree mitre cut on both ends.

If you are more of a visual learner, we created a video tutorial of this Simple 2×4 bench with plans.

Cut the 2×4 Boards

Woman marks cuts on a 2x4 board.
Woman cuts a 2x4 board.

Measure the 2×4 boards and cut all of the straight cuts first.

Miter saw is set to make 15 degree cuts.
2x4 is cut with a 15 degree cut.

Adjust the setting on the chop saw to 15 degrees and make the first angle cut on one end. 

Woman marks 2x4 for cut.
Woman cuts a 2x4 board.

Measure 15 1/2″ and make another 15 degree cut. Repeat so you will have a total of 4 pieces that are 15 1/2″ with the 15 degree angles on both ends. These will be the legs of the bench. 

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Cut the 2×3 Board

2x4 boards cut to make a simple bench.

This will give you a visual of what all of the cut boards will look like and a general placement idea.

You may want to sand your boards if they are rough before assembling the bench.

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How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig

Woman points to markings on a pocket hole jig.

There are adjustments on the jig for varying thickness of wood. Our boards were 1 1/2″ thick, so we first adjusted the board thickness guide. There is a screw on the back that you loosen and slide the hole jig up or down. Once at the correct position, tighten the screw.

Pocket hole jig with bit aligned for stop placement.

The next adjustment will be the collar on the drill bit. This will allow the drill bit to go to the proper depth. 

First place the drill bit in the setup gauge. Align the step shoulder (the edge where the bit increases in size) with the thickness of the wood.

We aligned the step shoulder with the 1 1/2″ mark.

Woman tightens stop placement on drill bit.

Slide the collar against the guide and tighten the screw with the Hex wrench.

Woman places drill into the pocket hole jig guide holes to drill holes in 2x4 boards.

For the bench the 27″ and 34 1/2″ boards will be drilled on both ends with the pocket jig.

Place the end of the board into the jig, clamp into position. Place the drill bit into the guide until it hits the wood. Pull back about 1/4″ and start the drill, then proceed to create the pocket hole. The collar will stop the drill at the proper depth.

Place 2 holes in each end using the A & C guides.

Attach Board Using Pocket Screws

Woman marks center of board with a pencil.
Woman marks center of board with a pencil.

For the bottom crossbar mark the center of the 9″ boards and the center of the 34 1/2″ board where the pocket holes are.

Wood glue is applied to the cut end of the board.
A clamp is used to hold the board into position.

Place wood glue on the end of the board, align the marks and clamp together to keep the edges flush while inserting the pocket screws.

Women inserts the pocket hole screws using the drill.

Using the long driver, insert the screws into each pocket hole. Repeat for the other side.

For the top cross bar, using this same method connecting the 13″ boards with the 27″ board.

Cross bar for the top and for the bottom are secured with the pocket hole screws.

You will end up with 2 pieces that look like this.

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Attach the Legs to the Top crossbar

Location for screws is marked on the 2x4 board.
Woman drills pilot holes into the board to attach the leg to the bench.

Mark 1/2″ in on the 13″ piece on each end. This will be the mark for the leg placement.

Drill 3 pilot holes on each side.

A countersink bit is used to recess the screws.

Then using a countersink bit, drill into each hole.

We also held the leg piece in position and drilled pilot holes into the leg as well.

Wood glue is applied to the end of the leg board.
Leg is secured to the cross bar with 3 screws.

Spread some wood glue on the leg piece, hold in position and insert 3 wood screws.

Repeat for each of the 4 legs.

Attach Bottom Crossbar to Legs

Woman marks placement line on bench leg for crossbar.

Turn the bench upside down and mark 2″ down on each leg. This will be the placement for the bottom crossbar.

Woman inserts screws securing the legs to the bottom crossbar.

Drill 2 pilot holes and countersink into each leg and into the crossbar piece. Insert the wood screws. Repeat at each leg.

Add the Double X

Women secures the double x design boards with screws for the 2x4 bench.
Double X design on the 2x4 bench with plans.

To prepare to attach the double X, measure and mark the center of the length and width of the 27″ board and the 34 1/2″ board.

Place a mark 3/4″ to the right and to the left of the center mark. This is the placement for the center boards.

Place 2 of the 16 1/4″ boards between the 2 support crossbar boards with one end placed on the 3/4″ mark. 

Drill and countersink pilot holes, then insert the wood screws.

Repeat with the 2 other 16 1/4″ boards, aligning on the 3/4″ mark on the opposite crossbar board.

The secured double x design on the 2x4 bench.

We first secured the top crossbar board with screws, then flipped the bench over and inserted the screw on the bottom crossbar board.

Now the base is finished.

Mount Top to 2×4 Bench

Pilot holes and countersink holes are drilled into the boards for the bench top.
Screws are placed into the boards for the bench top.

Place the 42″ boards on the top, center on the base. Drill and countersink pilot holes into the top boards. These holes will be in about 6″ on each side. Place one screw on each end of each board.

The top will overhang 1/2″ from the 13″ pieces on the side and about 4″ on the ends.  

Apply Finish

A white outdoor paint is is applied by a woman and young girl to the simple farmhouse 2x4 bench.

There are several options for finishing this simple 2×4 bench. We chose to apply 2 coats of an exterior paint, then lightly distressed it with sand paper.

It could also be stained, or sealed with a clear coat finish.

Simple white farmhouse style Bench on a small front porch, styled with plants.

While there were quite a few steps, to complete this simple 2×4 bench, if you follow the plans it’s really quite simple to build.

Simple white Farmhouse 2x4 bench on a small front porch styled with a red, white and blue beach towel, water guns and a sand bucket.

We were thrilled with the results.

Have you every tried a project like this?

If so, we would love to hear about it. Drop us a comment below.

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Pinterest Image, Simple Farmhouse style 2x4 Bench

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This blog’s content is for entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. By reading this blog and attempting to recreate a project, you assume all responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred. Read my full disclaimer here.

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I have always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating organized, functional homes. Even as a child, I loved rearranging furniture and decorating my childhood home. In fact my dad would comment he was afraid to come home from work and sit, for fear the furniture would be rearranged. I enjoy the challenge of turning ordinary items into extraordinary pieces, whether it’s a piece of furniture or an entire room. My creativity and attention to detail drive me to find unique ways to breathe new life into any space.

As a wife (to a supportive and patient husband, Steve), mother of three, and grandmother of five, I balance my love for home improvement with family life. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring nature. I also frequent yard sales, thrift stores, and vintage markets, always on the lookout for my next project.

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