How to Make an Easy West Elm Inspired DIY Outdoor Bench

Hi, everybody! I'm Paige from Little Nostalgia (blog no longer active) and I'm excited to share another power tool project with you today! This one is a little more involved than the Giant Jenga we talked about last time, but it's still totally approachable for anybody who wants to ramp up their skills. (It's also really empowering to look at a piece of furniture and know you made it. #likeaboss) I was perusing the West Elm website - as I do when the dishes need to be done and I'm ignoring them - when I saw this bench. I loved the simplicity, but the colors were totally wrong for our house AND it was $700. Hard pass on that, thanks. I kept going back to it, though, and the more I looked at it, I realized I could make a pair of my own for about $20 instead. Ready to try it?

Supplies

• 2 pieces of 2x4x8 lumber
• 1 piece of 2x12x8 lumber
• Table saw (hardware stores have some to rent if you don't want to buy)
• Mouse sander 
• Drill
• 2 1/2" wood screws
• Exterior paint or stain
• Paintbrush
• Work gloves
• Eye protection
• Pen or pencil
• Measuring tape
• Wood fill and putty knife (optional!)

Directions