Years ago we build this super big deck on the back of our house. However, we hardly ever go out, because it’s way to hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Fall and Spring would be the perfect time to spend out on the deck, but we also don’t have any furniture that we could sit on.
I decided the other day to take some money from savings and makeover our porch, until I saw the price for a dining set or a simple sectional. I don’t think I want to spend $1000 of dollars on a patio set that we don’t use all that often, now granted we may use the porch more if we have a nice inviting area, but still not worth $1000 to me.
I came up with a plan and told hubby about it, I knew if I tell him what I want, he probably would build it for me and that’s exactly what we did. We spend about $100 in material for the wood and it took him one Saturday to put it together with the help of my teen.
Check out what my back patio looks like now.. still not done, but getting close and I wanted to show you, that you can makeover your porch or patio on a budget, as well.
We now have 2 bench seating, a nice sturdy table to put our drinks down or for more seating, whatever we may need. We still need to stain the wood, but that’s a project for another weekend. For now, this is how to build the bench seating and table. Super simple.. check it out below.
This is how to make the wood bench for your porch or patio
Build a frame with 2×4’s the size that fits your need; add 4×4’s as legs, top with 1’s … voila your bench is done!!!
I build my benches to the size of my cushions. I kept looking everywhere and found that the cushions run about 22×21 or 22x22isch and that’s how I decided on how big my bench would be. However, I wasn’t happy about the price of the cushions. I needed 7-8 and each was about $25-$45 depending on what brand, color and thickness I wanted. That wasn’t gonna work. I was not gonna spend a few hundred on cushions that the hot Florida sun would tear up in no time.
I spend an afternoon online looking through varies stores and places until I came up with an idea; a chaise lounge chair cushion would probably work. I looked for a cushion that was all one size and I found one for only $35 and Free Shipping.
These cushions are the perfect size 21×72 making it super simple and affordable, since I only need 2 of these cushions. I spend about $70 for these two cushions and I love them. They are comfy and perfect for our seating; I’m soo glad that I came up with a different option for seating cushions. So look around and see what fits your needs. You shouldn’t have to pay an arm and a leg to sit comfortable. I found these cushions at Sears.com by the way, they are also being sold at Kmart. I did the ship to store and within 3 days I got a call that my ordered had arrived.. LOVED it!!
Now check out what our porch looks like after a Saturday’s worth of work and about $150 later. Yes.. every Home remodel makeover magazine has some kind of animal in their photo shot, so I had to have one, too… doesn’t Charlie look perfect on the deck? He sure enjoyed it.
See… now all I need is some stain from the deck remodel a few years ago, that’s been sitting in the closet waiting for a project and my seating area will be complete. Also, see the two flowerpots with the 4×4’s.. yup a project for another day.. I will show you how I created a sun sail on a budget that will fit any space… So be sure to come back in the next few weeks to get the #DIY on that.
I’m still looking for a dining option on the other side of the deck… Once I have my entire remodel done, I will post pictures for you to get some ideas, too.
Happy DIY’ing ….
I was not compensated nor asked to write this post..all opinions and ideas are our own and we love to share them so maybe you can save some money and get some ideas on how to makeover your patio or porch on a #DIY budget.
Pam says
I love it! Melanie, you make me want to redecorate! I need you to live closer so I can get advice. I can’t convince Bryan to move to Florida so you need to move to GA. You could use your patio more down here too. 🙂
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Barb W. says
WOW! That looks amazing! I want to live closer to you, too, so I can hire you! Your ideas are always so inspiring and everything turns out fabulous.
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Crystal C says
Too cold in the winter? You must be living in Florida for a while now 😉 I adore these benches! So much so I showed my husband and said get to work … lol We’ll see what he does with that info. I definitely have this page bookmarked.
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Daisy says
I want to come hang out on your patio! It looks gorgeous! I wish that you were in Dallas so that I could convince you to help me do something similar! 🙂
Kristyn says
love this DIY! we are getting ready to move and i will have to try doing this for our new patio 🙂
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kathleen says
I have never built anything from wood from scratch. Do you think a beginning could build this? The things I’ve built have involved kits where the holes are predrilled. I would love to attempt this. I do have an electric drill. So do you just take your electric drill and drill screws in everywhere two pieces connect? Is it as simple as this or is there something else i need to know? I’m sure I can get the boards on top measured to fit at Lowes or Home Depot.
Melanie Roberts says
Kathleen.. NOPE it’s a simple as this… really a beginner can do this… we don’t pre-drill the holes; make sure you buy the screws that don’t need pre-drill, they have a name, I can’t remember but lowes or Home depot sells them in different sizes and packages. Or if you want to pre-drill, just take a small drill bit and start a hole, the screw will do the rest.. VERY VERY simple.. really ..I know you can do it
kathleen says
thanks so much for the encouragement! i successfully put together a raised garden (it was a kit) and it was much easier than i anticipated. i’m going to try this and i’ll be sure to get the special screws. the pictures you posted are super helpful for a copycat like me. and thanks for explaining where you got the chaise lounge chair cushions.
Richard Hicks says
Quite a transformation and it looks great. Sure was a lot cheaper than buying a patio set!
Gerber Construction says
Love this! The benches are super cute! DIY projects like this can add huge value to the livability of a space. Well done!
Rita Spratlen says
I love this!! You are very creative for sure!!
Melanie Roberts says
Aww thanks Rita… always love hearing from you 🙂
Kevin Taylor says
Thanks very much for the deck seating ideas! Just finished this afternoon, and my wife is very happy with the results!
Melanie Roberts says
Thanks for letting me know… soo excited it turned out well for you guys, too. This is our second year and we still love it and still as pretty as ever.. wish we could enjoy it more, has been raining in Florida every afternoon 🙁
Nicole Dz says
Wow the after looks incredible! I love the pattern of the cushions you choose. Very nice job! Love the deck color.
Brian Gibbons says
I cannot find any cushions that fit. I would like 72 inches like you have, but I am having issues. All looks great!
Melanie Roberts says
I bought mine at Sears, they and Kmart had the only ones and I only found them online, hope that helps, but the nice thing is you can make your bench fit the cushions, too.