All Decked Out!
HandyMan and I have been dreaming of renovating the deck all summer. Maybe it was romantic visions of making french toast topped with strawberries in our new kitchen and enjoying it out on our deck that got us eager to jump on this one. Funny, but with the kitchen reno lingering, and the days of summer dwindling, I never really thought we'd get started on the deck anytime soon. Boy, was I wrong.
It all started with a little plan to take our deck from drab to fab. We knew we wanted to build a banquette and Handyman asked me to figure out what size I wanted it. A few quick measurements and a rough drawing later, we had the dimensions to build an L-shaped banquette:
- It would be 24 inches deep, 16 inches high (without the cushions), with one side 8 feet long, and the other 40 inches.
- We'd put a piano hinge on the top so (theoretically) we could use the benches for storage.
- Make the long bench 8' so you can use a single 2x4x8
- Make the bench 16" high so you can face it in plywood (which conveniently is 4'x8' and can be cut into 16" strips).
- Construct the rough framing for the boxes out of 2x4's
- Next step was to affix 1/4" plywood to the face of the boxes
- Then we applied some 4" wood strips around the edges. This would tie in the look of the benches with the shaker cabinets in the kitchen.
- Finally, we made the tops out of two wood planks, a couple of piano hinges, lots of construction glue, and myriad calculations for the overhang. HandyMan also thought of the smaller details, like leaving room beneath the overhang for decorative trim, and rounding all the edges with a sander.
Nonetheless, eight hours later, we have the sweet beginnings of our deck bench seating.
We still have to do the major demo (removing the existing slats and latticework) and rework (straightening and fattening the posts, changing the railing, installing beadboard ceiling, painting the floors, railings, ceiling, and benches), but its a start. Not bad for our first piece of DIY furniture ever. Hopefully, we'll get it all done before the summer end :o)
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Interested in more outdoor and DIY build projects? Check out:
 A Back Porch Makeover |
 Build A Walkway With Pavers |
 Build & Customize Storage Shed |
 Plywood Imagination Station |
14 comments
Those look fabulous! I hope you'll get to use them for storage but even without that feature, they are lovely. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks mrs.l! It was a bit of trial and error but they came out just like we wanted them. I can't wait to finish them up and throw a party out on the deck :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a handyman alright. He's genius and he has done such a great job, WOW! You guys work together so well and the job is rewarding I'm sure. I'll be checking in to see the cushions and the very best to you getting them wrapped up before summer's end.
ReplyDeleteOh this is great. I'm sure you'll storage all types of things there. As we're just renting currently, we don't want to build anything so we have a lovely (eyesore) of a huge Rubbermaid tote holding our gardening tools, bbq tools, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I may have to knock this idea off, when I get the bf to build a window seat. I'll link the post if we ever get around to building it. :)
I am so envious of all that storage! So impressed and can't wait to see the cushion. The black and white really pops against the yellow, love it.
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING!!!! It's unbelievable how you can transform the deck over just a couple of days!!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! I would enjoying visiting on your deck. I love all your accessories...rug, garden stools (where from?), chairs, pillows, and lanterns.
ReplyDeletethis is very impressive! and the accessories are great, too!
ReplyDeletedebbie - thanks! HandyMan and I do work well together... as long I stay out of the architect-ing and he stays out of the design-ing ;)
ReplyDelete20SS - would love to see your window seat! We're planning on building two of them for the guest bedroom. This banquette was sort of a test. We'll just have to figure out something better for the seat support next time... the braces really impede the storage.
ReplyDeleteThanks megan! I just threw all those accessories together, not sure what will stay outside yet. I got the garden stools at Home Outfitters here in Toronto which I'm guessing is like a Home Goods or TJMaxx Home store in the States? I've seen different varieties online too.
ReplyDeleteFreckles chick & Jennifer - it'll be fun accessorizing the space. I'm planning on adding some stripped curtains too :)
ReplyDeleteWen - you're welcome on the deck anytime ;)
Love those benches... Great job!
ReplyDeleteI could use those for my upper porch and maybe I can make mine deeper for napping , oh you have me thinking.
ReplyDeleteChris
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