Nothing beats an open fire in winter, and this corner seat is the perfect spot for a get-together. By Greig Morgan.
We hadn't caught up with some of our friends for ages - you know what it's like, everyone gets busy with kids' sport, and so on. You end up keeping in touch by text. And then winter closed in, and it's tempting to hibernate. But I decided any time was a good time to get together with friends, especially if you can all sit round a fire.
We have an outside entertainment area but its seating was old and on its way out. We needed some new bench seats. These two didn't take long to make, and the trim around the outside makes all the difference, giving them that professional "finished" look. Now we have the perfect corner to sit with friends when the weather's clear. Get a fire going, toast some marshmallows and your evening's made.
Step 1
On a flat surface, place the two 1.2m lengths of 75x50mm framing, separated by the three 180mm lengths of 75x50mm. Screw together using 75mm screws. You should now have a frame ready for the decking seat.
Step 2
Fix the 250x50 legs that have been cut to 450mm to the outside of the frame at either end. Attach using 75mm screws. You can also use glue for added strength.
Step 3
Take your three lengths of decking cut at 1.4m. Nail or screw the decking down, making sure it is flush at one end, then cut off the overhang at the other end. Both ends should now be flush.
Step 4
Take your 90x20mm mitre-cut decking - this is your border around the outside of the seat. Attach it using 45mm screws, keeping it flush with the top of the seating. I finished off my seats using a stain on the top decking to bring out its colour and an exterior black paint on the border.
Materials
75x50mm H3 treated timber x 2 lengths @ 1.2 metres (for framing)
75x50mm H3 treated timber x 3 lengths @ 180mm (for ends and middle support of framing)
250x50mm H3 treated timber x 2 lengths @ 450mm (for the legs)
90x20mm H3 treated decking/or a hardwood decking (for the seating) x3 @1.4 metres
90x20mm decking x2 @ 1.350 & x2 @ 350mm (mitre cut)
Stainless screws 75mm
Stainless screws 45mm
Galvanized decking nails 60mm
Paint/stain
Tools
Skill saw or sharp hand saw Screw gun Hammer Paint brush Ear muffs
Greig Morgan is a cabinetmaker by trade, who now runs his own landscaping business, GT Landscapes.
