Besser block outdoor bench and landscaping

[sandy_d]

An easy and attractive corner makeover including a bench seat made using Besser blocks and a concrete planter.

• The project
• Materials
• Before and after
• How to build a Besser block bench seat
• More outdoor inspiration

The project

I had an empty space in the backyard that I wanted to convert into a cosy corner. I used 14 Besser blocks, seven for each side.

I used liquid nails for cement and attached three blocks on top of each other, only exposing the top holes. I repeated this for the other three blocks.

I did this for the opposite side of my chair, leaving only two blocks for the top. Once I had the correct length I wanted, I glued the middle of the blocks. The last block was also glued to the top so the holes ran in the same direction.

I purchased 100 x 100 sawn Pine posts and sanded and stained. It was as easy as slotting the posts into the blocks. 

I made the back planter by attaching fibre cement sheeting to a frame. This was an idea I got from the Bunnings guide How to make a concrete-look bench.

The fence and besser blocks are painted in the colour Monument, and I added some paving slabs and stones. The side gate was made with recycled pallet timber. Now all I need is a fire pit! 

Materials

I purchased the following from Bunnings:

• 14 Besser blocks at $3.80 each

• 6 treated Pine posts 100 x 100 at $18.40 each

• 450 x 450 pavers at $12.49 each.

I had already purchased Colorbond Monument paint for our house and I purchased the stones locally. Total cost for the bench, pavers, stones, paint and glue was under $300.

Before and after

How to build a Besser block bench seat

Inspired by Sandy's creation, experienced Workshop member Rob has shared step-by-step instructions for building your own Besser block bench seat. 

More outdoor inspiration

For more creative ideas from the Bunnings Workshop community, check out these popular outdoor and furniture projects.

[Prawns]

Looks great mate I would of never thought to use besser blocks for a bench works well  

[Gillgirl]

Looks fantastic! Really well done 👍 

[MitchellMc]

It's fantastic you're both so enthused about this project @Prawns and @Gillgirl.

Would something like this suit your place? It would be a great project to complete over the weekend. Sing out if you'd like some assistance replicating it.

Mitchell

[Janet293]

Absolutely Fantastic, I’ll be doing this once my house is built❤️

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Janet293. We're really pleased you've taken inspiration from this project.

Let me mention @sandy_d, so they are alerted to your kind comment.

It's a fantastic build that would look the part in so many gardens. Please keep us updated and reach out if you need assistance or get stuck. I'm sure our knowledgeable members would be all too keen to assist.

In the meantime, until your house is built, make sure you check out all the other amazing projects contributed by our creative community members. A great place to start would be our Top 10 most popular outdoor projects.

Looking forward to seeing what you achieve.

Mitchell

[Gk]

Hi all, 

I love the transformation of the cozy corner. I am looking to do something similar. Can someone please explain how can I achieve the pebbles and pavers landscape? I have heard that if we use sand as the base and then pebbles then over the time it start to sink after rain. Any recommendations how I can achieve this look without dissatisfaction. Thanks

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Gk. It's great to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about laying pebbles.

Ground sinks because it hasn't been compacted properly. Compacting and levelling the soil is always the first place to start. Once a solid base is achieved, you can be assured that any future subsidence will be minimal. You could either lay down sand or preferably road base before compacting. I'd recommend you hire a compactor for a few hours as it will make short work of the job. You could use a Trojan 205mm All Steel Tamper, but that is fairly labour intensive work. I'll include a video below which has some tips for using a compactor.

I'd also recommend that you cover the area with weed matting after compacting and before you lay the pebbles. That will prevent any dormant weed seeds from germinating and ruining your new pebbled area.

You should find these step-by-step guides useful: How to lay stepping stones and How to lay paving for a path.  

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[jones4nau]

👌Excellent post Sandy_d. We will definitely make this for our back yard. Thankyou!

[MitchellMc]

Gives us a shout if you need a hand @jones4nau. I trust @sandy_d and our other helpful members will be keen to assist.

Mitchell

[claire]

I would love to reproduce this in my garden.  Obviously it is Masonry paint on the brick work.  I love the way Sandy has built the low lying (is it limestone) wall behind the garden bench.   Claire 

[EricL]

Hello @claire

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's great to have you join us and thank you for sharing your query about the Besser block bench. 

Let me tag @sandy_d to make her aware of your kind comments and question. Looking at the photo, it looks like it is a rendered wall. It's difficult to tell because we can't see the structure from the side. I'm sure sandy_d will be able to shed some light on how that back panel was built. 

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the start of your Besser block bench.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[brunettesrule]

Hi Sandy

Absolutely amazing work and the explanation is easy to follow and CHEAP!   Thank you so much for posting this, LOVE IT !!!!

PS.  Gonna steal your idea   (lol)   Merry Christmas.

[EricL]

HI @brunettesrule

Let me tag @sandy_d to make her aware of your kind comments. I totally agree, this project is definitely achievable. If you have any questions regarding this project, please don't hesitate to post them. Our members would be more than happy to provide you with advice and information. 

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the start of your Besser block outdoor bench.

Eric

[sandy_d]

@EricL @claire  sorry for the late reply. I built a giant planter that the bench sits behind. It’s a timber frame that has been covered with James Hardie cladding to give it a concrete planter look. This was also purchased from Bunnings. Hope the pictures help a little 😊

 

 There is a ledge about 3/4 the way up that I sit plants inside and I can also change them around. 

 

[sandy_d]

@brunettesrule  Haha! Steal away that’s exactly what this community page is all about. I hope you have a fantastic Christmas and happy building  

[EricL]

Hi @sandy_d

Thank you so much for the extra photos and information about the planter behind your bench. For a moment there, I was convinced it was made out of bricks.

Happy Holidays

Eric

[rozzied1]

I have a Westerly facing corner which will suit this. Thanks for sharing.

[StevieB]

Fantastic @rozzied1. We look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Let us know if you need a hand with this project.

Stevie

[hazesnow]

 I’ve made two of them for my front verandah area love them!  Very sturdy too!!

[EricL]

Hi @hazesnow

Thank you so much for posting that update. Your outdoor bench looks fantastic. The dark colour you've chosen really blends in well with your flooring. 

Again, thanks for sharing, we look forward to seeing your next project.

Eric

[brendawebster44]

Hello Sandy, I love your imagination and would copy it if I had some where to put it.Then I had the idea that I still could but a smaller version.So Thankyou brenda 

[Maggie24]

I really like this idea - I've been wondering what to do with an "odd" corner that I have.  Now I know what I would like!

[EricL]

Hello @Maggie24

It's great that @sandy_d's outdoor bench project has inspired you to make your own. Would it be possible for you to post a picture of the "odd corner"? This will give our members an idea of what it looks like. Our members can then offer you other ideas to enhance the area.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your version of the Besser block outdoor bench.

If you have any questions about this project that we can help you with, please let us know.

Eric

[daniknight4]

Such a great idea and relatively easy. It could be done even cheaper buy sourcing products second hand. You're very clever:)

[hazesnow]

 

 a great finish to the front of our home! Great place to watch the world go by after a busy day at work…

[MitchellMc]

Great work @hazesnow! I'm glad you found this project of inspiration and now have two lovely benches to relax on.

Many thanks for sharing!

Mitchell

[Khris]

Hi all,

Silly question time!
Are the timbers just placed loosely in the blocks or are they glued in please?

[EricL]

Hello @Khris

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

All questions are welcome here, it's important to ask these questions especially if you are not familiar with the assembly procedures. Let me tag @sandy_d to make them aware of your question. Just to be on the safe side, I recommend putting adhesive on the timber pieces so that they don't slide out. Please make sure to post an update when you finish your bench. I'm sure our members would be keen to see your bench project.

Eric

[Jason]

@Khris,

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We're so pleased to have you join us and look forward to seeing your bench project come together. I'm sure you'll also get loads of inspiration and assistance for other projects around the house and garden in the future from our wonderful members.

Not sure if you are aware that experienced Workshop member Rob has shared step-by-step instructions for building this Besser block bench seat. Please take a look and let us know if you have any further questions.

Thanks,

Jason

[sandy_d]

Hi @Khris 

As @EricL and @Jason  have mentioned, the pine post are slotted in and not glued. However if you are after extra security, you can indeed glue these on the inside. I have made my bench a while ago and during the years it has not moved, and that’s with 3 little kids using it as a playground 😂. 

As also mentioned, there is a more detailed post by Rob that may help. Feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

Sandy 

[Khris]

Thanks for that Sandy D!
I  was just unsure.
Hopefully starting in the next couple of weeks.

[sandy_d]

@Khris I can’t wait to see what you make! If you are wanting something a little more cozy, you can make some removable foam seats. I made one for a cube unit using foam, ply off cut and canvas material. I used a staple gun to fix it together. You can then remove them when it rains. 

 

 

Best of luck and again if you have any questions, we are all here to help 😊

Sandy 

[Alycia]

This will look great around my fire pit and looks simple to complete!

Thank you for this awesome idea.

[EricL]

Hi @Alycia 

It's great that this project has inspired you to make your own outdoor bench. Please make sure to post an update, I'm sure our members will be keen to see your version of the Besser block outdoor bench.

If you have any questions regarding this project, please let us know.

Eric

[Minty]

Fantastic result @sandy_d, great work paid off. Love the combinations of all the different elements in the setting, and I especially love the pebbles. I'm looking to incorporate a cream mix pebbles in my garden makeover, just not sure where they will go yet. 

[sandy_d]

@Minty Thank you so much! I would definitely recommend researching landscape gardens for inspiration. I always seem a little lost when I’m gardening and I found it really helpful looking for what others have created. 

Using a landscape chalk marker is great to help visualise where things should go. I can’t wait to see what you create! 

Sandy 

[Fixmyhouse]

Looks amazing. Might just do this at my place. Thanks

[EricL]

Hi @Fixmyhouse 

It's marvellous that this project has inspired you to make your own outdoor bench. Please don't forget to post an update, I'm sure our members will be keen to see your version of the Besser block outdoor bench.

If you have any questions regarding its assembly, please let us know.

Eric

[martyjames]

wow, thats a very clever way to build a great looking garden bench? Is it comfortable ?

Cheers

[EricL]

Hi @martyjames 

Let me tag @sandy_d to make them aware of your kind words and question. I believe that there is a measure of comfort in sitting on a solid timber chair. It's certainly a lot better than sitting on a solid concrete chair.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric  

[MissSassyPants]

looks for fantastic, well done! 👏 👏