Is there anything better than heading out to the porch with your morning coffee, to relax on a swing bench? Hop on, sway for a bit and you’re transported to a stress-free zone. Even the simplest porch swing offers a taste of gracious living. If you decide to build a DIY Outdoor Swing Bench, I created the plans just for that.

This is a very sturdy swing bench that I’ve built for my sister. I’ve used construction lumber and basic woodworking tools. The plans could be easily adjusted to build a longer or a shorter bench.

You also might be interested in my previous outdoor projects like Sensory Table with Water Ramps and Backyard Playground.

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Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size.  See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page as well as links in “tools for this project” and “material list” sections are affiliate links.

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Dimensions

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Step 1 – Make Swing Seat Support Boards

First, make swing seat support boards. Take a 2×4 board, and cut it to 22″ in length with a 15° miter cut on one side. The top of the support will be 22″ and the bottom 21″. Measure and mark 3 5/8″ from the miter cut, and then 1 3/8″ from the cross-cut. Find the center between those two marks and measure 1″ down. Then draw an arch connecting the three pencil marks. Using a jig saw, cut the curve of the seat following the pencil mark. Repeat this step to make three of these seat supports.

Step 2 – Cut Out Notches at the Bottom of Seat Supports

Once the top of the seat support is complete, now cut out the bottom notches. Measure and mark 2 3/4″ from the cross-cut. Then from 2 ¾ measurement draw 3 1/2″ wide by 1 1/2″ deep rectangle for the notch cut out. Draw another 3 ½ by 1 ½” rectangle 7 1/4″ further (see picture below). To cut out these notches, take all three of seat support boards and clamp them together. Then raise your table saw blade to 1 1/2″. Place these clamped boards on the table saw sled and make multiple cuts thru notch rectangle until most of the wood is cut out from the notch. The remaining small pieces could be removed with a wood chisel.

Step 3 – Insert and Attach 2×4 Boards into Seat Support Notches

Take 2×4 board and cut two pieces to 51″ in length. Then place the seat support board on a flat surface with notch cut-outs facing up. Insert the 51″ long 2x4s inside the notches. The 2x4s will protrude 1 1/2″ on both sides of the bench. Make sure the total distance from outer seat supports is exactly 48″. Attach the 2×4 board to seat support with wood glue and 2″ Wood Screws.

Step 4 – Cut and Attach First 2 ½” Wide Seat Board

Now take two 1×6 boards and cut them in half to 48″ in length. Then rip the 48” long board in half with a table saw. So now you’ll have eight boards that are 48” by 2 ½”. Place the first 48” by 2 1/2″ board at the start of the curve which is 3 5/8 from the miter cut. Use a Nail Gun with 1 1/4″ Brad Nails to attach this board to seat supports.

Step 5 – Finish Attaching the Remaining Seat Boards

Next, take 1×4 board and cut one piece to 48″ in length and attach it to the front of the bench using wood glue and 1 1/4″ Brad Nails. Then finish attaching the remaining seat boards. The last 2 1/2″ board on the edge of the bench will need to be trimmed slightly so that it’s flush with the front of the bench.

Step 6 – Cut and Attach Armrest Support

Take 2×4 and cut two pieces to 10″ in length. Attach the 2×4 pieces at the front of the bench using wood glue and 2 1/2″ Wood Screws from underneath the bench to hide the screws.

Step 7 – Cut 2×4 Supports for Backrest

Take 2×4 board and cut two pieces to 22″ in length making a 15° miter cut on one side. Then attach these two boards on the backside of the swing bench with wood glue and 2 1/2″ Wood Screws from the inside.

Step 8 – Cut Boards for the Backrest of the Outdoor Swing Bench

To make the backrest of the bench, take 1×4 board and cut two pieces to 48″ in length for the upper and lower back rails. Then take 1×6 board and rip it in half making the width of the boards 2 1/2″. Then cut these boards into 11 1/2″ long slats. 

Step 9 – Drill Pocket Holes in Slat Boards and Both Rails of the Backrest

On the backside, drill two pocket holes on each side of the upper and lower rails and on each of the slat boards, as shown in the picture. Attach the slats boards to rails with 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws.

Step 10 – Attach the Backrest to 2×4 Supports

Place the backrest panel between the 2×4 boards and attach it with wood glue and 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws. Make sure the panel is flush with the front of the 2×4 support board.

Step 11 – Make Two Armrest Boards

To build an armrest, take 1×4 board and cut two pieces to 24″ in length. Draw an arch on three corners of the armrest and cut it out with a jig saw. I used a wood glue bottle as a guide to draw the arch. The two armrests would be a mirror of each other. The forth corner of the armrest will have a cut-out section that goes around the backrest panel. Use a jig saw adjusted to 15 degrees to cut that corner, following the slope of the backrest. Then drill two pocket holes on the bottom of the armrest, see picture.

Step 12 – Install the Armrest to the Bench

Attach the armrest to the front 2×4 support with a Nail Gun, and to the backrest with 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws.

Step 13 – Drill Holes for Eye Bolts and Chain

Drill a 3/8” hole on each side of the 51″ long 2×4 for the Eye Bolt and Nut Hooks. Inset the eye hook into the hole and tighten it with washer and nut. Then drill a 3/4” hole in the armrest just above the front eye hook. These armrest holes will be used for the chain to feed thru and attach to the eye hook. Then drill 3/8” holes in the backrest support and install another eye bolt and nut hook. The hook in the backrest will be used just to feed the chain thru.  Attach the chain to all the hooks with 1/4″ quick link and hang the bench on your porch to wood beam. You’re done with a DIY outdoor swing bench!

Is my porch strong enough to support an outdoor swing bench?

Make sure your ceiling framing is strong enough to support your porch swing. Most porch and patio roof structures typically include a horizontal joist that supports the ceiling finish. Joists are often made from 2×6 or larger lumber but could be also made from 2×4. Typically for a 4-foot long swing, 2×6 is strong enough to support the swing. If the porch is made from 2×4 joist than additional reinforcement will be required to support the weight of the swing.

How to hang a porch swing bench?

On your porch, locate a thick beam or a joist (at least a 2×6 structural joist) and drill a pilot hole in the center of the beam. The hole needs to be smaller than the screw-eye hook. It’s important to drill a pilot hole before screwing in the screw-eye because otherwise the beam will splinter and weaken the structural integrity of the beam. Once the holes are drilled, turn the screw-eye as far as it will go. Then attach the chain of the swing to the screw-eye with a 1/4″ quick link.

How far do you hang a porch swing from the wall?

The swing bench needs to be at least 2.5 feet from the wall behind the swing; preferably 3 feet.

How high should I hang my outdoor swing bench?

The swing bench should hang at least 17 inches from the floor so that the average occupant’s feet can touch the floor.