• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Atta Girl Says
  • About
    • Contact me!
    • Advertise
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy
  • Shop
  • Home Tour
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cooking
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers
    • Drinks
    • Soups & Salads
    • Desserts
    • Canning & Preserving
  • Decorating
    • Holiday & Seasonal
      • Fall Decor
      • Christmas Decor
      • Winter Decor
  • Crafting
    • Holiday & Seasonal Crafts
      • Fall Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts
    • Homemade Beauty
    • Printables
  • Entertaining
  • Homekeeping
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cooking
      • Main Dishes
      • Side Dishes
      • Appetizers
      • Drinks
      • Soups & Salads
      • Desserts
      • Canning & Preserving
    • Decorating
      • Holiday & Seasonal
        • Fall Decor
        • Christmas Decor
        • Winter Decor
    • Crafting
      • Holiday & Seasonal Crafts
        • Fall Crafts
        • Christmas Crafts
      • Homemade Beauty
      • Printables
    • Entertaining
    • Homekeeping
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    DIY Potting Benches To Build

    Decor & DIY, Decorating, DIY Tutorials, Spring Decor, Summer Decor

    collage showing six different DIY potting benches in garden settings
    collage showing six different DIY potting benches in garden settings
    collage showing six different DIY potting benches in garden settings
    photo collage showing six different upcycled potting benches made from old sinks, drawers, pallet wood, furniture and kitchen cabinets
    collage showing six different DIY potting benches in garden settings
    photo collage showing six different upcycled potting benches made from old sinks, drawers, pallet wood, furniture and kitchen cabinets
    collage showing six different DIY potting benches in garden settings
    collage showing six different DIY potting benches in garden settings
    collage showing six different DIY potting benches in garden settings

    More than a dozen different DIY potting bench ideas you can build or upcycle using reclaimed materials. Includes a variety of different styles and sizes of gardening tables and benches and something for every skill level.

    Every garden needs a potting bench!

    collage showing 8 different DIY potting benches in garden settings

    Outdoor potting benches are great place to start seeds and tend plants. They also provide lots of storage for tools, pots, soil and other garden essentials. I think they’re a must-have!

    Potting benches are very versatile and can do double duty as outdoor bars and servers. A combo outdoor buffet and potting bench was one of the first things we built for our outdoor entertaining space after putting in a paver patio and pergola. Along with our farmhouse-style outdoor sink, it’s one of my favorite DIY projects!

    This post may contain affiliate links. AttaGirlSays.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure policy here.

    Jump to:
    • Different Types of Potting Benches
    • DIY Potting Bench Ideas
    • How High Should a Potting Bench Be?
    • What Is the Best Wood For a Potting Bench?
    • Best Paints & Stains for Potting Benches
    • Upcycled Potting Benches
    • Must-Have Potting Bench Features

    Subscribe to Atta Girl Says!

    Get our delicious recipes, latest posts and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.

    Different Types of Potting Benches

    I’ve rounded up a collection of more than a dozen different DIY potting bench ideas to inspire you to build you own, including:

    • 2X4 potting benches
    • pallet potting benches
    • potting benches with sinks
    • storage potting benches
    • simple potting tables
    • mobile potting benches
    • potting benches made from old furniture
    • potting benches with shelves

    There are large potting benches and small potting benches; upcycled potting benches made from old cabinets and furniture; and potting benches for modern urban spaces and for cottage-style gardens.

    DIY Potting Bench Ideas

    A potting bench is a simple DIY building project, even if you’re not an experienced woodworker.

    unfinished wooden potting bench in a driveway with a drill and level sitting on it

    You can find lots of detailed DIY potting bench plans online, and most of the are really easy builds requiring only a few tools. We built our potting bench with just a tape measure, a level and a drill and a circular saw using plans from Ana White.

    💭 Tip: If you don’t have a saw, most hardware stores or lumber yards will cut the wood for you, for free or a nominal fee.

    For the tutorials on how to build any of these potting benches, click on the Learn More button below each photo. Most of these tutorials also include detailed supply lists, cut lists and building plans.

    DIY Potting Bench With Sink
    This gardening station has a built-in sink and faucet to make watering and outdoor cleanup easy. This tutorial includes printable PDF woodworking plans with a full lumber cut list, 3D illustrations of each step, and detailed instructions to guide you through the build process.
    Learn More
    blue potting bench server with cocktails and barware
    DIY Potting Bench Outdoor Server
    Inspired by a $2,000 Pottery Barn hutch and server, we built this outdoor buffet table for around $150 using 2X4 lumber and plans from Ana White. This is an easy weekend project for beginners! It can be used for plants or for outdoor entertaining.
    Learn More
    potting bench with hidden storage
    Potting Bench With Hidden Storage
    This DIY potting bench includes hidden storage with bins for dirt, pebbles and tools. It has a large top work surface with slatted pot storage underneath. Includes a how-to video and detailed PDF plans so you can build your own version.
    Learn More
    Easy Modern DIY Potting Bench
    Learn how to build this simple and modern DIY potting bench with step-by-step plans, a tutorial, and how-to video. This stylish redwood potting bench can also be used as a plant display or outdoor bar. It has a compact footprint, making it a good choice for smaller yards or patios.
    Learn More
    DIY Garden Table
    Learn how to make a small summer DIY garden table for your garden, patio, porch or deck. This simple-to-build table has a lot of charm and would fit well in a cottage garden.
    Learn More
    DIY potting bench with pots and garden tools against a fence
    Outdoor Island With Optional Hutch
    This project is inspired by Pottery Barn's outdoor island, which can double as a potting bench or outdoor server for parties. This budget-friendly version can be built with an optional top hutch for even more storage space. The tutorial includes the full supply list, plans and cut list.
    Learn More

    How High Should a Potting Bench Be?

    Most potting benches are designed to be used while standing. The ideal height for the table surface is 36 inches, the same as a standard kitchen counter.

    This will ensure that you don’t have to stoop and put stress on your back while you’re standing and working at the potting bench.

    That said, some people may prefer to garden while seated for comfort and accessibility. Several of the plans included here are for potting benches that you can use while sitting on a chair or stool.

    If you plan to work at your gardening bench while seated, keep the height between 28 and 32 inches — the same as a kitchen or dining table.

    Ultimately, you shoud consider your personal comfort and gardening preferences when building or buying a potting bench:

    • Will you be using the potting bench standing up?
    • Or do you prefer to use it seated?

    What Is the Best Wood For a Potting Bench?

    Most potting benches are outdoors and exposed to the elements. For that reason, it’s wise to use a wood that is weather-resistant to extend the life of your build.

    Hardwoods will last longer than softwoods, and they are more resistant to rot. Using exterior-grade paints and finishes will also help extend the life of your potting bench.

    Depending on your budget, these are good options:

    • Western cedar
    • pressure-treated lumber
    • fir
    • teak
    • redwood
    • white oak
    • composite lumber
    • deck boards

    Best Paints & Stains for Potting Benches

    When painting or staining outdoor furniture, look for products specifically designed for the elements:

    • Fence & Barn Paint
    • Outdoor Furniture Paint
    • Exterior Stain
    • Marine-Grade Varnish
    • Outdoor Living Paint
    • Chalk-based Paint
    • Mineral Paint
    blue potting bench on a drop cloth

    Upcycled Potting Benches

    When buildng a DIY potting bench, you don’t have to start from scratch.

    You can upcycle old wood, pallets and even old furniture into an outdoor potting bench, as these projects shows.

    These materials and types of furniture make good candiates for upcycling:

    • shipping crates and pallets
    • kitchen cabinets
    • wooden outdoor tables
    • old dressers, sideboards and buffetts
    • old windows
    • wooden doors
    • lattice
    • old headboards

    For details and more information on these upcycled potting benches, click on the Learn More button below each photo.

    DIY potting bench and garden clock artwork
    Changing Table Potting Bench
    This colorful and functional potting bench definitely has personality. It was made by converting an old changing table dresser into a gardening station. The bench features a hinged galvanized tray on top, knobs made from old outdoor faucets and seed packet artwork on the interior.
    Learn More
    Upcycled DIY Potting Bench
    Learn how to turn an old patio table into a planting table for your garden. This upcycled potting bench features a galvanized top and a shelf built from reclaimed pallet wood. This is an easy beginner project.
    Learn More
    Pallet Potting Table
    This budget-friendly potting bench is made from a deconstructed shipping pallet. The tutorial walks you step-by-step through the process of breaking down the pallet and repurposing the wood to build the potting table.
    Learn More
    Easy Upcycled DIY Potting Bench From Old Cabinet
    An old kitchen cabinet gets a new lease on life as a patio potting bench. To make the cabinet more functional for gardening, the homeowners removed the cabinet doors and made a top with plywood and cedar fence pickets. They finished the potting bench with a few coats of fresh green paint.
    Learn More
    Portable Potting Bench From A Dresser Drawer
    Love the idea of a potting table but don’t have the room for one? This portable potting bench solves that problem. It's made by upcycling a folding tray table and dresser drawer.
    Learn More
    green pallet potting bench with flowers and potted plants
    Potting Bench From Two Pallets
    Pieces from two separate pallets form the legs and tops of this easy-to-build potting bench. A coat of exterior paint gives everything a fresh look! This is an easy and accessible tutorial, requiring a few cuts and simple assembly.
    Learn More
    Potting Bench Made From A Vintage Sink
    This dreamy greenhouse potting bench was made a vintage farmhouse style sink mounted on a wooden frame. It features decorative legs and a fabric skirt made from floral pillowcases to hide a storage shelf. You have to see the rest of the potting shed where this gorgeous bench lives.
    Learn More

    Must-Have Potting Bench Features

    Your personal gardening style will dictate what features are most important to you in a potting bench. But here are a few things you may want to add to your DIY potting bench:

    • Storage hooks – These are so useful for hanging garden tools, watering cans and other gardening essentials.
    • Large work surface – A larger tabletop will allow you to have all your supplies accessible and to work on multiple projects at once. You’ll also be able to pot larger plants and work with seed trays.
    • A sink or basin – Having a sink or a basin that you can fill with water is a handy feature to have if you need to wash produce, water plants or rehydrate soil.
    • Hidden storage – Hidden (and waterproof) storage for soil, rocks and other supplies will make your gardening life so much easier.
    • Mobility – If you add wheels or casters to your potting bench, you’ll have the option to move it around your yard, deck or your patio for gardening chores or entertaining.
    • Shelves – A bottom shelf will give your potting bench stability and also provide storage for pots and other supplies. If the lower shelf has gaps between the slats, it will keep water from pooling during rainy weather.
    • Hutch or upper shelving – A potting bench with a hutch will give you more storage space than a flat tabletop. You can display smaller plants on upper shelves. Upper hooks can hold more tools or serve as a drying racks for herbs, flowers and seed heads.
    • Galvanized surface: A garden bench with a galvanized top or potting may stand up to the elements better than wood. It is also easy to clean.
    galvanized metal tray with pot, gloves and a dirt bucket on a garden table

    Pin This! DIY Potting Bench Ideas

    collage showing 8 different DIY potting benches in garden settings

    Filed Under: Decor & DIY, Decorating, DIY Tutorials, Spring Decor, Summer Decor Tagged With: DIY projects, easy DIY, gardening, outdoor decor, outdoor furniture

    Never Miss a Post!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I'm Amy, your teacher and sassy southern sidekick, sharing easy crafts, home projects and delicious recipes you'll love to make.

    More about me →

    Reader Favorites

    • 5-Ingredient Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
    • Better than Takeout Pork Fried Wontons
    • Mandarin Orange Salad is the Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion
    • 5 House Cleaning Tips When You’re Overwhelmed

    Sign up to receive my email newsletter




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Advertise

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop Favorites
    • Blog

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Atta Girl Says