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A potting bench provides a spacious work area to simplify gardening tasks such as repotting plants or transplanting seedlings, and offers a convenient spot to store gardening tools. Whether you’re an avid gardener or just starting to test out your green thumb, you might be interested in adding a potting bench to your shed, garage, or outdoor gardening area.
The idea of building your own potting bench to meet your specific needs, add your personal touch to the design, or save money might be more appealing than purchasing a pre-made product from a store. If so, look through the downloadable potting bench plans featured below to find just what you’re looking for.
1. Potting Bench with Side Shelves
Download these plans from Etsy merchant J.S. Woodworking to make your own cedar potting bench. The bench, which is 54 inches wide, 22 inches deep, and 60 inches tall, provides ample surface space on which work. The two lower shelves, two side shelves, and five hooks give you plenty of room to store your tools and supplies. The plans for this potting bench include a cut list, cutting diagrams, and clear assembly instructions.
Get the J.S. Woodworking Potting Bench Build Plans at Etsy for $8.62.
2. Greenhouse Bench
This potting bench from UK-based Etsy seller EasyPlans Woodwork is 41 inches wide, 19 inches deep, and 35 inches tall. It’s sized to fit inside 6-foot by 4-foot greenhouses, but you can also place multiple benches next to each other to create a more spacious work and storage area in larger greenhouses, sheds, or garages. What’s cool about these are that you can make the bench with a flat tabletop or with a shelf top; the shelf sections are also removable in order to accommodate taller pots. The plans are available for instant download, and include detailed instructions and a full cutting list.
RELATED: Buyer’s Guide: The Best Greenhouse Kits
3. Upper Shelf with Mesh for Tool Storage
The mesh back of this potting bench offers a convenient space to store your gardening tools, gloves, and other small gardening gear. If you’re looking for a potting bench with a sink, these plans can help you incorporate a sink and drain into the design. The downloadable plans from Etsy seller I Like To Make Stuff Shop offer step-by-step guidance through construction, in both imperial and metric measurements.
Get the I Like to Make Stuff Shop Potting Bench Plans at Etsy for $7.
4. Solid and Sturdy
Made using only 2x4s, 2x6s, and one 2x8x8, this DIY potting bench is both easy to make and, once complete, very sturdy. The plans include directions for adding a built-in tub or adding casters to the legs to create a movable bench.
Get the Old World Garden Vintage DIY Potting Bench Plans at Etsy for $10.
5. 2x4s Potting Bench
If you have some spare 2x4s lying around from old projects, get ready to upcycle them—this is the only kind of wood you’ll need to build this gardening accessory. Once you download the plans, you’ll receive an e-book full of all the info you need to make the bench. However, these plans are not recommended for beginners, since they do not include step-by-step directions for each cut and step in the assembly process.
Get the Whitt’s Workshop Potting Bench Plans at Etsy for $7.95.
6. Hidden Storage
With these downloadable plans you can construct your own potting bench with hidden storage compartments. The bench’s counter is divided into three different sections, each of which can be removed to reveal a storage bin underneath where you can store soil, tools, or other gardening essentials. These plans are designed to be easy enough for most beginners to follow.
Get the Charleston Craft DIY Potting Bench With Hidden Storage Plans at Etsy for $10.99.
7. Small Folding Table
If space is at a premium on your deck or patio and you don’t have room for a full-sized potting bench, consider downloading the plans to build this small folding table. It’s 48 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 39 inches high. The table mounts to the wall, and when it’s not in use can be folded against the wall. The plans to construct this folding table include detailed drawings and images and clear directions for assembly.
Get the DfxStlDigital Wood Folding Table Plans at Etsy for $5.
8. Tiered Potting Bench
Use these free potting bench plans to keep your gardening tools and supplies organized and ensure you have ample space to work on all of your gardening projects. The potting bench features a lower middle tier designed to make potting easier, a spacious lower shelf, an upper shelf, and space to hang gardening tools. The plans for this DIY garden table include step-by-step directions with images that will walk you through the construction process.
Get the DIY Potting Bench Plans at The Home Depot for Free
9. Suitable for Beginners
If you don’t have a lot of woodworking experience, this garden potting bench plan might be for you. The downloadable file includes a shopping list, clear directions, cut instructions, and diagrams to help you know where to place screws or nails. Once complete, the potting bench offers two lower shelves, a high upper shelf, and space to attach hooks to organize tools.
Get the DIY Easy Woodworking Potting Bench Plans at Etsy for $9.
RELATED: 15 Surprisingly Simple Woodworking Projects for Beginners
10. Space to Hang Tools
With these free printable plans, you can build a potting bench using only 2x4s. With the cut list, step-by-step instructions, and labeled diagrams, even beginners should find these plans easy to follow. The finished shelf includes a tall lower shelf, a hutch shelf, and room to place hooks along the spaced-out 2×4’s on the back wall.
Get the Potting Bench Plans at Ryobi Nation for Free
11. Farmhouse Potting Bench
If your interior decor is modern farmhouse look and you want to keep that vibe going out of doors, this potting bench is just the ticket. We love the X detailing on the outside edges (and if you love the farmhouse look, it probably matches a console table in your home). The table measures 55 inches tall by 50 inches long by 20 inches deep; though the plans include cut details, instructions, and diagrams, take note—some buyers comment that it isn’t a novice-level project.
Get the DigitalTutoriaStudio Farmhouse Potting Bench Plans at Etsy for $4.33.
RELATED: How to Clean Terra-Cotta Pots
12. Sink and Shelves
Follow the clear directions to make this potting bench in just a day. The potting bench plans with sink are ideal for those needing access to water when working with their plants. These detailed plans include a tool list, a shopping list, a cut list, cut diagrams, and step-by-by assembly instructions.
Get the Garden Plans Potting Bench With Sink Plans at Etsy for $4.99.
13. Potting Bench with Bin
Try these plans if you’re looking for a potting bench with enclosed storage. The plans include directions to add a bin to the potting bench, where you can store tools, soil, or other supplies you want to protect from the elements. Available for free, these plans include a tools and materials list, project diagrams, a cut list, and step-by-step instructions.
Get the Potting Bench Plans at Lowe’s for Free
14. Wall-Mounted Folding Bench
This large potting bench designed by Australia-based Etsy seller CE Carpentry mounts to the wall and folds up when it’s not in use. The downloadable PDF includes a hardware list, cut list, step-by-step assembly instructions, and clear drawings to help individuals construct the bench. At 83 inches long, this potting bench offers more work space than many other DIY potting bench plans we’ve found.
Get the CECarpentry Folding Work Bench Plans at Etsy for $11.14.
The prices listed here are accurate as of April 11, 2023.