An arbor bench nook is a popular outdoor design for reading, having a cup of tea, or just relaxing in a garden. As the name suggests, it usually has a seat or a bench with a roof and two walls. The seat can have a storage box underneath for cushions and blankets and the walls can have windows. The overall design is, basically, a shallow box with a flat or gable roof. It’s a perfect subject for a DIY project. I’d like to introduce these multiple designs of the same type of arbor bench to you so you can decide which one is easier to build yourself.
I start with an arbor bench built from Cedar planks and lattice panels and with a storage box under the seat.
Tips:
- Customization: Adjust dimensions based on the available space and desired aesthetics. The above design is approximately 2 feet deep, 4 feet wide, and 6 feet high (side walls)
- Weather Protection: Apply an outdoor wood stain or sealer to protect against weathering.
- Decoration: Add hooks for hanging planters or fairy lights for extra charm.
Here are more variations of the above design, with no storage.
Above is a deeper arbor, about 3 feet deep, to incorporate a small side table for morning coffee or evening tea. The back wall is completely enclosed with cedar planks.
Here’s another 3 feet deep version but with a gap on the back wall, just under the roof.
This one has lattice panels on all three walls, half-way, and a built-in bench.
The roof on this arbor design is turned 90 degrees vs. the roof on the very first design with the storage box.
The above design has side walls made from latticework, while the back remains solid wood.
Here’s an asymmetrical design with only one side wall made with the lattice panels.
In the above image, an arbor bench reading nook is shown with all three walls made from lattice panels.
This nook is built with a square cell lattice.
This next DIY arbor bench reading nook design is based on a simple flat roof arbor.
No side walls, latticework on the back, with a built-in bench.
Large square cell lattice for the wall. The bench can be built-in or installed afterwards.
Here’s a simplistic DIY arbor reading nook with no back wall.
This next design series is based on the most popular reading nook arbor bench design.
