Imagine hanging your fresh laundry beneath wooden beams that glow golden in the sunlight. The sturdy structure feels like part of the garden itself, and the bench invites you to pause and enjoy the rustle of drying fabrics.
Bonus, this design feels more like a backyard retreat than a drying rack, practicality wrapped in beauty.
Materials Needed
- 6 wooden beams, 4” × 4” × 8 ft
- 8 wooden planks, 2” × 6” × 4 ft
- 2 wooden cross beams, 2” × 4” × 5 ft
- Outdoor wood screws, 3”
- Concrete mix or metal post anchors
- Wood stain/sealant
- Strong clothesline cord (nylon or cotton), about 30 ft
- Hooks or eye bolts
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Secure two 4×4 posts in the ground with concrete or metal anchors. You should leave at least 7 ft height above ground for good clearance.
Step 2: Attach horizontal beams (2×4 or 4×4) across the top to form the pergola-like arms. Then add decorative angled cuts at the ends if you’d like a more elegant finish.
Step 3: Build the bench by screwing the 2×6 planks across two supporting posts. You can sand the edges smooth for comfort.
Step 4: Treat the entire structure with a weatherproof stain or sealant to extend its life.
Step 5: Install hooks or eye bolts across the beams and string your clothesline tightly. Make sure it’s taut to handle wet laundry weight.
Tips:
This design works beautifully in a garden corner where flowers or shrubs can frame it.
If you want to go further, grow climbing plants like jasmine or clematis along the posts, the mix of greenery, blooms, and swaying clothes feels like poetry in motion.