Bench for a bath, types of furniture for different rooms, choice of material, making it yourself

Whenever it comes to making an item for a bath on your own, we consider it necessary to provide the reader with the most useful information, but we doubt that it is sought by a person who has no practical experience at all in the chosen field.
Because we need to start with mastering the tool and the basics of standard operations, the same fastenings in carpentry... But we are unlikely to be able to help someone who doesn’t know how to do anything yet. There are other resources and books for this. Therefore, let’s say right away: the tips and instructions below are designed for a person who owns a tool in both senses - both in terms of availability and in terms of the ability to use it.

So, where to start for someone who has decided to make a bathhouse bench with their own hands?

Variety of designs and requirements for them

The word “bench” often serves as a collective name, although in any bathhouse, strictly speaking, there are three types of structures. They have a lot in common, although there are differences:

Bench . A bench in a bathhouse usually means a portable seat (although there are both portable and stationary options).
Bench . A seat with or without a backrest, but then adjacent or attached to the wall. A bench, as a rule, is a stationary object.
Shelf (or sun lounger) . A seat or lounger with strictly defined dimensions is installed exclusively in the steam room. The design of the shelves (emphasis on the last syllable) is extremely varied. There are stationary, removable options, as well as their varieties: tiered, folding, folding.

The terminology is not strict: a bench can be used as a shelf in a steam room. However, no matter what the bathhouse bench is, there is a set of requirements that are the same for all bathhouse furniture. One of the main ones is safety and the associated sustainability.

Bench and benches in the recreation area Source homeli.ru

To prevent a person sitting on the edge of a bench from turning over with it, the structure must have the correct proportions, be low enough, and have a comfortable wide seat to distribute the weight. The weight of the product also plays a big role in stability. In addition to safety, the following qualities are important:

Two interrelated qualities: functionality and convenience . The size of the furniture plays a big role here.
When creating bath benches and sun loungers, design is not important : traditional simplicity of forms is welcome.
Reliability . A lot depends on the design here. For example, a bench in the form of a board with two supports will quickly sway under the weight of those sitting and fall apart. The structure must be strengthened with the help of spacers between the legs, installation of additional (intermediate supports), and braces.
Durability . You should not use too massive boards to make bath furniture: they absorb more moisture, take longer to dry, and are more difficult to dry properly.

Corner bench in the washing room Source dekoriko.ru

What items should a bath furniture set consist of?

You need to focus on individual tastes and financial capabilities, but there is a certain standard minimum.

Shelves must be made in the steam room of the bath. They can have different shapes and sizes: single-stage or have several steps; located along the walls of the bathhouse or be in the shape of “G”, “P”. Wooden headrests and footrests are often placed in the steam room. Due to the fact that the place where they steam is small, it does not need to be cluttered with unnecessary objects, as they will serve as an obstacle to the movement of air. For convenience, you can add a small bench to place basins and ladles and attach hooks.
Shelves are the most important component of a bathhouse interior and making them yourself is absolutely simple and inexpensive.
Types and shapes of shelves for baths
The washing compartment of the bathhouse should be equipped with a shelf, and benches of various configurations and sizes can be made. Details such as stools for tubs, buckets and other bath utensils would be useful here. Place a hanger away from possible splashes.
Scheme and drawing of a bench for a wooden bath

Ergonomics of bath furniture: optimal sizes

The size of benches and other furniture affects the comfort of bath procedures. Sitting on a bench that is either too low or too high is equally uncomfortable, which must be taken into account when purchasing (or making) furniture. When choosing the size of a bench for a bathhouse, much depends on the area of the premises, but, for example, the height of the seat, a key parameter for convenience, does not depend on the dimensions of the steam room.

When choosing the size of bath furniture, many owners are guided by the size of regular visitors to the bathhouse. But, if the “users” are of normal height, you can take the average shop sizes with the following values:

For sitting . The optimal height would be 50-80 cm, width - at least 40 cm. An additional element is a footrest.
For the sauna . They are traditionally made a little taller, 50-90 cm, and wide, 40-50 cm, so that you can sit half-sitting. It is logical that the element of furniture is a fairly high back, from 100-110 cm.
For lying down . The average height is 50 cm, width is at least 90 cm. A footrest is not needed for this design.

The upper tier is often made wider Source vsyakraska.ru

Length . A bench intended for one has a length of approximately 90 cm. A seat for two will be 60 cm longer, for three – 120 cm.
Seat features . It is necessary to leave gaps of 1-1.5 cm in the seat between the boards. Thanks to the gaps, water will drain faster from the wooden surface and it will dry faster.

Manufacturing technology for a bench without a back

The simplest bench without a back consists of a seat and legs and is made as follows:

Develop a drawing of a bench for a bathhouse, in which you indicate the dimensions of the component elements.

Make legs from 50x50 mm bars.

On the inside of the legs, make grooves for the cross beam.

Install cross bars into the grooves and secure with self-tapping screws. Sink the fasteners into the wood.

Connect the legs with long beams, which are attached to the top of the legs using self-tapping screws. Boards will lie on the beams.

Lay the boards on horizontal beams and secure with dowels or screws. Provide gaps between the boards so that water does not accumulate at the joints and flows freely.

Make places for the dowels in increments of 30-40 cm, then hammer the boards into place.

If metal fasteners are used for fastening, recess the head into the board. Mask the hole on top with a mixture of PVA and sawdust.

Sand and sand the bench. This requires special attachments. Use coarse grits first, then fine grits. Work carefully, removing small layers of wood.

Remove splinters and sharp corners from the structure using sanding discs.

Treat the bench with a protective compound intended for baths, for example, special oil. Apply 1-2 layers of oil.

Leave the bench to dry for the period specified in the instructions for the product.

Do not use drying oil or varnishes; they emit unpleasant fumes when heated.

Types and quantities

Furniture for different bath rooms differs in parameters and appearance. Thus, benches for the washing department have the following features:

The simplest and at the same time stable model, capable of supporting the weight of not only a person, but also a container of water. It shouldn't tip over if you sit on the edge.
For production, wood species that are resistant to contact with water and high air humidity are selected.
For safety, the supports are moved to the edges of the structure, the boards chosen are thick enough, from 4 cm.
The natural location is along the walls, near shelves for bath accessories.

Furniture intended for the rest room is more comfortable:

Typically, wooden benches have a backrest and can be moved.

Two-tier design for a steam room with an additional shelf Source ytimg.com

Any wood, even soft wood, is chosen for production, since air humidity is close to normal.
The surface of the material needs careful processing, and the products themselves can be decorated.

The optimal number of benches for a bathhouse is determined based on the number of visitors to the bathhouse. It is important to arrange them so that they allow free movement around the room. To solve the problem, it is convenient to make a drawing with preserved proportions.

In a small bathhouse in the washing room, as a rule, two benches are placed; they are designed for one and two visitors. In the relaxation room, the furniture is placed around the table and has large dimensions so that you can lie down.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the design and construction of baths of any complexity

Care Tips

Sauna benches are used in difficult conditions and therefore require special care. To make wooden furniture last longer, you need to follow these recommendations:

regularly ventilate the room to avoid the development of fungus and mold;
Complete each bath day by cleaning all rooms and drying all equipment;
periodically you need to heat the bathhouse empty, bringing the temperature to 100 degrees (to destroy all pathogenic microorganisms);
From time to time inspect the structures for the appearance of rot.

A wooden bench is a mandatory attribute for a bathhouse, which requires proper care. You can make it yourself, and it won’t take much time.

Requirements for material and homemade structures

All bath furniture is made of wood, which is not surprising, given the naturalness and environmental friendliness of the material. However, there are some requirements that wood intended for use in specific conditions must meet.

One of the options for a mobile bench Source mebpilot.ru

When evaluating different types of wood, pay attention to how well they correspond to the following parameters:

Moisture resistance . For the bathhouse, choose breeds that are least susceptible to any type of humidity, and therefore resistant to the appearance of fungus and rot. Moisture resistance is explained by the presence of special resinous substances; They extend the life of the furniture.
High density . Dense wood is more suitable for a bathhouse, as it is less susceptible to cracking due to temperature changes. A crack is the result of wood breaking along the grain, caused, for example, by uneven drying. Cracks in bath furniture are extremely undesirable, as they are dangerous due to splinters.
Low thermal conductivity . The parameter depends on the density, humidity and direction of the fibers. Thermal conductivity along the wood fibers is almost three times higher than across it. This can be taken into account when choosing a material: the lower the thermal conductivity, the less the surface heats up and the less discomfort from touch.
Durability . The boards should be free of knots, chips and other defects. All of them contribute to a decrease in strength.

Processing the edge of the seat Source pinimg.com
Homemade wooden structures must meet the following requirements:

The surface of the material is carefully leveled by grinding. To do this, use manual sanding (with sandpaper with sequential changes in grain size) or a grinding machine.
The corners of the furniture must be rounded, since radius parts are safer.
Stability is important for all objects, even with uneven load; a margin of safety is also required.
The space under the bathhouse benches is not sewn up; this helps the wood dry out faster. For the same purpose, a gap of 7-10 cm is left between the object and the wall.
Furniture is placed only against blank walls so that those sitting do not get caught in a draft.
It is prohibited to use paints and varnishes for surface treatment; when heated, they release dangerous volatile compounds. There will be an unpleasant smell in the room, and such a procedure will have very little to do with health.
Naturally based antiseptic impregnations (vegetable oils, wax) are allowed.

Natural oil for shelves in baths and saunas Source prom.st

Required Tools

Tools for making a bench
It is better to use electric tools for cutting boards; work with them is easier and faster. You can use a hand saw and plane.

Prepare tools for assembling a bathhouse bench:

miter saw;
screwdriver with attachments;
electric router;
grinding machine with a set of attachments;
hammer, mallet (for wooden fasteners);
tape measure, level, construction square.

Brushes of different sizes, rollers and a ditch are needed for finishing the surface and pre-impregnating the wood.

Material selection

Not all wood is suitable for making bathhouse benches, which is due to the special (and different) microclimate of the premises. For example, you should not use coniferous wood in a steam room: the resin contained in such wood melts at high temperatures and appears on the surface, which can cause burns. However, for a rest room or washing room this is an acceptable option.

The classic list of wood types for bath furniture is as follows:

Linden . One of the most commonly used materials for making bath furniture. An important advantage of linden wood is that it has medium density and therefore heats up slightly. In bath conditions it is short-lived; when exposed to water and steam, it is quickly exposed to mold. This is visible externally: over time, the surface darkens.
Aspen . Light, uniform wood with a pleasant-looking texture, resistant to abrasion and easy to process. Aspen is considered a budget option for bath furniture; it has poor resistance to water; It takes a long time to dry, but it is not prone to cracking and does not warp.

Benches in the interior of a log bath Source par-torg.com

Video description

About a simple linden bench in the following video:

Pine . Pine is a low-density wood species, and the density depends on the age and growth conditions of the tree and affects its ability to hold fasteners. In terms of price/quality ratio, this is the most advantageous material. The wood is resinous, but without treatment in a humid environment it deteriorates quite quickly.
Birch . The wood is dense, but relatively soft and pliable, which allows it to be processed with hand tools. But in conditions of high humidity, birch quickly becomes affected by mold and darkens. Birch benches need special protection and good ventilation.
Larch . The wood has a pleasant golden-honey color, it is durable and resistant to moisture (under its influence it becomes harder). This property ensures a long service life of bath benches and benches without changing the color and texture of the surface. The only drawback of the material is its cost.
Oak _ Oak wood is dense (and therefore heavy), hard and durable. It is more profitable to make benches for the dressing room from it: the material has a beautiful texture and is not afraid of water, but due to its high density it heats up noticeably. Oak products cost a lot, but they last a long time.

Bench and bench made of pine Source par-torg.com
Wood of other valuable species (for example, maple, cedar) is used less frequently. If you have the opportunity to choose wood, it is convenient to use the following criteria:

Coniferous species are not used to make furniture for the steam room, since they release resin when heated. However, they are ideal for rooms with lower temperatures, where the healing pine scent acts as aromatherapy.
The optimal choice for a paired compartment is deciduous varieties.
An important quality is high drying speed; to a greater extent it is inherent in lumber from linden, aspen, and oak.

Processing methods

Wooden structures for baths are impregnated with special natural-based products. The use of oil-based varnishes and paints is unacceptable, since when heated they will smell unpleasant and release toxins. The following compounds will help protect benches from mold, fire, and rotting:

Oils. The products protect wooden products in the steam room from moisture and do not form a film on the surface.
Oil wax. Made from natural ingredients, used in washing and steam rooms. The composition does not emit toxic substances when heated strongly.
Bleaches. Contain oxidizing agents that prevent the formation of a dark shade.
Fire retardants. They are relevant if the sauna bench is installed next to an open fire or is operated at elevated temperatures. Such means prevent accidental fire of the product.

How to make a universal bench for your garden with your own hands

Before processing, the surface of the bench is thoroughly sanded and polished. The layers of wood are removed slowly and not too deeply. After this, the products are applied in 1–2 layers, and the bench is allowed to dry completely. It is recommended to carry out all procedures strictly according to the attached instructions.

Oils

Oil wax

Bleaches

Fire retardants

How to make a bench

If you don’t have a lot of experience and specialized skills, you should start by making a bath bench. Technologically, this is the simplest design, consisting of two types of parts: supports and seats. A novice carpenter must adhere to the following order:

Draw a diagram of the structure indicating the dimensions of each element.
Stock up on material. You will need 2 boards (150x20x5 cm), 2 planks (10x2 cm) and 2 beams (5x5 cm). Self-tapping screws will also be needed. All lumber must be sanded.

Diagram of one of the bench options Source parilochka.com

Design possibilities

Despite the fact that bath furniture has mainly a utilitarian purpose, there are some possibilities for its design. To ensure that the benches do not stand out from the general style, you can use the following finishing techniques:

In a traditional Russian bathhouse, massive benches made of logs would be appropriate, and the bench in the dressing room can have a simple shape, and the back of the bench in the rest room can be decorated with carvings. Wooden barrels and tubs will serve as a harmonious addition to the interior.
A country-style bathhouse will be decorated with a bench, the seat of which is made of boards with uneven edges. Here it is important to ensure that the bend is comfortable (for the back this does not matter). Benches with backs can be complemented with massive armrests.
Benches intended for saunas have a strict shape, a carefully polished surface, and they try to choose light wood for manufacturing. Such structures are attached along the walls, and the side surface is covered with boards (in the sauna the steam is dry, so ventilation is not so important).

Table and benches in country style Source nikastroy.ru

Blueprints

Below we present several drawings that we found on the vastness of the worldwide computer network. We do not claim authorship and do not know their authors, therefore we cannot provide links to primary sources (see appeal to copyright holders). We have taken the liberty of adding some explanations to these drawings.

Not the easiest bench. Please note that instead of timber for the legs, boards were used, mounted with both glue and self-tapping screws . The connection of the legs with the spacer is done in a quarter. The long side of the bench is sheathed with boards according to exactly the same principle as the short side (see the blue blocks and their fastening - the same is perpendicular). The seat is also attached to the finished frame with self-tapping screws - you can make it simpler, only from bars, without an end strip on both sides (if you make one, then with a tongue-and-groove connection ).

But this drawing is easier to implement. Please note that the legs are attached to the seat using a dovetail joint , which is additionally secured with pairs of plugs. A massive spacer will not allow the structure to wobble. It is noteworthy that the authors did not do without metal fastening - in the middle of the spacer it is supposed to drill a hole for a long self-tapping screw , which will fasten the spacer to the seat.

Here is a variation of the first drawing. This is no longer just a bench, but a whole sun lounger. First, a seat is prepared from polished boards 50x100 mm, which are fastened with two transverse bars. The legs are attached to the bars, and instead of the usual spacer or jib, the frame is sheathed on top (immediately under the seat) with a 25x150 mm board around the perimeter.

A small portable “banquette” can also be useful in a bathhouse. It is made extremely simply: the frame on which the seat slats are placed is attached to the U-shaped legs. By the way, the design is quite flimsy ; it would be strengthened from below with a spacer either in the form of a frame “O” (rectangle) or “I” (Latin “I” with transverse dashes). Everything is self-tapping.

Quite a simple model on dowels. The drawing shows that the authors considered a pair of dowels sufficient for attaching each side panel to the seat, and the transverse beam is attached with a tongue-and-groove connection, and the tenon, it seems, is machined from the beam itself. And in the sidewalls a hole of the appropriate diameter is drilled for the tenon. Such connections are mounted on glue.

In this design, it is not entirely clear why make a groove in the sidewall, if anyway the crossbar will then be attached to it using self-tapping screws ? (Which will then have to be masked with putty.) The seat is secured to the frame using dowels.

But the option is generally the simplest and even hacky , which can even be made from moisture-resistant plywood . Of course, you can’t put such a bench in a steam room, but it may well fit somewhere in a waiting room. Since the fastening is not shown in the drawing, we dare to suggest fastening the structure with ordinary corners.

A simple and reliable bench with dowels and screws. All the details can be seen in the figure; in total you will need 8 dowels and 12 screws. Please note that the leg extensions (replacing the jibs) are attached to the legs with self-tapping screws through the grooves on top. And this construct is attached to the seat from the reverse side.

Variation on the crossbeam . Judging by the appearance, everything was done using a board of the same thickness - 38 mm, that is, a sanded “magpie”. The fastening is not shown in the drawing, but it can be assumed that it can be fastened with self-tapping screws.

ATTENTION! Do not forget that it is best to install stainless steel fixtures in the bathhouse.

An interesting option, say, for a relaxation room. X-shaped legs look beautiful, and the way to make them is to make notches half the width of the board on both “legs.” Fasteners - glue and self-tapping screws.

Briefly about the main thing

A bench in a bathhouse is one of the most important elements of the interior, creating a comfortable environment. Furniture can be purchased ready-made or made independently, which is especially beneficial if you need a product with non-standard dimensions.

Furniture for different bath rooms differs in size, shape and design (for example, a bench in a Russian steam room does not have a backrest). It is made from wood with certain properties that can withstand regular changes in temperature and humidity. Moderately hard rocks are preferred, which when heated are pleasant to the skin and do not crack over time.

The design of the bench consists of a small number of simple elements; it is easy to make it yourself. The process will become more complicated if you want to decorate the furniture in some style or add armrests to it.

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Colonial Rec Room Bench

If the appearance of the bench is not very good, you can change it and improve it. To do this, decide on the processing style and buy decorative materials. Go to visit your friends and take a photo of the benches in the bathhouse, and then choose a processing method. The colonial style allows you to make the bench noticeable and expensive.

The work is performed in the following sequence. Brush the bench elements with a wire brush and apply a layer of white glaze to the surface of the wood. Wait until dry and re-brush the wood with a wire brush. The furniture will be bleached with grooved brush marks. Apply a layer of varnish to the surface; after drying, the furniture can be used.