A seat will make your arbor a charming place from which to view your garden or house, to read, knit or simply to relax. Follow the instructions below to build one.
Rip the lattice mounting strips in the same way as you did the archway strips. Mark the 2-inch-radius curves in the front seat support with a 4-inch-diameter template and cut them with a jigsaw. Wear eye protection and gloves to cut the lattice.
Add the two stretchers between the rear posts at the same heights as side stretchers. Install the seat supports, cutting off the inside lattice mounting strips if necessary. Nail the inside lattice mounting strips on the post and the upper stretcher, using a spacer block to get the proper inset. Do not add the strip across the lower stretcher until after you have put in the seat blocks with screws through the rear and front seat supports. Then add that strip, put the lattice in place and install the second set of strips to hold the lattice.
Screw the rear seat plank in place, butted against the lattice strips on the posts. Screw the front seat plank in place overhanging the front seat support 3/4 inch. Space the remaining seat planks equally between these two and screw them in place.
The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc./GID
Build a seat for your arbor to create a charming place to relax.
