This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build a mudroom bench. If you want to learn more about building a basic mudroom bench with storage for your hallway, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. Check out the rest of the woodworking projects, as there are many plans to choose from and many ideas to use for your home.
Before starting the actual construction project, we recommend you to plan everything, as to save money and to keep the costs under control. Adjust the size and the design of the entryway bench to suit your needs. In addition, we recommend you to invest in high-quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar, as they have a nice finish and are highly durable, especially in a humid environment.
If you don’t have a rich expertise in woodworking field, you should ask a friend to give you a hand with the project. There are many things that you could go wrong, so make sure you plan everything and invest in quality materials. Select the lumber with attention, making sure the components are perfectly straight and in a very good condition. Use a carpentry square to check if the corners are right-angled. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
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How to build a mudroom bench
Building a mudroom bench
Materials
- A – 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 11″ long, 2 pieces – 16 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 11″ x 11 1/2″ long 2xSIDE
- B – 2 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 11″ long, 2 pieces – 42″ long, 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 11″ x 17 1/4″ long 2xFACE
- C – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 40 1/2″ long, 3 pieces – 15″ long BOTTOM
- D – 1 piece of 1×4 lumber – 40 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ long BOTTOM
- E – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 11 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 42″ long, 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 11 1/2″ x 39″ long, 1 piece of 1×4 lumber – 42″ long LID
- F – 2 piece of 1×4 lumber – 43 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
- G – 1 piece of 1×6 lumber – 40 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 16 1/2″ x 40 1/2″ long SUPPORTS
- H – 7 piece of 1×3 lumber – 21 1/2″ long TRIMS
- I – 1 piece of 1×6 lumber – 44″ long TOP
Tools
- Safety gloves, glasses, Miter saw, jigsaw
- Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
- Drill machinery and drill bits
Tips
- Apply several coats of wood stain to the wooden components
- Fill the holes with wood filler and smooth the surface
Time
- One Day
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Building a mudroom bench
Building the side panels
The first step of the project is to build the sides for the mudroom bench. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to use 1×3 slats for the frame and 1/2″ plywood for the panels. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the vertical slats and secure them to the horizontal slats using 1 1/4″ screws and glue. Make sure the corners are square. Drill pocket holes along the edges of the plywood panels and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the frame.
Building the front wall
Build the front and the back walls in the same manner described above. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the vertical slats and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the horizontal trims. Fit the panels and secure them to the framing using 1 1/4″ screws and glue.
Assembling the frame of the bench
Assembling the frame of the mudroom bench is a straight-forward process. Align the walls with great care and make sure the corners are square. The edges should be flush and add glue to the joints. Insert finishing nails or pilot screws to secure the adjacent walls together.
Building the bottom of the bench
Build a frame for the bottom of the bench. Use 1×4 slats to create the frame and secure it to the walls by using finishing nails and glue.
Attaching the bottom
Build the floor for the bench out of 3/4″ plywood and attach it to the frame. Insert a few finishing nails or galvanized screws to lock the components together tightly. Leave no gaps between the components.
Building the lid
Build the lid for the bench to get a professional result. Make the frame for the lid out of 1×2 lumber and the panel out of 3/4″ plywood. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the short components and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the perpendicular components. Make sure the corners are square. Drill pocket holes along the plywood panel and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the frame, after making sure the edges are flush.
Attaching the bench lid
Fit a piece of 1×4 lumber to the back of the bench. Align it at both ends and secure it into place using finishing nails. Use hings to lock the lid into place and check if it opens and closes properly.
Fitting the vertical supports
Next, fit the 1×4 supports to the mudroom bench. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to drill pocket holes at both ends and to secure them to the supports using 1 1/4″ screws and glue. Use a spirit level to make sure the supports are plumb. Check if the corners are square before continuing the project.
Attaching the back trims
Next, fit the components to the back of the mudroom bench. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the components and secure them to the supports by using 1 1/4″ screws. Make sure the corners are square and add glue to enhance the rigidity of the joints.
Fitting the vertical slats
Fit 1×3 trims to the back of the bench, in order to enhance the look. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the vertical trims and secure them to the top and bottom supports using 1 1/4″ screws. Align the edges and add glue to the joints. Place the trims equally-spaced.
Fitting the top trim
One of the last steps of the project is to attach the top component to the hall bench. Build the top component out of 1×6 lumber and secure it to the supports with finishing nails. Add glue to the joints and make sure the corners are square.
How to build a mudroom bench
Last but not least, we recommend you to take care of the finishing touches. Fill the holes with wood filler and let it to dry out for several hours. Afterwards, smooth the wooden surface with fine-grit sandpaper and vacuum the residues.
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