How to build a bench with storage

This step by step diy woodworking project is about how to build a bench with storage. If you want to build a nice entryway bench with storage, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the article. You can add chair cushions to the top of the bench to make it more comfy. This would make for a cute entryway bench.

Work with attention and invest in high quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar. Adjust the size and the design of the bench with storage. This bench is simple to build. Add waterproof glue to enhance the rigidity of the structure. In addition, we recommend you to check if the frames are perfectly horizontal and the side plumb. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Building a bench with storage

Materials

A – 4 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 34 1/2″ long, 6 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 13 1/4” long FRAMES
B – 4 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 11″ long SUPPORTS
C – 2 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 16″x17″ long SIDES
D – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 13 1/4″x34 1/2″ long BOTTOM
E – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 17″x39″ long SEAT
F – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 13 1/4″x13 3/4″ long PARTITION
G – 1 piece of 1×3 lumber – 36″ long, 2 pieces – 15″ long TRIMS
H – 1 piece of 1/2″ plywood – 16″x34 1/2″ long BACK

1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
1 piece of 1/2″ plywood – 2’x3′
3 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 8 ft
cushions
2 1/2″ screws
1 1/4″ screws
glue, stain
wood filler

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

How to build a storage bench

Building the frames

The first step of the project is to build the bottom and the top frames of the bench. As you can easily notice in the plans, we recommend you to attach the 1×2 supports to the 1×3 components. Make sure the corners are right-angled and drill pocket holes at both ends of the supports, before inserting the 1 1/4″ screws into place.

Attaching the bottom sheet

Continue the woodworking project by attaching a piece of 3/4″ plywood to the bottom of the bench. As you can easily notice in the plans, we recommend you to make accurate cuts and to secure it into place with galvanized screws. Make sure there are no gaps between the components and the plywood sheet.

Building the side faces of the bench

Next, you need to build the sides of the bench, using the pattern shown in the image. Mark the cut lines with a pencil and make the curved cuts with a jigsaw. Smooth the cut edges with a piece of sandpaper.

Attaching the side walls

Attaching the frames to the side components is the next step of the woodworking project. Drill pocket holes through the 1×2 supports and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the side components. Add waterproof glue to enhance the rigidity of the structure. In addition, we recommend you to check if the frames are perfectly horizontal and the side plumb.

Attaching the back wall

Cut a piece of 1/2″ plywood and fit it to the back of the bench with storage. Drill several pilot holes and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the frame of the bench, if you want to get the job done in a professional manner.

Fitting the trims

Attach 1×2 trims to the back and front faces of the bench, as shown in the plans. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the trims and secure them into place with galvanized screws. Continue the project by fitting the splitting wall, as shown in the image. Cut the 3/4″ plywood piece at the right size, drill pocket holes along the edges and insert 1 1/4″ screws into the frame.

Attaching the bench seat

Cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood at the size shown in the plans and secure it into place with screws. Drill pocket holes through the top frame and insert screws into the plywood piece. Round the exterior edges with a jigsaw, in order to get a professional result. Smooth the edges with sandpaper and remove the residues with a vacuum cleaner.

Attaching the top trims

One of the last steps of the project is to attach the trims to the top of the bench with storage. Cut the 1×3 trims at the right size, drill pocket holes along the bottom edges and insert screws into the seat. Add glue to enhance the bond of the components.

How to build a bench with storage

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.

Thank you for reading our project about how to build a bench with storage and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends and LIKE us, by using the social media widgets. SUBSCRIBE if you want to be the first that gets our latest articles.

PRINT PLAN