Firepit Benches with Table and Storage

Hi everyone!  Happiest Friday!

We've learned one thing about the tiny house pretty quick.  It's tiny house, big outdoors.  And there's no better place to be outdoors than summertime in Alaska.  We are truly blessed.

But one big issue we found pretty quick is the benches that we have around our firepit became the go to dump spot for everything and anything.  Without a table outside, food, bags, clothing, garabage, beverages - it all got dumped on the benches as opposed to the ground.

So my friend Jen and I sat there and fantasied about the perfect firepit benches.  They would have a table right behind the bench, so all the s'more supplies could be close at reach.  And they'd need to have some storage, to hide the spare bag of marshmellows and the chips and the cooler, within easy reach but out of sight.  Wouldn't that be lovely?

Well, a few hours in the garage, and I made this!

And we fell in love with it immediately.  So perfect!  I had to make another!

Two might not be enough!

They are very comfortable and sturdy, but also practical and beautiful.  I love the table height surface for prepping and serving food and beverages.  And the storage space is a life saver.  

And the kiddos agree!

Here's how I made these -

I cut all my boards using a compound miter saw at 15 degrees off square.  I used 2x4s for the leg sets.

I made the second leg set in mirror so the seat and tabletop boards can sit on top of the horizontal 2x4s.

Then I just layed out the 2x4s and screwed them together with 2-3/4" deck screws.  

Then I just cut a bunch of 2x6 boads and layed on top and screwed down.

One coat of semi-transparent penetrating deck stain (I use the Behr stuff in a brown tone on this one) and I'm done!

For one of the benches I added additional support to the base to strengthen the legs up. you could even do shelving on the bottom base for even more storage.

Here's the video of building the firepit benches -

And of course, the plans follow.  Enjoy! 

XO Ana