Build a custom mudroom bench! This bench features a simple, basic design that is easy to clean under and lots of room for boots, shoes, or baskets and bins. Customize with hutch or wall organization.
Free plans from Ana-White.com
If the mudroom is the first thing you see when you walk in the door, why not make it beautiful and functional?
For a remote cabin, we had a awkward wall behind the front door with some bent hooks and leftover cabinets.
With about a $200 investment, using the existing cabinets, this is what it looks like now:
The bench was the game changer. It was the structure that was needed to make this wall into a mudroom.
Why We Love this Open Bottom Bench
- Easy to build design
- Customizeable in size and color for a perfect fit - even 14 feet long as shown!
- Accessible bottom is easy to clean
- Largest possible opening for taller boots, or baskets and bins
- Pairs well with other cabinets, organizers, under windows or other architectural features
How this Bench is Built
This bench is super easy to build! I was able to build it myself, in a 14 foot length. Here's the video tutorial:
Free Plans for Frameless Open Bottom Mudroom Bench
Pin For Later!
Preparation
- Plywood panels, 17-1/4" tall x desired depth (15-1/4" as shown) - Shelf Help Configurator Tool
- 1x3 or 1x4 boards for bay supports
- 1x boards in overall length of bench for bench top
- 1-1/4" pocket hole screws (about 20-30 per bay)
- 3/4" plywood @ 17-1/4" tall x desired bench depth, front edge finished
- 3 - 1x3 or 1x4 @ bay width (per bay)
- 1x boards in overall length for bench top
Instructions
Step 1
PLAN YOUR BENCH - First, measure the space and determine:
- Overall length (keep in mind 1x boards for the top are hard to source over 16 feet long). The bench shown in this photo is 14 feet long.
- Depth - choose 15-1/4", 20-1/4" or 23-1/4" depths. Note that the top may overhang on the front, increasing the overall bench depth
- Height - Should be 18" with a finished top. Finished top is usually 3/4" thick.
Design your bench using the free Shelf Help Configurator Tool using your measurements.
If not ordering from Shelf Help, cut plywood pieces and finish front edges with edge banding.
Step 2
Cut 1x3 or 1x4 bay supports, three per bay.
Drill 1-1/4" pocket holes as shown in the diagram. TIP: Slightly offset pocket holes to one side to avoid intersecting screws when assembling.
Assemble the bench with the bay supports.
Step 3
TOP
Figure the boards needed for the top. TIP: Cut boards 1" long, and then trim entire bench top after completion for square finished ends.
Join boards together edge to edge with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.
Sand top in direction of wood grain.
Attach bench top to base. Be careful to not overdrive screws into floor if assembling in a finished room.
Attach entire bench to studs in wall.