
Build your own entryway bench in a custom size. This tutorial will walk you through the steps, with a video of the build, step by step diagrams, and even a free configurator to help you design your own!
This entryway bench is a classic design, turning any entry into a mudroom! Matching wall organizer plan coming soon.
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Preparation
- Plywood Pieces for Carcass (see step 1)
- 1x3s for bay supports and trim, you'll need approximately 5 times the overall width of the bench
- 1-1/4" pocket hole screws
- 1-1/4" brad nails
- wood glue
- Primer and paint or stain for finishing
Carcass cuts are determined through the configuration from Shelf Help.
Bay supports are equal to the width of your bays.
Top and bottom trim should be cut to fit for a perfect trimout.
Instructions
Step 1
Design Your Bench
Use our free configurator tool here to design your bench carcass, here are the parameters to set:
- Depth - recommend 15-1/4" depth, but can use 20-1/4" and 23-1/4" too
- Width - any width up to 90"
- Height - recommend 18"
- Bays - as many bays as desired, but keep bay width less than 36" as it is supportive of the top and will keep the top from sagging
- Top - yes
- Bottom - yes
- Space Under Bottom - 2-1/4" for 1x3 base trim (as I did) or 3-1/4" for 1x4 base trim
You can order the plywood pieces direct from Shelf Help (my cutting service) or you can download the drawings and cut the plywood pieces yourself. You will need to edge band the front edges if you cut your own plywood.
Step 2
Step 3
Main Carcass Assembly
On the bottom shelf, drill three 3/4" pocket holes at each end (four if you went with a 23-1/4" wide carcass).
Attach bottom shelf to the two sides, with 2-1/4" gap underneath, using 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.
Then attach dividers to bottom shelf using 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue. TIP: Use the bay supports as spacers to guide you in placing the dividers as shown in the video.
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 9
Then I used a leaf blower to blow off the sanding residue and wiped with a just damp washcloth.
Then I primed using a small roller and brush.
Comments
VWalsh
Wed, 08/25/2021 - 10:41
Adrian's bench
Adrian's bench
kishoremsk
Tue, 12/27/2022 - 19:00
Sag in the middle?
Nice simple design. I am new to wood working and like the simple designs here. For this bench, wouldn't all the weight fall on the two side end pieces? I am planning a 48" wide bench but worried it would sag in the middle? Any thoughts.
kishoremsk
Tue, 12/27/2022 - 19:00
Sag in the middle?
Nice simple design. I am new to wood working and like the simple designs here. For this bench, wouldn't all the weight fall on the two side end pieces? I am planning a 48" wide bench but worried it would sag in the middle? Any thoughts.