Awesome! I want to make a few of these to corral the kids' toys! Is a finish nailer essential? Because I have NO tools... besides my cordless drill, hammer, etc.

Hi Christine, you could screw it together, nails are just easier and easier to hide. Make sure you predrill and countersink your screws.

So - if I did want it bench-height, do I need to modify your plans?

YAY for modern...thanks!!

To get bench height, simply use caster wheels with an overall height close to 2"

Eeek! This is the one I've been waiting for! Can't wait to see the plans for the big cubbie, too! Thanks, Ana, you rock!

I love this! I can't think of a single place for it in my home, and yet...

I am so excited to get building... just found your site a few days ago. What a wonderful gift you have! Not just for creating... but for teaching!!!

I am wondering about using a 'brad' nailer for some of the products? Is that not deep enough? Or does it work?

This is awesome. I've been in love with square cubbies for a long time, and I love to seem them used everywhere.

One note: the West Elm photo shows a fifth caster in the middle of the bench (I think it's just centered from front to back and side to side). So, you might want to include that, as there's not much diagonal bracing, and we don't want sagging benches!

Hi

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PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A SPAM OR AUTOMATED EMAIL, IT'S ONLY A REQUEST FOR A LINK EXCHANGE. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS HAS NOT BEEN ADDED TO ANY LISTS, AND YOU WILL NOT BE CONTACTED AGAIN.IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T CONTACT YOU AGAIN, PLEASE FILL IN THE FOLLOWING FORM: HTTP://WWW.NOMOREMAILS.COM; OR WRITE AN EMAIL TO STOP@NOMOREMAILS.COM.PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES FOR CONTACTING YOU.

I'm very new to woodworking, and I realize that using screws will make it stronger, but I'm curious as to how sturdy this will be with nails. I'm NOT questioning the general integrity of it, but I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old who are all over everything. Would it stand up to that?

Ana,you have done it again! Another fabulous project! http:www.extremepersonalmeasuresmcom

Thank you so much for showing some more modern furniture.

Hi Annalea, thanks for noticing the extra wheel! If you are planning on using alot of weight, the wheel is a great idea.

As far as nails go, I've used nails for quite a few pieces. Screws are defintely stronger. But this piece has a frame on both sides. The frame reinfoces everything, so it's completely different than just nailing two boards together.

However, if you have kids and this could actually become a manned vechicle around your kitchen island, you may wish to screw the box together. My favorite way to build is to screw the box together and then add the trim with finish nails. That way you get the strength of screws where it counts, but the hidden nails on the frame.

LOVE this Ana! Thank you for tiptoeing into the modern style world. =)

I am so excited to see this post. I can't wait for the bigger one! It is so going in my craft room! I am going to make 2 of the small one, one for each of my sons! You rock!

livelaughscrap88 at gmail dot com

Love this! I bought this from IKEA about a year ago and I am kicking myself now! Can't wait for the big one!

Oh yay MODERN plans! Thank you thank you!

This is the kind of stuff I adore! I was hoping one day you would do some cubbies! I can't wait for spring so I can have the room to make these! I am looking forward to the plans for the bigger ones too!

Hi Ana,
Long time woodworker here and I just came across your site. It's awesome!
I was wondering if you could post plans for the larger cubbie unit?

thanks,

Hank

OOOO!! I'm waiting for the bigger one and then I'm going to try to make this!! Can't wait!!

I Love these more modern cubies. Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to try making some myself!

omg, love at first site visit! I've been wanting just such a pair of versatile benches and this looks like a perfect starter project. thanks for starting such an awesome, femme friendly DIY blog!

Hi Ana! Would it be easy to simply add 2" feet rather than casters? I am thinking of doing this design (http://images.landofnod.com/is/image/LandOfNod/5004022%5FCubeCollection…$) from Land of Nod for my youngest's bedroom. I think your rolling bookcase plans would be easy to adapt.

I want to do the cubby bench in the middle (under her window) and then put DOUBLE-wide, tall cubby bookcases on each side of her window. But I definitely don't want any of the pieces to roll........... :)

Thoughts?

Hi Ana, Love the blog! Like you, I love farmhouse style. I love the simplicity of this cubby, but it doesn't have the exact look I like. What do you think about adding colonial moulding or something around the edges to give it more of a farmhouse look? Would it be too much?

Jennifer, it would be very easy to do what you are talking about. Just trim the top out first, then extend the side trim down as far as you would like, then trim the bottom and cubbies out.

Jess, if you would like to add base mouldings, do what Jennifer above is doing. You should be able to easily add standard 3 1/4" moulding to the bottom edge and the sides. Actually have the DIY mag, and they do something very similar to this with the IKEA (TM) stuff.

Ana

Oh my! I cannot even tell you how happy I am to have happened upon your site! You do truly amazing work. I actually found you while doing a google search for "how to build a bench". My parents are going away for a week and I am planning on redecorating (or rather decorating for the first time) their entryway. I REALLY wanted a bench for under their window with some storage and this is absolutely perfect. Will certainly send some photos once it's finished. Thanks!

OH MY GOSH! thank you so much for these I just got the catalog and was Drooling over these, although they looked simple in the catalog, I would have never thought to attempt them without plans, and getting anything similar even here in anchorage is impossible.! Cant wait to try these thank you again! Love your blog!

Ana: I made this as my first project and my family(and husband) was so impressed. I painted mine glossy black and I am using it as a bench next to our indoor artificial ice rink. I put rubber floor tiles in the bottom of each cubby so that skates could be stored inside. It's the perfect spot to sit while putting on skates. Before I built this, my husband had a folding, ripped plastic lawn chair. :)
I did predrill holes for my nails and left off the casters. I had my big blue store cut the wood for me and it honestly took longer waiting for the wood than it did to put it together!
Thanks so much!!

LOVELY! I was wondering if you have plans for the same thing w/ 9 cubbies?

Where did you get/How did you make the cushion? This is my first project and so far it's great!

Check out Mike's rolling cubbies!

Hi, can't wait to make my first knock off wood project, but which ONE to pick?! Would this rolling cart need to have the cubby dividers underneath? Could it be left open? I'd like to make this for my laundry room and store 2 rectangular baskets underneath and 2 round baskets on top. Just want to make sure it would be sturdy enough. Thanks!! Love all of your plans!! They're great!

I was wondering if it would be possible to build this with 4 cubes, a bit wider? If so, could you please send me the new dimensions and cut list?

Thanks so much for the wonderful site-I can't wait to get started!!!

[...] Project #10: Rolling Cubbies [...]

[...] love the lockers and cubbies set up in the picture below. Ana White provides bench with cubbies  here And the locker with cubes plan is here Both furniture pieces are were inspired by West Elm Read [...]

[...] Cubbies and Locker Bench Plans via Better Homes and Gardens I could really use this storage bench on rollers in an area where we enter into our home. This is a great way to store shoes, etc out of the way! I also love the lockers and cubbies set up in the picture below. Ana White has the plans for this bench with cubbies go  here [...]

Hi Ana

Your designs offer really great solutions that leave me wanting to try them all! What is the recommended paint finish? Is there a special type that should be used so I can avoid a tacky or sticky surface?

Thanks again for all of your great designs and inspiritation.

[...] hooks & a storage ottoman. We’re  also considering building a rolling storage unit using Ana White’s instructions. I love the look of this unit with the storage for mittens & scarves, [...]

I love it, I am going to make this for my sons room!

This webpage was added to my bookmarks. I can not wait to learn more about this subject.

Hi Ana, I love your website!! I am looking to build a 5 space cubby bench. I really like the expedit bookcase by IKEA laid on it's side to make a cubby bench so that is what I am trying to do. Your cubby bench is perfection! Can I just double your measurements for a 5 cubby bench and add 2" to the height since I won't be using wheels? Also what kind of wood do I buy? And what is the measurement of each cubby?

Does anyone know the interior dimensions once completed? i would like to know if the baskets i have will fit

Would this be sturdy enough for a couple of people to sit on?