1. Home
  2. Plan Catalog

Simple Bench

diy wood bench
Error: View not found.
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
| Print this plan

A good place for rolled towels, a good place to sit! This simple spa bench is compact enough to fit in most baths, but adds both storage and seating.

This is a free woodworking plan to build your own wood bench using pine boards.  You can nail or screw this bench together.  This is a beginner friendly project plan.

reader submitted photo

Dimensions
bench dimensions
37" x 18" x 11 1/2"

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 1 – 1×10, 10′ Long
  • 1 – 1×12, 4′ Long
  • 3 - 1×3, 8′ Long
Common Materials
1 1/4 inch finish nails
2 inch finish nails
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Elmer's Wood Filler
120 grit sandpaper
primer
wood conditioner
paint
paint brush
Cut List
  • 2 – 1×10 @ 17 1/4″ (Sides)
  • 2 – 1×10 @ 34 1/2″ (Shelves)
  • 4 – 1×3 @ 17 1/4″ (Legs)
  • 4 – 1×3 @ 31″
  • 1 – 1×12 @ 37″ (Top)
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Hammer
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
General Instructions

Work on a clean level surface. Adhere to necessary safety precautions. Check for square after each step. Measure and cut your trim to fit your piece for the best fit.

Instructions

Step 1

Build the Box. Start by marking the sides 3″ from the bottom. This will be the bottom of the shelves. Fasten the bottom shelf in place, using 2″ nails or screws and glue. Then fasten the top shelf in place.

Step 2

Legs. Fasten the legs to the sides of the bench as shown above, keeping outside edges flush. Make sure you also fasten to the sides and the shelves. The legs reinforce the sides

Step 3

Shelf Trim. Fasten the shelf trim to the shelves, as shown above. You may need to nail at an angle from the bottom corners of the shelf trim into the legs. Use 2″ nails and glue.

Step 4

Top. Mark the sides of the top in 1/4″ and 1/2″ from the ends. Position on top of the bench and fasten in place with 1 1/4″ nails and glue.

Project Type
Coffee Tables
Side and End Table Plans
Bookshelf and Bookcase Plans
Bench
Room
Storage Solutions
Bathroom
Bedroom
Entryway and Mudroom
living room
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

Tricia (not verified)

Mon, 03/15/2010 - 14:58

Hi Ana.
I am really loving the new look of the blog. I especially like the about tab at the bottom of each article.
It turns out that this was a fantastic opportunity for you to make a name for yourself, huh?! ;)
Keep up the amazing work. Your talent is truly an inspiration for those of us with big ideas, but struggle in the blueprint areas.

Pine Tree Home (not verified)

Mon, 03/15/2010 - 16:14

So happy when you say "outdoor". I am saving all these plans for when it gets a little warmer.

Laurie (not verified)

Mon, 03/15/2010 - 20:22

I know EXACTLY what you mean by the "wipe me mom" pleas. We're at that stage right now and it's a lot less work to do it than to take care of what happens next if I don't!

Talia (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 02:28

We are so glad to see you back!!! My fiance and I are addicted to your blog and check it daily (okay, really a few times a day between the two of us). When you didn't post, we fretted, sorry you were ill, take another day or two and really get back on your feet!!!!

(We are going to build the Grace's Town Grocery and Library for our soon-to-be 3 year old's birthday gift!)

Thanks for all you do!!

Talia & Tim

Rebecca (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 03:54

Ana,
This is perfect for my Florida room to use as storage. Do you have an estimate of how much it would cost to make, with basic wood? I'll probably make about 10 of these if they are cost effective enough.

THanks,
Rebecca

taradactel

Mon, 04/15/2013 - 06:19

Hey Rebecca,
Assuming that you already have all the tools, nails, glue, etc...
I just bought my wood last night at Home depot and it cost about $25. You will have a bit left over here and there so the cost would go down per bench if you are making multiples.

Kate (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 04:42

Gorgeous bench! How's the finish done in the photos? I love it and will copy it if I can.

rebeccaV (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 06:36

Hi Ana! I just found your blog and I LOVE IT!! I'm totally going to buy myself a saw and make some stuff! I want to put your button on my blog, but I can't get it to copy. I tried to type it all in, which worked for the image but it didn't link to your blog. Any ideas?

Roxanna (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 08:14

I just found your blog and I think you are my muse. Its been a long time since I have been this excited about a blog :)

Kim (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 12:51

I've been looking for just the right bench for so long...and here it is! I love this and I need one of these in my house right now. Thanks for this plan!

INSANITY ENJOYED (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 15:55

Oh no, another thing I want to build lol. I am happy to say that I bought the wood for my first project! Im going to build the entryway storage bench. I'm very excited and will definitely send pics of the results your way :) Although I am wishing I had more than just a hammer for all the nails lol.

Emily (not verified)

Tue, 03/16/2010 - 17:59

Hello :)

I am totally new to this world of DIY blogging and crafy-ness...this site is amazing, and so inspiring. I will definitely be trying a few of these things this summer (I'm a college student) to have in my dorm room next year. I will definitely be a regular visitor from now on.

Rami, Danielle… (not verified)

Thu, 03/18/2010 - 02:36

This is going to be my first project. I love it! I am finally getting a home gym together and this is the perfect resting bench! Thank you and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Cassie (not verified)

Sun, 03/21/2010 - 19:55

My husband and I fell in love with your blog about a month ago. We've just gotten around to our first project this weekend and this is it! We got the bench built today in about an hour and I'll be staining it tomorrow. Can't wait to share it!

mwoolfenden (not verified)

Tue, 04/13/2010 - 05:18

I need this! i think i will tweek it so that it is longer and has a cushion on top so that my family cna sit and take off their shoes and store then under! my pretty wood floors(that i have to finish first) thank you!!

stephaniegiese (not verified)

Mon, 06/14/2010 - 02:29

Hi Ana!

I stumbled across your blog last week and I am ADDICTED!I'm so excited to take up this new hobby!!! I convinced hubby that it would be a great "date night" activity that we could do from home once the kids are asleep. We went to HD yesterday and bought our wood for less than $45 (maybe it would have been cheaper at a lumber yard, but we had two kids under 3 with us and Home Depot seemed like an easier trip.)We plan to start tomorrow, I'm excited to learn how to actually use all of "his" tools that have been in our garage for years. You are such an inspiration for Girl Power!

Cami Koralewski (not verified)

Wed, 08/11/2010 - 11:57

This was a great first project for someone who has never ever done anything like this before! Thank you! Right when we finished the bench, we started a table and just finished it. Now we are building a new kitchen table! THANKS, ANA!

SariBelle (not verified)

Sun, 12/05/2010 - 19:47

Hi Ana,

Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and showing us we all have the ability to build!

I've just recently moved to a new house and we didn't have enough storage in our bathroom so I got motivated to build this spa shelf with a few modifications. I wasn't sure how to upload a photo here but I've put a photo on my blog

Thanks Ana!

Rochelle11

Tue, 10/04/2011 - 20:52

If I wanted to inclose it by adding a front and back panel with the front panel opening down, what do you suggest? Just thought it could be a storage type bench opening from the front. Any suggestions would help! Thanks for everything...this is the BEST website ever!

amycourts

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 18:56

Hey!

So this is hopefully gonna be my first project - anyone have suggestions for how to add a storage portion to the top, for a piano bench? And how to attach the hinges, etc? Slight modifications but I'd LOVE to use this easy plan!

owlduchess

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 12:09

Are there more specific instructions for this somewhere? I don't understand which joints to use the Kreg jig on. Thank you!

gpjwhite

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 17:18

Would this bench be strong enough to sit on? My friend asked me to make her one for her screened porch to sit plants on but also use as a bench seat when needed.

Sl8er

Fri, 07/31/2015 - 10:40

Hi,

I am looking to make this bench out of pallet wood. Also, I have to make this a lot smaller so it can fit in my entryway as a bench. My dimensions are 24lx18w. Any suggestions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!