NotchLoading plan…
Loading plan…
The frame is nothing exotic: a 2x4 box with four short legs, built and squared with countersunk screws and glue in under an hour. What makes this a banquette instead of a bare bench is the upholstery half — high-density foam cut to the seat and back shapes, wrapped in batting to round the edges and soften the foam's cut lines, then covered in fabric that's stapled to the underside of the seat and the back of the backrest panel.
Build the seat cushion as a simple upholstered box: wrap the foam and batting around the plywood base, pull the fabric tight and staple it to the underside in the classic "pillow-case" method — opposite sides first, then corners, working the fullness out toward the ends rather than tugging it all to one corner. The backrest is simpler still, since it's flat rather than boxed: layer foam and batting on the plywood back panel, wrap the fabric around to the back, and staple. If the backrest doesn't need to be removable, it can simply lean in place against the wall; screw it to a French cleat or a picture-hanging rail only if it needs to stay put through regular use.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Pine, 2x4, 8 ft | 3 each |
| Plywood, 1/2", 4x4 sheetHalf sheet — seat and backrest bases. | 1 each |
| High-density foam, 4" thickSeat cushion. | 4 ft |
| High-density foam, 2" thickBackrest cushion. | 4 ft |
| Upholstery batting, 1/2" thick | 2 yard |
| Home decor fabric, 54" wideAdd extra for directional or patterned prints. | 3 yard |
| Upholstery staples, 3/8" | 1 box |
| Spray adhesive | 1 can |
| Wood screws, 2-1/2" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 3 oz |
| Sewing thread and notions | 1 each |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Frame front/backPine | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 48" |
| Frame ends and center supportPine | 3 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 21" |
| LegsPineStandard seat height is 18" — adjust leg length up or down as needed. | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 14" |
| Seat basePlywood | 1 | 1/2" × 24" × 48" |
| Backrest basePlywood | 1 | 1/2" × 12" × 48" |
Buy 5 boards at 8 ft.
3 boards
1 board
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Build the frame's front, back, and end pieces into a rectangle using countersunk 2-1/2" screws and wood glue.
Attach the legs to the inside corners of the frame, screwing from both sides of each corner. Attaching from both directions is what actually squares up and stiffens the bench — a leg screwed from only one side will rack under weight over time.
Cut the foam and batting to the seat base's dimensions plus enough overhang to wrap around the edges and staple underneath. Layer the batting over the foam, wrap both around the plywood seat base, and pull the fabric over the top last.
Staple the fabric to the underside using the classic upholstery sequence: staple the center of each side first (front, back, then the two ends), then work outward toward the corners in small pulls, easing out fullness as you go rather than tugging it all toward one point. Fold and staple the corners neatly last.
If you want a tailored skirt around the seat cushion rather than a plain wrapped edge, measure the seat's perimeter and cut a fabric band to that length plus seam allowance, matching the seat's height. Sew the ends together to form a loop, then attach it around the base of the cushion before the final fabric layer goes on, so the skirt's top edge tucks under the seat's staple line.
Layer the 2" foam and batting onto the backrest plywood panel, wrap the fabric around to the back, and staple. Keep the corners neat and consistent with the seat cushion so the two pieces read as a matched set.
Set the backrest panel in place against the wall behind the bench. If it stays put on its own weight and doesn't get leaned on hard, it can simply rest there. If it needs to stay fixed through daily use, attach it to the wall with a French cleat or a heavy-duty picture-hanging rail.
No reviews yet
Sign in to review this plan or share your build.
No reviews yet. Be the first to build this.