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This is the perfect project for the pile of 1x4 offcuts every shop accumulates — the seat is nine short slats, so odd lengths become a feature rather than waste. It's sized to sit at the end of a bed or in an entryway: a two-sided base with shaped 1x12 legs, a lower shelf, and a slatted top.
The only shaped work is cutting the leg profile out of the 1x12s with a jigsaw. Cut both identical — trace one onto the other or use the first as a template — so the bench sits level. Everything else is butt joints held with pocket screws or self-tapping screws.
The angled side aprons (45° ends, not parallel) tie the two leg panels together and set the seat width. Build the base square, then nail the slats down across the top with a small consistent gap. Because it's simple and cheap, it's a great candidate for a bolder paint or a mix of stained scrap slats for a reclaimed look.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x12, 6 ftShaped legs and lower shelf. | 1 each |
| 1x4, 8 ftSide aprons and top slats — scrap 1x4 works great for the slats. | 2 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4", or self-tapping screws, 2" | 1 box |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 4 oz |
| Wood filler and finish | 1 kit |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Legs1x12Cut the shaped leg profile with a jigsaw; make both identical. | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 17 1/4" |
| Lower shelf / seat support1x12 | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 21 1/2" |
| Side aprons1x4Both ends cut at 45° off square, not parallel. | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 30" |
| Top slats1x4 | 9 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 14 1/4" |
Buy 4 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
3 boards
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 →
Cut the shaped leg profile out of the 1x12s with a jigsaw as shown in the diagram. Cut both identical — trace the first onto the second — so the bench sits level.
Attach the bottom shelf between the two shaped legs to join them into a base. Keep it square.
Attach the side aprons (45° ends, not parallel) to the leg panels. These tie the base together and set the seat width.
Nail the nine top slats across the aprons with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue, spacing them with a small consistent gap. Mixing lengths of scrap is fine — the slats hide the joints. Fill, sand, and finish.
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