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Farmhouse Storage Bench
This farmhouse storage bench is a great addition under a window or in your entryway.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 2.8–5.3 hours
- Cost
- $$$
Cut list
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 4 | 1" × 3" × 17" | — | ☐ |
| Stretchers | 4 | 1" × 3" × 9" | — | ☐ |
| Long stretcher | 1 | 1" × 3" × 43" | — | ☐ |
| Top aprons | 2 | 3/4" × 3" × 43" | — | ☐ |
| Plywood bottom | 1 | 1/2" × 14" × 43" | — | ☐ |
| Breadboard ends | 2 | 3/4" × 3" × 16" | — | ☐ |
| 1x8 boards for seat | 2 | 3/4" × 6" × 41" | — | ☐ |
| 1x4 board for seat | 1 | 3/4" × 3" × 41" | — | ☐ |
Materials
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Board, 2x4 96" | 2 board | ☐ |
| Board, 1x4 96" | 2 board | ☐ |
| Board, 1x8 72" | 2 board | ☐ |
| Plywood, 1/2" Thick Quarter Sheet | 1 board | ☐ |
| 2 1/2" pocket screws | 20 each | ☐ |
| 1 1/4" pocket screws | 30 each | ☐ |
| 2 1/2" middle hinges (1 package) | 2 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 1 each | ☐ |
| 220 grit sandpaper | 1 each | ☐ |
| Paint or stain | 1 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools
- Drill / Driver
- Impact Driver
- Miter Saw
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Random Orbit Sander
- Table Saw
- Bar / Pipe Clamps — optional
- Combination Square — optional
- Tape Measure — optional
Instructions
1. Assemble the legs
Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes into the four stretchers for each side of the bench. Attach with wood glue and 2 1/2" pocket screws.
2. Attach the lower stretcher
Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes into the lower 2x4 stretcher. Center it between the legs and attach with wood glue and 2 1/2" pocket screws.
3. Add the aprons
Attach the 1x4 aprons to the front and back edges of the legs, flush with the top. Drill 3/4" pocket holes into each end and attach with wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket screws.
4. Attach the plywood bottom
Drill 1/2" pocket holes into the 1/2 plywood that will make up the storage compartment bottom. Attach flush with the bottom edge of the 1x4 and 2x4 frame pieces with 1" pocket screws.
5. Build the bench seat
- Use a table saw or the adaptive cutting system to rip two 1x8 boards down to 6 5/8" widths.
- Cut to size and drill 3/4" pocket holes into the three long boards as well as the breadboard ends.
- Attach together with wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket screws.
6. Sand and finish
Sand the entire project down to 220 grit with an orbital sander or by hand. Finish as desired with paint or stain.
7. Attach the bench seat
Using 2 1/2" middle hinges, attach the bench seat to the base. Mark the location of the hinges and trace the outside edges with a pencil into the top of the base. Using a chisel and mallet, make a mortise into the wood deep enough for the hinges to fit into and the bench seat to sit flush with the top of the base (approx 1/8").
