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Two storage zones live in this bench: a hinged-lid box on top for anything you'd rather keep out of sight, and an open cubby underneath, divided down the middle, for baskets or shoes you want within easy reach. Building it from a single sheet of plywood keeps material cost and waste low — plan your cuts before touching the saw, or have the sheet cut into two 4'x4' pieces at the store to make the individual cuts more manageable at home.
Get the lid overhang right: the plan's first pass at the lid width didn't leave any room to actually lift it, which is a mistake worth calling out because it's an easy one to repeat. Size the lid slightly wider than the box opening — a 1/4" to 1/2" overhang all around — so there's something to grip when you open it.
Check the box for square right after the back panel goes on, before the front and divider are permanently attached; it's your last easy chance to correct a racked box, and a bench that isn't square will bind against the hinged lid every time it closes.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 3/4" plywood, 4x8 sheetPlan is sized for plywood that measures a true 3/4". | 1 each |
| Pine, 2x2, 6 ft | 1 each |
| Pine, 1x3, 8 ft | 1 each |
| Lid hinges, pair | 1 pair |
| Finish nails, 2" | 1 box |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 6 oz |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Side panels3/4" plywood | 2 | 3/4" × 13 1/2" × 16" |
| Side leg blockingPine 2x2 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 18" |
| Side trimPine 1x3 | 4 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 13 1/2" |
| Back panel3/4" plywood | 1 | 3/4" × 16" × 41 1/2" |
| Bottom and shelf3/4" plywood | 2 | 3/4" × 16 1/4" × 41 1/2" |
| Front panel3/4" plywood | 1 | 3/4" × 7 3/4" × 41 1/2" |
| Divider3/4" plywood | 1 | 3/4" × 6 3/4" × 16 1/4" |
| Lid frame edgePine 1x3Measure to fit — cut last. | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 45" |
| Lid panel3/4" plywoodSlightly oversize the box opening (about 1/4"–1/2" overhang) so there's something to grip when lifting. | 1 | 3/4" × 15" × 45" |
Buy 9 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
1 board
1 board
1 board
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1 board
2 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 all the plywood pieces from the sheet according to the cut list. Getting the sheet cut into two smaller pieces at the store first makes the individual cuts more manageable if you're working without a table saw or track saw.
Assemble each side panel with its 2x2 leg blocking using glue and 2" nails.
Add the 1x3 trim to the top and bottom of each side panel, secured with glue and 1-1/4" finish nails.
Once both sides are complete, attach the back panel with glue and 2" nails, keeping the top edges flush. Check the assembly for square now, while it's still easy to correct — a racked box will bind against the lid later.
Install the bottom shelf panel, then the center divider that splits the lower cubby in two.
Add the front panel. Don't forget to nail up through the underside of the shelf into the front panel, not just through the front into the sides.
Cut and attach the 1x3 lid edge trim, measuring to fit rather than trusting the cut list exactly.
Cut the lid panel with enough overhang beyond the box opening on all sides to actually get a grip when lifting it — about 1/4" to 1/2" is enough. Attach the lid to the back edge with your chosen hinge hardware.
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