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The open space under a mudroom bench is prime storage, and this is the simplest way to claim it: casters instead of drawer slides. A shallow box on wheels rolls straight out from under the bench, which means no fussy slide alignment and no weight limit beyond what the casters carry. It's a great beginner build and endlessly adaptable to whatever bench you already have.
Everything is custom to your bench, so measure the opening first and plan for one or two drawers — the source specifically recommends avoiding a middle drawer, because with one or two drawers each can follow the bench legs and roll cleanly, while a middle drawer has nothing to track against. Build the box from 1x8s (or 1x6 or plywood), add a plywood bottom, and for heavier loads step the bottom up to 1/2" or 3/4" and consider a fifth center caster for support.
The drawer face is what makes it look built-in rather than like a bin shoved under a bench: build it from 1x3 and 1/2" plywood to overhang the box, and attach it after the drawer rolls right, with a small gap so it clears the bench frame. Add handles and finish to match the bench.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x8 board, 8 ftDrawer box. 1x6 or 3/4" plywood also works. | 2 each |
| 1/4" plywoodDrawer bottom; 1/2" or 3/4" for heavy loads. | 1 each |
| 1x3 board, 8 ftDrawer face frame. | 1 each |
| 1/2" plywood, drawer face panel | 1 each |
| Caster wheels, 1"Add a 5th center caster for especially heavy loads. | 4 each |
| Handles or knobs | 2 each |
| Pocket-hole screws and nails, 1-1/4" | 40 each |
| Wood glue | 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Drawer box sides1x8Depth = your bench depth; example shown. | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 20" |
| Drawer box front/back1x8Width to fit the bench opening, minus clearance. | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 18" |
| Drawer bottom1/4" plywood | 1 | 1/4" × 18" × 20" |
| Drawer face1/2" plywoodSized to overhang the box and cover the opening. | 1 | 1/2" × 8" × 20" |
Buy 3 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
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 →
Measure the space under the bench and decide on one or two drawers — avoid a middle drawer, so each drawer can follow the bench legs and roll straight. Figure your drawer size from the opening, leaving clearance to roll.
Build a box from 1x boards — pocket holes, countersunk screws, or nails and glue all work. Keep it square so it rolls true.
Add the plywood bottom with nails and glue. For larger drawers step up to 1/2" or 3/4" plywood, and for especially heavy loads plan on a fifth center caster.
Screw casters to the base of the drawer and roll it under the bench to check the fit. Build the 1x3-and-1/2"-plywood face to overhang the box, attach it once the drawer rolls right (leaving a small gap so it clears the bench frame), and add handles. Finish to match the bench.
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