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This bench is sized to stretch nearly wall to wall while using just one sheet of plywood, ripped into three 15-3/4"-wide strips that supply every structural part — top, dividers, and shelves. Drill pocket holes along the top edge of the dividers first and attach them to the underside of the top, using the 1x2 trim or shelf pieces cut to length as temporary spacers to keep divider placement even without measuring each one individually.
The 1x2 trim glued and nailed to the underside of the top comes next, followed by the shelf boards — each one also pocket-holed and spaced with scrap cutoffs rather than a tape measure for every single piece, which is faster and keeps spacing consistent bay to bay.
The back panel does double duty structurally, attached with glue to every fixed shelf and divider rather than just the outer frame — this is what keeps a bench this long from racking under a sitter's weight at one end. Base moulding and cove trim finish the piece last, giving a plain plywood box the look of true built-in millwork despite being a genuinely freestanding, single-sheet build.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 3/4" plywood, ripped to 15-3/4" strips, full sheet (AC or better, hardwood, or MDF) | 1 each |
| 1x2, 8 ft | 1 each |
| Base moulding, 3-1/4 in, 8 ft | 1 each |
| Cove moulding, 3/4 in, 8 ft | 1 each |
| 1/4" plywood or hardboard, panel for back | 1 each |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 60 each |
| Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4" | 80 each |
| Wood glue | 5 oz |
| Primer and paint, or stain and poly | 1 set |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Top3/4" plywood, ripped to 15-3/4" strips, full sheet (AC or better, hardwood, or MDF) | 1 | 3/4" × 15 3/4" × 95 1/4" |
| Dividers3/4" plywood, ripped to 15-3/4" strips, full sheet (AC or better, hardwood, or MDF) | 4 | 3/4" × 15 3/4" × 15 1/2" |
| Top support trim1x2, 8 ft | 3 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 30 3/4" |
| Shelves3/4" plywood, ripped to 15-3/4" strips, full sheet (AC or better, hardwood, or MDF) | 3 | 3/4" × 15 3/4" × 30 3/4" |
| Back panel1/4" plywood or hardboard, panel for back | 1 | 1/4" × 95 1/4" × 16 1/4" |
| Base moulding trimBase moulding, 3-1/4 in, 8 ft | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/4" × 95 1/4" |
| Top cove trimCove moulding, 3/4 in, 8 ft | 1 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 95 1/4" |
Some parts are longer than a 8 ft board, so there is no honest board count to show here. Open the board plan to pick a longer stock length — it names every part that does not fit.
2 boards
0 boards
1 board
0 boards
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 →
Drill three 3/4" pocket holes along the top edge of each divider. Attach to the underside of the top with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and glue, using cut-to-length spacers to guide placement.
Glue and nail the 1x2 trim to the underside of the top with 1-1/4" brad nails.
Drill 3/4" pocket holes on both ends of each shelf board, three per end. Attach with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and glue, using cut-to-length spacers to guide placement.
Attach the back panel with glue and 3/4" nails or staples, fastening to all fixed shelves and dividers.
Attach the base moulding and top cove moulding to the front with brad nails and wood glue.
Sand all surfaces and apply primer and paint, or stain and poly.
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