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Storage Bench Plans
A bench for the hall or the mudroom: sit down to put your shoes on, and keep them in the cubbies underneath. The seat rests on the sides and on every divider, so it stays stiff, and the bottom stands on a plinth so you can clean under the front. The storage is built in: the cubbies are part of the frame.
- Default size
- 1200 × 460 × 400 mm
- Parts
- 8 pieces · 6 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 1 carcass + 1 back
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Build time
- About 4 hours
- Edge band
- 6 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat · grain | 1 | 1200 | 400 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Side | 2 | 442 | 380 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Bottom | 1 | 1164 | 380 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
3 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- The seat overhangs the cubbies by 20 mm at the front and rests on the sides and every divider.
- Dividers sit on the bottom and are screwed through the seat and the bottom.
- The plinth is set back 20 mm so you can sweep along the front.
Common mistakes
- Making the cubbies too wide: the seat bends between supports when someone sits on it.
- Forgetting the back on an open bench: without it the bench racks sideways.
Tools you need
- Track saw or table saw
- Drill/driver
- Edge banding iron
- Sander
Frequently asked questions
What height should a bench be?
Seat height 430–480 mm (17–19 in), the same as a dining chair.
How deep should a mudroom bench be?
350–450 mm (14–18 in): deep enough to sit on and to hold shoes, shallow enough not to block a hallway.
How wide should the cubbies be?
About 300–400 mm (12–16 in) for a pair of adult shoes or a basket. The plan warns when a cubby leaves the seat too long between supports.
Can I add a second row of cubbies?
Yes: set the shelf to 1 and each cubby gets a shelf in the middle, for children’s shoes or slippers.
Related guides
Bench HeightStandard bench seat height is 17–19 in (43–48 cm). See heights and depths for entryway, mudroom, dining, window and garden benches, and the room each seat needs.How to Build a BenchHow to build a bench from wood or plywood: seat height and depth, a simple box bench, and a storage bench with cubbies or a lift-up lid.
