In Robin’s room, this bench is built-in between two bookcases but you could build this plan as a stand along storage bench. Robin’s bench sat over an air vent so they had to direct the air flow out through the toe kick. You can read Robin’s Sawdust Diaries here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 and the Reveal.
This is the first of three free woodworking plans in the Robin Collection. There are two additional plans in this collection:
Built-in Window Seat Bench
Materials:
- 1/4″ backer material (beadboard, plywood or masonite)
- 1 3/4″ wood screws
- wood glue
- Kreg jig and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
- 1×2 and 1×3 poplar for faceframe
- 2 sheets 3/4″ plywood cut as shown below
Step1: Attach Sides and Dividers
- Drive wood screws up through bottom into sides and dividers.
- Make sure they countersink
Step2: Attach Top
- Sides of top should extend 3/4″ on sides and 1/4″ on back.
Step 3: Attach Back Cleats
- Use pocket hole screws to attach flush with back of sides and dividers
Step 4: Attach Sides
- Sides should be flush on front to dividers and extend 1/4″ on back.
- Use wood glue and brad nails to secure.
Step 5: Build and Attach Faceframe
- Faceframe is built of 1×2 except for the bottom plate which is 1×4.
- Refer to Faceframe tutorial for help with this step
Step 6: Build and Attach Base
- Build base out of 3/4″ plywood strips.
- Use scrap of wood to space all dividers evenly.
- Attach to bench by driving screws through sides of base into sides of bench
Step 7: Attach Back
- Back should sit into recess created by sides and top.
- Secure with nails or staples
Finish and enjoy!
Get the other two free plans in the “Robin Collection” built-ins here:
Read Robin’s Sawdust Diaries here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 and the Reveal.
And refer to all my Cabinet Making 101 posts for lots of tips, tricks and techniques to build your own awesome built-ins!
kim massa says
this is exactly the bench my daughter wants me to build for their entry, of course, first I have to finish my own project which isn’t happening. I have no heat or insulation in my shop and it has been less than 20 degrees for weeks now. Rather depressing but this can’t last forever, right?
Kathy says
Thank you for these plans. Please, pretty please, can you post plans for the bookshelves that surround it? Please? Sugar on top?
Lori Ann says
I really love this I have been looking for windows seat plans theses are great, could you put drawers in the cubbies or doors?
Lori Ann
Joshua Carden says
Hi, great plan! I’m adopting it to make a music cabinet. Can I double check the length of screws that you used? The materials list says 1 3/4”, but that seems awfully long to screw up through the bottom to the sides and dividers. Is that the correct length?
Sandra says
1 3/4″ is my standard screw length when building with 3/4″ plywood. You want enough screw in the material to pull the two pieces together. Just make sure you hold your driver straight.
Amanda Acord says
Would you be able yo be more specific about the type of wood screw, where i can find them, and how may you used.
Also how much wood glue did you use and could you tell me where i could order that as well.
Thank you. 🙂
Rachel says
Hi! I’m very excited to make this for my living room and adding storage for our family.
I have read and studied the notes. My one question is how did you cut the groove out for the bottom of the face frame ?
Sandra says
I”m not sure what you mean. The faceframe is attached to the front of the cabinet.