The Robin Collection – Storage Bench

In Robin’s playroom, this bench is built-in between two bookcases but you could definitely build this plan as a stand alone storage bench.  Robin’s bench sat over an air vent so they had to direct the air flow out through the toe kick.  

Built-in window seat plans

This is the first of three built-in project plans in the Robin Collection

Built-in Window Seat Bench

Built-in Window Seat Bench - free woodworking plans

Materials:

  • 1/4″ backer material (beadboard, plywood or hardboard)
  • 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
Built-in Window Seat Bench -- free plans from Sawdust Girl.
Built-in Window Seat Bench -- free plans from Sawdust Girl.

Step1:  Attach Sides and Dividers

Drive wood screws up through bottom into sides and dividers. Make sure they countersink – you don’t want them protruding.

diy window seat bench woodworking plans

Step2:  Attach Top

Sides of top should extend 3/4″ on sides and 1/4″ on back.

build a window seat bench

Step 3:  Attach Back Cleats

Use pocket hole screws to attach flush with back of sides and dividers

Built-in Window Seat Bench -- free plans from Sawdust Girl.

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.
How to build a built-in window seat bench

Step 5:  Build and Attach Faceframe

  • Faceframe is built of 1×2 except for the bottom plate which is 1×4 so you can create the shaped element in the toekick.
  • Refer to Faceframe tutorial for help with this step
window seat faceframe

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
window seat bench with base for air vent

Built-in Window Seat Bench -- free plans from Sawdust Girl.

Step 7:  Attach Back

  • Back should sit into recess created by sides and top.
  • Secure with nails or staples
Built-in Window Seat Bench -- free plans from Sawdust Girl.

Step 8: Finish and enjoy!

DIY Window Seat

Get the other plans in the “Robin Collection” and read Robin’s Sawdust Diaries 

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8 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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?

  3. 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

  4. Thank you for these plans. Please, pretty please, can you post plans for the bookshelves that surround it? Please? Sugar on top?

  5. 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?

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