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Mudroom Update - The Bench


I always envisioned having a little bench to sit on before taking my shoes off and getting inside the house. It took me a while to create that plan, but it's finally here! 

The building process for this bench is surprisingly easy and economical.

With all the cabinets already in place—a shoe cabinet, cubbies, and a corner cabinet—it was about time to give this little build a go!

I used 3/4" plywood for the legs and top base, 1 x 2 pine for the front of the legs, and a 1x3 apron.
The benchtop was made of poplar. I bought a 1 x 10 x 10 board cut to size.


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Here's the cutting list for this bench:

1 - 3/4" plywood @ 14" x 42" (benchtop base)
1 - 1 x 9 1/4" x 42" poplar (benchtop)
1 - 1 x 5 1/2" x 42" mitered alongside (bench top)
1 - 1 x 1 1/2" x 42" mitered alongside (bench top - front)
3 - 3/4" plywood @ 14" x 16 1/2" height (legs)
3 - 1 x 2 pine @ 14" ( front of legs)
1 - 1 x 3 pine @ 42" (bench apron)

Tools & other materials you'll need:
  • Drill
  •  Brad Nailer with  1 1/2 brad nails
  • 3 - 2 1/2" screws
  • 3 - 1 1/4" wood screws
  • wood glue
  • a wood stain of your choice/paint & primer


Directions

1. INSTALL THE LEGS

Given that I had an enclosed area for this bench, both exterior legs were secured first to the studs on the wall using 2 1/2" screws and then to the cabinet using 1 1/4" wood screws.



Find the center of the benchtop plywood piece and attach the remaining leg there, using 1 1/4" wood screws.

Bring that base/center leg and install it, driving 1 1/2" brad nails from the top to the bottom legs on both sides.
Cristina garay using Ryobi nailer

2. INSTALL THE FACE FRAME

Center the 1 x 2 on the front of the legs and set it in place with brad nails. Install the apron above.


3. CUT AND INSTALL THE BENCHTOP

I used a 1 x 10 x 10' poplar board for the benchtop. Both small front boards were mitered to give it the illusion of a single chunky board.


Before installing it, I gave it a Varathane white-wash wood stain coat.
how to build a bench for mudroom

It was secured to the plywood base with 1 1/2" brad nails.

I added a mini board-and-batten wall using 1 x 4 pine boards.

installing board and batten

I used a sawdust and wood glue mix to cover the nail holes and gaps.
how to cover nail holes on stained poplar

I was still deciding about adding shiplap here. Ultimately, I gave up and used it to eliminate the leftover 1/4" ply I've had for years!

The tedious part of this entire mudroom project has been patching, sanding, and painting.

Good thing Kilz primers are always an excellent base for a well-done painting job.


This is how it looked at the end of the day. 😍

how to build and install a little bench in a mudroom

 Here, looking the other way.
how to build a bench for the mudroom

The next part is building and installing the doors and making that empty wall on the right look like a cabinet.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Here are all the projects that were tackled during this mudroom build:


The mudroom plan


DIY - Garage platform


How to frame a mudroom in the garage


How to build an indoor staircase


How to install slate tile














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1 comment :

  1. It is looking so good Cristina, love the mitered detail and natural color of the bench!

    ReplyDelete
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