Mudroom Update - The Bench - Remodelando la Casa

I always envisioned having a little bench where to sit to take my shoes off before getting inside the house. Ha, 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... shoe cabinet, cubbies, and 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 that was 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 along side (bench top)
1 - 1 x 1 1/2" x 42" mitered along side (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 secure 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.

2. INSTALL THE FACE FRAME

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

3. CUT AND INSTALL THE BENCHTOP

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

Before installing it I gave it a coat of Varathane white wash wood stain.

It was secured to the plywood base with 1 1/2" brad nails.
I then went ahead and added a mini-board and batten wall with 1 x 4 pine boards.

Oh, 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 undecided about adding shiplap here. In the end, I gave up and used it to get rid of the leftover 1/4" ply I've had for years!

The tedious part of this entire mudroom project has been the patching, sanding, and painting.
Good thing Kilz primers are always a nice base for a well-done painting job.