My wife and I are always looking to find storage solutions in our home. We have a small house with a one car garage, so storage is an issue. We especially needed to find somewhere to store our files (instead of piling them on the floor beside the desk). I saw a file storage bench on Pinterest, so I decided to make one of my own. I designed this bench to hold files, but it could be used for any type of storage.
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Supply List:
- 4- 1x4x8
- 1- 3/4 in Plywood (See dimensions needed in cut list)
- 1- 1/4 in Plywood (See dimensions needed in cut list)
- 1-1/4 in Pocket Hole Screws (Kreg SML-C125-100 1-1/4-Inch 8-Coarse Washer-Head Pocket Screws, 100-Count
)
- 1/2 in nails
- Hinges (Amerock 7550-G10 Self-Closing, Partial Wrap 1/2-Inch Overlay Hinge, Satin Nickel, 2-pack
)
- Lid Support (National Hardware V1890L Folding Supports, Brass
)
- Foam for Bench Top
- Fabric for Bench Top
Tools Needed:
- Saw
- Kreg Pocket Hole Jig (Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System
)
- Drill
- Staple Gun
Cut List:
1×4:
- 4 @ 29 in
- 8 @ 16 in (See step one for instructions)
- 4 @ 14 in
- 4 @ 7 in
- 2 @ 6 in
3/4 in Plywood:
- 1 @ 38 in x 17.25 in
1/4 in Plywood:
- 2 @ 12 in x 34.25 in
- 2 @ 12 in x 13.75 in
- 1 @ 13.75 in x 34.25
Project Plan:
Step One: Cut 8 legs (1x4x16) according to illustration below.
Step Two: Make front bench frame by following the illustration below.
Step Three: Repeat step two to make the back of the bench frame.
Step Four: Make one side of the bench frame by following the illustration below.
Step Five: Repeat step four to make the other side of the bench frame.
Step Six: Complete the bench frame by attaching the bench frame sides to the bench frame front and back pieces using pocket hole screws.
Step Seven: Attach the bottom support pieces as illustrated below.
Step Eight: Attach 1/4 in plywood (13.75 in x 34.25 in) to the bottom of the bench frame using 1/2 in nails.
Step Nine: Attach 1/4 in plywood to front (12 in x 34.25) and sides (12 in x 13.75 in) of bench frame using 1/2 in nails.
Step Ten: Sand and paint bench frame and bench top.
Step Eleven: Use foam and fabric to make a cushioned bench top. First, cut foam to size (38 in x 17.25 in). Second, cut fabric with extra length so it can be attached to the bench top. Use a staple gun to attach fabric to bench top.
Step Twelve: Attach bench top to bench frame with hinges and lid support.
Next week I will show how I added file storage and a removable shelf to the inside of the bench to maximize its storage potential.
