And we haven’t even talked about the best part… storage! This bench offers 8′ x 16″ of open storage. It is big enough to store larger appliances that I don’t use all the time, but don’t want to get rid of. I also use it to store table cloths and cloth napkins, as well as a toddle booster seat for when I have family with kids visiting.
I secured two 2x4s again the wall into the studs, then built up a frame around it. This frame is very sturdy, I am sure it will withstand lots of use. But it was super easy to put together. I used pocket hole screws and attached them in the order in the picture. For a more detailed tutorial, make sure to check out my blog post (link below).
I wrapped the outside of the bench with beadboard, then framed it out with 2″ strips of 1/4″ fiberboard. I chose the 1/4″ fiberboard to keep it from being too bulky of a trim.
For the cushions, I cut 3/4″ plywood to fit over the 3 sections I had created in the bench. Then I build a little frame on the bottom to fit into the frame of the bench. This makes very secure bench cushion that do not move around at all, but they can easily be lifted off to access the storage. Then I used upholstery foam from old couch cushions, batting and fabric to upholster each bench top. Super comfortable and using old couch cushions from a couch that was discarded was an super inexpensive option to buying expensive upholstery foam.
All the bench needed was a couple coats of white paint and a little dry time. Then it was all done and ready for use.
If you are considering a built in bench, I would highly recommend doing it. It wasn’t too hard, but the results make a huge impact! And it’s super functional. We love having the extra seating and storage.
Make sure to check out my blog for a more in-depth tutorial on how I built it and upholstered the cushions.