You’ll love the extra storage this DIY storage bench give any room in your home!
One of the biggest challenges we have in our new home is lack of storage. There is no closet by the front door to help corral shoes and more. So we are working on creating lots of storage solutions!
I partnered with Kreg Tools and their project plan site, BuildSomething.com, to make a simple upholstered storage bench that works perfectly in our entryway.
And now with our storage bench and our amazing mudroom storage lockers, we have solved a huge storage problem in our home. Isn’t being organized heavenly?
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Uses for the Upholstered Bench
We are using our storage bench in the entryway. It will hopefully be able to store all the shoes that keep cluttering the entryway, plus things like umbrellas, work gloves and more!
But the simple design of this bench makes it perfect for many different uses! And anyway you use it, you will love the large storage compartment.
So I decided to list some of the different places you could use this storage bench in your home:
- Coffee table: the storage inside would be perfect for extra throw pillows, blankets and more.
- Window seat: place in front of a window in your kids room for a comfy seat to read, with storage for toys inside.
- Game bench: use in a playroom to hold your favorite board games, and you can use the bench for seating around a game table or even use it as a table to play.
- Bedroom bench: place at the foot of your bed for a place to sit and it can hold linens and blankets, or a place to store your decorative pillows while you sleep.
- Storage chest: add to any corner of any room where you need extra storage or seating.
Easy to Build Bench
The design of the bench is simple, but I love the little detail of the sides sitting higher. With the upholstered top, it creates such a beautiful silhouette.
You could build this bench out of any wood you like. Reclaimed wood would be beautiful with the simple design.
Since I did not have any reclaimed wood, I decided to build my bench out of inexpensive (and therefore not perfect) 2×2 and 1×4 furring strips. Then I finished it with an aged wood accelerator to give the bench the feel of reclaimed wood.
And the best part, the wood for the bench (minus the plywood since I used a scrap piece) cost less than $30.
Simple Upholstery
If you have never upholstered any furniture before, don’t worry, the upholstery on this bench is super simple!
The keys to any upholstery project is to start with a high density foam (this is the foam I used for this bench). That way it will hold up to use. Then top if off with quilt batting. This will soften the corners of the foam and wood.
For our bench top, I used faux leather that was left over from last years Halloween costumes. The faux leather gives the bench a high end look and is easy to clean off, which is perfect if you have kids around!
I use a light duty stapler to secure the fabric and batting around the plywood top. No fancy upholstery tools needed!
And since the top is just a rectangle, it is as easy as wrapping a present. It’s the perfect upholstery project for a beginner.
More Storage Ideas
I love making beautiful storage solutions for our home. Functional pieces make me so happy.
Check out these other great storage projects:
Storage Bench Woodworking Plans
If you are ready to add more storage to your home, I am sharing the plans with you for free over on BuildSomething.com.
Click here for the complete build plans.
Need a bench without storage? I love this simple DIY X-leg bench.
Happy Building!
Would you like to save this tutorial?
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Hey Kati, I’m curious how you “set back” the side and front slats between the 1/4” to 3/4 “ mark as mentioned above to give it a more asthetic appearance. Pocket hole screws can easily make the wood shift it seems so wasn’t sure how to accomplish this task
Place a scrap of wood the width you want it set back under it. Then clamp everything and secure!
What is your best guess for maximum weight if someone were to sit on the bench?
I have personally seen 400+ with no problem. It’s tough to guess what the max is though. I would feel confident 2 large adults would have no issues.
Hello, I was wondering if there was any way to install a lock on this? I would love to use this in my AIRBNB for toilet paper and paper towel storage.
Hello, I am trying to access the link for the plans but looks that there is something wrong with the site. Can I access the plans in any other way? Thanks 😀
Thanks for letting me know, I have emailed Kreg to correct this. They moved all their plans to kregtools.com under the projects & plans tab. You can quickly search there for all my build plans.
Hi Kati! Do you think that a 60″ long version of this bench would be feasible if I added an extra bottom support board? Thanks!
Yes, and I would also add extra legs in the center to help support it.
@Kati, Thanks!
I love love the upholstered storage bench and would like to purchase the how to plans. Is the plan for sale?
The plans are free. I shared them on the Kreg website, you can find the link toward the bottom of the post!
would like the build plans
If you look at the bottom of the post there is a link to the build plans.
Hi Kati! I love this style! It is a beautiful bench! Could you elaborate more on how you finished it? Is this made of pine? Did you stain before using the age accelerator? Any poly after that? Thank you!
I made it out of douglas fir 2x2s and whitewood 1xs. The stain is just the brown Varathane aged wood accelerator and I didn’t seal it at all after. I didn’t want the shiny finish of a poly. If you want it more protected, you can use a wax to seal it without the shine, or try a matte poly.
On your cut list, is says for the small side slats to cut 2x 3/4 x 3.5 x 1.5. Is that a typo?
Yes it is. The small slats are suppose to be 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 16 1/2″. I have corrected it!