If you’re looking to make your area clean and free from clutter. Having extra storage space is a big bonus. We needed a bench for our house but I wanted to use the space efficiently. So I built a simple DIY Bench with Storage with two large drawer boxes. 

This bench is very functional for either your indoor and outdoor spaces. The store-bought models don’t come cheap, so why not make your own. With a few basic tools and some construction lumber, you could make an awesome bench. Also another benefit of making your own furniture, you could pick the perfect color to match your room.  

Placing a small throw blanket over this bench would make it cozier if you choose to use it in the kitchen or dining area.

You also might be interested in the corner storage bench and entry say shoe rack bench that I’ve built previously.

Bench with Storage PDF

$7.00

This PDF download includes Cut Diagrams, a List of Supplies, and 3D illustrations with detailed steps to build the project. Measurements are in imperial and not metric. Does NOT include SketchUp/CAD files.

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Bench with Storage

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Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size.  See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.

Disclosure: Some of the links on this page as well as links in “tools for this project” and “material list” sections are affiliate links. 

Dimensions

Step 1 – Cut Boards for Top of the Bench

Take 2×4 and cut two pieces to 67” in length and two pieces to 11 1/4″. Since 2x4s come with rounded edges and 1x12s come with straight edges, we need to cut off rounded edges on the 2x4s to eliminate gaps when attaching these boards together. Using a table saw, rip off ¼” on both sides of the 2x4s. See picture of 2x4s with straight edges. Then take a 1×12 board and cut one piece to 64” in length. Sand the boards before attaching them together. It makes things easier later on.

Step 2 – Drill Pocket Holes

Using a Kreg Jig tool, drill pocket holes on the 1×12 board as shown in the picture. Then drill two pocket holes on each side of the 11 1/4″ pieces. Make sure to set the Kreg Jig correctly to drill pocket holes for 1 1/4″ screws on 1×12 board and 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws on 2×4 boards.

Step 3 – Assemble Top of the Bench

Apply wood glue to all the seams and clamp the boards together before using screws. This will prevent the board from shifting and creating unwanted misalignment while screwing-in the boards.

Step 4 – Cut Leg Pieces

Next cut four pieces of 2×4 to 14 1/2″ in length and two pieces of 1×12 to 14 1/2″. Then drill pocket holes as shown in the picture.

Step 5 – Assemble and Attach Legs to Bench

First, assemble the two legs using screws and wood glue. Then attach the legs to the seat of the bench.

Step 6 – Attach Back Support

Cut one 2×4 piece to 60” in length and drill two pocket holes on each side. Then attach this board to the backside of the bench, 2” from the ground.

Step 7 – Attach Middle Support

The center of the bench will have a divider that divides the two drawers. Using a 2×4 cut one piece to 14 1/2″ in length and one piece to 11 1/4″ in length. The 14 1/2″ piece will be attached in the front, so drill two pocket holes on one side. The 11 1/4″ piece will be attached between the back support and the middle divider. Drill two pocket holes on each side of this 11 1/4″ board. Place a mark exactly in the middle of the bench and then assemble using screws and wood glue as shown in the picture. You’re done with the bench, next step is to work on the boxes.

Step 8 – Cut Plywood for Storage Boxes

Now we’ll work on the two boxes that go under the bench. Take ½” plywood and cut one bottom piece to 24″x11 1/4″, then two side pieces to 12 3/4″x11 3/4″ and one back piece to 27″x12 3/4″. Since there are two drawers for this bench, repeat this step.

Step 9 – Assemble the Boxes

Assemble the boxes by first attaching the side pieces to the bottom piece. Then attach the back piece. Make sure to use wood glue in all the seam so that drawers will not fall apart. Secure the plywood using 1 1/4″ brad nails using a nail gun.

Step 10 – Attach Box Supports

Both drawer boxes will sit on two 2x4s that are 11″ long. Attach these 2×4 using 1 5/8″ wood screws and wood glue.

Step 11 – Cut and Drill Holes for Front Cover of Boxes

Take 1×8 and cut two pieces to 28″ in length. One of the boards will be trimmed to 6 1/4″ in width. Drill pocket holes on the smaller board to join the two boards together. The 7 1/4″ board will have an opening to serve as a drawer handle. Find the center of the board and draw an outline of the holes. Using a 1 3/4″ hole saw bit, drill two holes to provided dimensions. Then with a jig saw cut out between the two holes connecting them together. Connect both boards together using 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

Step 12 – Attach Front Cover to the Boxes

Now attach the front boards to the box using wood glue and Nail Gun. If you choose not to use brad nails on the front board than you’ll need to drill pocket holes on plywood in step 8. Since the drawer plywood is made from 1/2″ plywood you need to make sure to set Kreg Jig for 1/2″ wood thickness.

Step 13 – Stain and Paint

First, apply the wood conditioner as your first layer. If you’re using pine wood its important to use wood conditioner or pre-stain before applying the stain. The wood conditioner will eliminate blotching. Now apply the stain and wipe it off with a clean cloth. For this project, I used Ebony Stain. Then I took whine paint a lightly brushed over the stain creating whitewash effect. You could choose any color to want for this step. You’re done with a DIY bench with storage!