How To Build A Storage Bench For Under $100

Time needed: 2 days.

1. Build the legs

   Build the legs for each end of the bench. Drill 3/4” pocket holes into the 1×2 boards and 1 1/2” pocket holes into the 14 1/4” 2×2 boards. Apply wood glue to the ends of the 1×2 and 2×2 boards. Attach the 1×2 boards with 1 1/4” pocket screws and the 2×2 boards with 2 1/2” pocket screws.

2. Build the center legs

   Drill 1 1/2” pocket holes into the ends of the 14 1/4” 2×2 boards. Apply wood glue to the ends and clamp in place. Attach with 2 1/2″ pocket screws. *Sand all of the assembled leg pieces and paint black.

3. Build the side and end panels of the bench

   Build the side and end panels. Drill 3/4” pocket holes into one edge of each of the 1×3 boards, both edges of the 1×4 boards, and each end of all of the boards. Attach the boards with wood glue and 1 1/4” pocket screws.

4. Build the bottom panel

   Drill 3/4” pocket holes into each end and edge of all of the boards that make up the bottom panel. Glue up and clamp the edges of the boards and attach with 3/4” pocket screws.

5. Assemble the bench top/lid

   Glue up the edges of the boards that make up the lid and clamp together. Apply glue to 1×2 boards and evenly space on the lid, leaving 1 3/8” spacing on each end of the 1x2s and spacing them 13” apart. Attach to the lid with 1 1/4” wood screws. *Stain and finish all of the panels, lid, and 1×2 boards that make up the bottom shelf of the bench.
6. Attach end panels

   Attach the ends of the panels to the legs using the predrilled pocket holes and 1 1/4” pocket screws.

7. Attach front and back panels

   Clamp the front and back panels, then attach with 1 1/4” pocket screws.

8. Attach the bottom panel

   Flip the bench over onto it’s top. Set the bottom panel in place so that it is inset and flush with the bottom edge of the side panels. Clamp in place and attach on all four sides with 1 1/4” pocket screws using a drill or impact driver.

9. Attach the center legs

   Mark the location of the center legs, based on the diagram above. Glue and clamp the legs in place, then flip the bench over. Mark the center location of the legs from the inside of the bench (20”). Drill 2” screws through the bottom panel into the legs to secure them to the bench.

10. Attach shelf slats

    To attach the 1×2 boards on the bottom, begin by attaching the boards flush against the front and back legs of the bench. Apply a dot of glue at each of the contact points for the boards and nail into place on each end with 1 1/4” brad nails.

11. Attach remaining slats

    Once the front and back boards are in place, evenly space the remaining boards between them (approximately 5/8” spacing). Glue and nail in place on each end. Once the boards are in place, flip the bench over and drill 2” screws into the underside of the middle leg support to secure them in place in the middle.

12. Attach lid

    Attach the lid with 2 1/2” hinges. The hinges can be attached directly to the top edge of the rear panel, or a chisel can be used to carve a mortise into the edge to allow the lid to sit more flush against the rear edge of the bench. Measure and mark 6” in from each end of the bench for hinge placement.