DIY Slipcover Bench Plans

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diy slipcovered bench
Difficulty
Beginner Projects
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Quick and easy - build your own slipcovered bench!  This is a free DIY project plan for a bench frame - just build, add a cushion and sew a cover for the top.  Free step by step plans from Ana-White.com

Great for the end of a bed, under a window, in a hall or entryway - this easy to build slipcovered bench can be painted or stained, with your choice of fabric on top!  

This slipcovered bench has been built many times, here's a few of our favorite reader builds -

 

Western Style - a dark stain with a leather look fabric, attached with nail heads makes a beautiful western style bench.  More details here.

 

Crisp White with Trendy Fabric - We love how this bench is like a trendy pillow in the room.  The crisp white paint balances the fabric, and the nail head trim makes it all look refined and complete.  More details here.

 

Full Length Skirt - This pleated full length skirt gives elegance and warmth to this room!  More details here.

 

 

Free Plans - Build Your Own Slipcovered Bench

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DIY Slipcover Bench Plans

Dimensions
slipcovered bench diy tutorial
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 2 – 2x4s, 8 feet or stud length
  • 1 – 3/4″ Plywood or MDF or Particle Board or OSB 16″ x 55″
  • 2" and 3″ self tapping star bit screws
  • 1 yard 56″ wide decorator fabric OR 2 yards 45″ wide fabric (upholstery weight is best)
  • 3″ foam, 16″ wide x 55″ long
  • wood glue
  • spray adhesive
  • sewing notions
  • paint or stain for the legs
Cut List
  • 4 – 2×4 @ 14 1/4″ (Legs – Cut legs longer if you are using thinner foam. For example, with 1″ thick foam, legs need to be 16 1/4″ long)
  • 2 – 2×4 @ 13″ (End Aprons)
  • 2 – 2×4 @ 49″ (Side Aprons)
  • 1 – 3/4″ Plywood @ 55″ x 16″ (Seat)
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set

Instructions

Step 1

Ends

Start by tapering all of your legs with a straight cut on either a jigsaw or circular saw. Note that if you are using a less thick foam pad, you will need to increase the leg length. The goal is a standard 18″ high bench. Once legs are taperend, attach legs to the end aprons with screws and glue.

Step 2

Side Aprons

If you have a pocket hole system, attach the side aprons to the legs. Otherwise, use scrap 2x4s to join legs and aprons together.

Step 3

Top

Screw the top plywood to all legs and aprons.

Step 4

Foam

Spray adhesive the foam to the top plywood. You can also spray adhesive a layer of batting to soften edges and add some cushioning to the aprons at this stage

Step 5

Comments

Gabrielle (not verified)

Wed, 12/29/2010 - 22:22

This may be my first project. I've been wanting to put a cowhide covered bench at the foot of my bed for awhile now. I can purchase cow ride rugs here locally for $148. One cowhide goes a very long way! Also have plans to cover an old large upholstered ottoman with it for my living room.

Pat C (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 02:56

Just lovely lines to this piece. I'm aiming to make this and paint or stain the legs.
Thanks!

Heather (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 03:33

For the slipcover, you can also measure how long you want to make it on the sides, then cut a rectangle big enough to go over the top and drape down the sides as far as you want it. Notch four squares out (the measurements of the sides) in the four corners, then sew the sides of the cut-outs together to make a pocket of sorts. Then you'd just hem it all the way around and slide on. I can do a sewalong later if you need me to :)

Heather (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 03:37

Forgot to add, I love this! I will definitely be adding this to my project list too.

And, an example on the slipcover, if you need 8" aprons, cut approx. 8" square in the corner of the larger rectangle you made (not the one of the measurements Ana listed, it's too small), then sew the cutouts edges to each other to make 4 pockets in each corner - it'll resemble a fitted sheet :)

Angela (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 03:42

Wow love this one. I have a list a mile ling of your projects that I want to do. This would be awseome for the foot of the farm house bed I want for my room.

Whitney Smith (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 04:07

Heather, I'd love to see details on how to make this slip cover. I'd love to make this but don't sew! Ekk!

Ana, this is on my short list (once I get a borrowed sewing machine and a few hours of youtube tutorials!). Thanks again!

Sarah (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 06:30

I just want to tell you, I think your work is awesome, and I am really thrilled that you put the plans online for others to use to build. I am going to build a table, I just have to find the right wood.... :-) oh and the time.

Lynn Peters (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 07:54

Libby, I love that ottoman and cushions! I would love to make something like that, but need to figure out a back support board piece to keep the cushion from sliding off...oooh, more inspiration. If only I had an endless supply of cash for the supplies.

Ana White (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 08:41

Lynn, Libby, I've actually drawn these plans up several times, but just can't get the back cushions quite right. I even called West Elm and they said the cushions are just really really heavy at the base. Sandbags maybe? Rocks? Beans? Gotta build and test out before I can blog.

Ana White (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 09:01

Joe, I can't spell! Someone asked me the other day if I write all my posts, and my response was, as long as you see annoying spelling errors, it's me making them. Thanks for pointing this out. I'll try to watch out for my grammar and spelling mistakes.

Erin (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 09:40

Gold bouillon? it weighs the cushions down and you have a hiding place. Seriously, though, what about buckshot?

Jessica (not verified)

Thu, 12/30/2010 - 11:04

Loving this. I gotta say a lovely dark stain on the legs would just set it over the edge for me. Thanks!

Kellie OBrien (not verified)

Sat, 01/01/2011 - 10:29

I love this! We are rearranging our living room and I'm going to build two of these to go in a couple of nooks that we have. This is perfect! It's my first furniture building project though, so I'm a little nervous!

After looking over the plans, I have a question. As the legs taper down, what is the dimension of the leg at the bottom? You noted the dimension at the top, where to start the taper, but I didn't see the bottom dimension.

Thanks so much!!

lindsaydomyhair (not verified)

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 14:37

Hey Ana! Would it be a totally different design if you wanted to make it tufted, or could I just sew buttons completely through foam? Maybe anchor them to the plywood somehow?

Mary (not verified)

Sun, 01/02/2011 - 18:29

I can't get over how stunning this looks for such a simple project. I may work up the nerve to try it. Someone posted your site today on the Dave Ramsey boards and I've spent a lot of time looking at your plans. Thanks for sharing what you've learned and making it accessible to us all.

Chris @ Our Co… (not verified)

Mon, 01/03/2011 - 16:45

My wife just had me take a closet door down by the back door that she wants to convert to a mini (super mini - it's very small) mud room with a small bench. I'll try to adapt these plans to our opening size. Thanks for this!

Happy New Year,
Chris

Arlene (not verified)

Tue, 01/18/2011 - 09:07

Ana, I just want to tell you how much I love this plan. I think it will be my first project. Also, I'm struck by your comments and how humble your responses are. I can tell you put a lot of love and planning into what you do. Keep it up! You're a wonderful example!

Thanks!

Brooke (not verified)

Wed, 01/26/2011 - 12:57

I may be a total math spaz, but I built the frame for this bench last night, and it's 56" long, not 55"! And as far as I know, that's what it would have to be, right? A 2x4 is 3.5" long, and since there's one on each end, that's 7", added to the 49" apron, that's 56"! Did I miss something? I'm cutting my foam to fit, so it's no big deal, I just don't know if I did something wrong or if there's an error in the plan...

Pam (not verified)

Thu, 01/27/2011 - 17:24

We just built this too, and you are right about the measurements. We had to remeasure a few times to make sure it wasn't us. :) It was short an inch on the plans. Great plans though! We have a made a few of her things and always have to double check before cutting because of minor errors. I don't complain though! I think she's still awesome!!!

Haley Folmer (not verified)

Thu, 04/14/2011 - 11:16

Thanks Ana!

I added batting around the edges to soften it up, and I made it a custom size to fit in a strange nook in my house where I used to literally sit on the floor with pillows and my laptop because the heater vent is there and there's a nice view outside.

On using batting and being a beginner at upholstery:  It looks funny when you use batting.  Ana's is WAY cuter.  I only used batting because I use my bench like a chaise lounge and I have a toddler always climbing on and off, so I don't mind the funky round corners, but go with Ana's no-batting version if just using as a bench.
Haley

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 04/16/2011 - 20:10

Your work is amazing!  I am hoping you can help me.  I fell in love with a slipcovered counter height bench seat by Lee Furniture that I am dying to have at my kitchen island.  I cannot find anything like it anywhere else but of course it is over $1000.  Do you have any ideas on how I can make something similar?  I can have someone make the slipcover since I can't sew but I need to figure out how to make the bench seat with an upholstered back.  Any ideas would be appreciated.  Thanks!  Check out this site to see the awesome bench.  http://www.limestoneandboxwoods.com/2010/06/bench-seating-in-kitchen.ht…

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 06/13/2011 - 15:47

FYI. This bench actually comes up to be 1 inch longer than stated! Make sure you check the measurements!

Pam555 (not verified)

Sun, 03/04/2012 - 13:48

I want to make this bench for my son's wedding but I really wanted a 77" bench. Do you think making it longer will compromise the strength of it because there will be multiple wedding guests sitting on it.

nataliek

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 12:10

I just priced out all the stuff to make this bench and it's $60 each bench (I need two) a far cry from the $20-$30 price range it's listed as. Where did you get the materials?

katiejai

Fri, 12/11/2015 - 12:52

just wondered if this is meant to be taken off--but what if you do the button tufting---love the simple plan--where do I find plans for the table  love it thanks! No one can be perfect at teverything--regarding whole/hole---as long as I know what is meant--good enough---would like to see an English professor do some of your projects!

TntMac

Sun, 04/05/2020 - 09:25

My hubby and I build this bench in a few hours (stretched over two days) for our game room table and I absolutely love it. We made the slipcover permanent by folding it over and stapling it to the underside of the plywood.

Bench