Flip Top Storage Bench with Cubbies

flip up storage bench with cubbies
Difficulty
Intermediate
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I was looking for a storage bench for our playroom that had a flip top lid, but wasn't going to be a bottomless pit for tiny pieces of toys...been there done that! Then I saw just what I was looking for!  The top flips up, but the bottom is storage shelves - perfect for baskets or shoes.  

Step by step woodworking plans with diagrams, shopping and cut lists.

Reader submitted photo

I plan to top mine with a long seat cushion and some toss pillows.

Dimensions
storage bench plans
18H, 45W, 17D

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 1- 2x2, 6ft
  • 1- 1x3, 8ft
  • 1- 4x8 plywood - this plan was designed for plywood that actually measures 3/4in
  • hinges for lid
Common Materials
1 1/4 inch finish nails
2 inch finish nails
120 grit sandpaper
primer
paint
paint brush
Cut List

Sides

2 - 3/4" plywood @- 13.5" x 16" 

4 - 2x2 @ 18"

4 - 1x3 @ 13.5"

 

Back

1 - 3/4" plywood @ 41.5" x 16"

 

Bottom and Shelf

2 - 3/4" plywood @ 41.5" x 16.25" 

 

Front

1 - 3/4" plywood @ 41 1/2 x 7 3/4

 

Divider (you could do 1 or 2)

1 - 3/4" plywood @ 16.25" x 6.75"

 

Lid

1 -1x3 @ 45" (measure to fit)

1 - 3/4" plywood @ 45" x 14.75" (you might want to cut this last to measure for perfect fit)

Cutting Instructions

Sorry I planned this for 3/4 in pieces, but i realized later that if you are using plywood its going to be slightly off, but it should only be off for the lid.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Level
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Make all your plywood cuts (see diagram)
I'm planning to get my plywood cut in-store into 2 4'x4' pieces.

Step 2

Assemble Sides using glue and 2" nails

Step 3

Add the 1x3 trim at top and bottom. Secure with glue and 1 1/4" finishing nails

Step 4

Once you have completed both sides, attach the back piece with glue and 2" nails
Make sure top edges are flush and check for square

Step 5

Step 6

Add the dividers

Step 7

add the front
Don't forget to nail from the underside of that shelf!

Step 8

Now add that 45" 1x3
Measure to fit

Step 9

ok so i think my graphic shows the lid as 14.5 wide, that was before it dawned on me that you need a little overhang to lift the lid...duh.
So it should be 14 3/4 or 15
Add the lid using whatever hinge hardware you decide upon.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth. 

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Comments

stayck77

Sun, 08/07/2011 - 07:06

Do you have any pictures of this finished project? I love it and am working on it now as my first build on my own! Thanks for the inspiration!

Hilary @ Katri… (not verified)

Thu, 10/27/2011 - 06:57

Ana, would it take a lot of structural work to extend the back of this up to add a hutch for coat hooks? We have a split-level entry, and need a behind-the-door solution for shoes, coats, and storage that doesn't require bolting to the wall or ceiling (halfway up the landing "wall" it turns into open railings around the top level living room). This storage bench would be perfect (shoe bin cubbies plus hinged storage lid), if only it had a higher back on it for coat hooks. No heavy shelves on top, just a back. Kind of like this concept (not necessarily this design): http://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Hall-Storage-Hx39-75-CHERRY/dp/B002644UB…
Thanks!

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:11

Look at her other lockers, entry way and mudroom pieces. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing one that had the top cubbies, coat hooks, a storage bench AND shoe space.

If not, just extending the rear legs and the back piece up higher, and framing it across the top with 1x something boards for the place to screw the coathooks.

The lift top on the bench would have to be notched around the rear supports instead of resting over them, or (easier) you could use a 2x4 across the inside of the upper box at seat height to make a place to attach hinges.

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:53

I'm wondering how much weight this could hold. I would love something like this for our eat in kitchen bench but I'm not sure if it could hold up two people?

Scot (not verified)

Wed, 11/14/2012 - 13:17

Couple issues/questions:

I like the design and am going to use it with minor changes. thinking about using Trofast Ikea toy bins in cubbies, so going to resize to fit the combination i want.

anyway, Step 2 you have 13.5" for side but overall dimension is 17". now a 2x2 is the nominal size and the actual is more like 1.5x1.5 so how are you getting 17" over all in either scenario?

Another problem is that you are cutting the Shelf and bottom to 16.5". Now if the overall width is 17" and the back wall is .75" then the Bottom and Shelf would need to be 16.25". Or 15.75" if you were wrong in step 2. You did cut your dividers 16.25" so i can assume you meant to cut the others that width as well.

Am i wrong? Sorry for the corrections. Just worry people will follow to the 'T' and find they are way off and have to buy another 50 dollar piece of plywood and recut.

Margy Mercer (not verified)

Mon, 12/31/2012 - 07:26

I believe a 2x2's dimensions are 1.75", so 13.5+1.75+1.75 = 16.

As for the shelf and bottom, 17"- 3/4 (the back panel of plywood) = 16.25" for the bottom and shelf to be flush with the front legs.

Does that make sense? Maybe I am wrong...?

vonburgenstein

Mon, 05/11/2020 - 05:43

Correct. 2x2 actual measurements are 1.5x1.5, so the sides actually measure 16.5" (not 17"). Assuming the plywood actually measures 3/4" in thickness, then your bottom/shelf/divider cuts should all be 15.75", not 16.5" or 16.25".

ash4383

Wed, 08/31/2016 - 18:54

Beware, the dimensions in this plan are incorrect. A 2x2 is actually 1.5", meaning the width for the sides is not 17" but rather 16.5". We are having to recut all the pieces now as everything is off. The length of the top is incorrect also, not 45". So frustrating, and I guess we learned our lesson to always double check someone else's math :(

vonburgenstein

Mon, 05/11/2020 - 05:48

And the length of the top will measure at 44.5" total (41.5" + 1.5"(x2)). I'm in process of building this now, and plan to make my cuts for the top pieces last, after everything else is cut and assembled, to measure out exactly how I want them to look on the top. I may want some overhang on the sides (in addition to the front), but haven't decided yet.