This bench was the perfect size for a long wall in our bathroom! My husband added a solid front panel and used peg board to create a vented back panel. Then he made the seat hinged. Now we have a great bench that doubles as a laundry hamper with two compartments. I absolutely love it!
I love this bench. It is so solid. I have now built three of them for around our yard/porch. If you have the necessary tools and skills (intermediate level) you can build it in an afternoon. I built it in 4 hours with lots of breaks. My cost estimate includes paint and screws.
Built this mostly out of scraps I had in my garage. I had to get a few pieces but it was an easy build. I left out the x but I will probably be adding it soon and putting it out on my front porch once it warms up. For now it's filling a big empty wall in my living room!
Found this plans for the Gaby kitchen island and fell in love. So, I decided to try my handy work at it one weekend.
Used 2x6 boards on the outside to give it a bit more depth, mounted the rungs at a 45 degree angle and used a pocket hole jig so no screws show. Height is 5' and left a bit more room on the bottom so I could cut it shorter if I ever move. Sanded it down and applied stain and a polyurethane coat to finish and protect.
We made two of the Picnic Table to Bench units in the month of March. The second one is in the bottom part of the picture hidden by the wood rack. I took the picture from our upstairs porch. My husband is still amazed that we accomplished this. He is not a DIY'er. We built a new house in 2016 and had a bunch of leftover wood sitting on our (unfinished) basement floor. We managed to build our benches mostly from that wood. We did have to buy 3 more pieces to finish the second back/tabletop. Then we got the balance of the wood moved out to our storage barn. The color is deck stain from our porches. I chose 20 hours as our time frame because the used wood required a lot of sanding and prep work. Our time frame was probably about 3 weeks but we are 68 and 73 years old and were really in no hurry. The plans were very simple to follow. We made them 6 feet long.
I saw this plan a couple of months ago, and knew right away that this is what we need for our kids - their old table was always filled with papers, crayons and they never had enough space to store whatever they did.
I made the table longer so that it would be enough for both of them, and added foldable legs to support the table top.
Since I didn't find the right hinges for the legs, I used a piece of 1x1 with wood dowels which are attached to the inner side of the legs when unfolded.
Fri, 03/22/2013 - 16:08
Well, I now know what I'm doing tomorrow! I'm going to make a small hinged one to go in our entryway because we have nowhere to put stuff while we're getting our shoes on. Yours looks great!
I built this in a weekend. I used the Kreg pocket hole jig to build frame and also secure back panels to side rails. The bench is 4' wide and almost 6' tall. I put the coat hooks on either side of the top rails.
Fri, 02/06/2015 - 22:34
I'm a beginner but would like to know more of the measurements and shopping list you had to build this for myself, with just a few modifications. Lol! Looks great! Thanks for sharing!
Instructions were very easy to follow. I got wood at Home Depot and had it cut to size there as well (fit better in car that way). Without help it will take longer than if you can get a person to help out. I needed to go buy a Kreg jig, Kreg nails, and a c clamp. I used chalk paint from Joanne's. Done in 2 days.
I ended up painting them a Bright Blue and Bright Red like crayola colors and I forgot to take an after picture but I was so excited about this because it was my FIRST time building something with wood. My husband made the table with the scraps I had leftover.
My family and I really enjoyed camping last year and with the addition of another child we will not be able to get out this season. So, I modified the simple bench plan to create a comfortable seating area while we "camp" in the backyard. With the money I saved building vs. buying, I was able to purchase a new miter saw and sander and still save a ton of green. I plan on building a couple side tables to complete the set. Thanks for the site Ana, it helps make our home more warm and affordable.
Sun, 06/28/2020 - 19:32
Those are BEAUTIFUL, and exactly what I am thinking of.
I built this headboard a while back but just never got around to posting it. I distressed the wood, painted it mint green and applied a chocolate glaze.
Thu, 02/12/2015 - 00:07
The colors here are so cute and classy! I love it!
Thu, 02/12/2015 - 00:07
The colors here are so cute and classy! I love it!
Made from plans on website. Granddaughters favorite color is purple so that's the theme. Siding and room match house.
I originally made the Adirondack chairs in a Beach style, then I made them matte black for around the fire pit. I modified the design a little, making the arms wider (to accommodate food and drink better) and fanned the back a bit. Everyone loves the look and how comfortable they are, as well as how sturdy they are. Goodbye to those plastic chairs that break.
Thanks for the great project ideas during the quarantine.
My wife asked me to build her a sewing table so I modified the x console a bit. Pretty happy with the result. Still need to add the hardware to complete the piece. Finished with the vinegar / steel wool solution after pre treating it with black tea. First time using that technique and will definitely use it again.
In reply to beautiful by katiemakes
Fri, 04/05/2013 - 22:20
I can't remember where I stumbled across the technique but basically you take some steel wool (0000), tear it up, put it in a big glass jar, fill it with stinky white vinegar and let it sit for a few days to dissolve the wool. Shake the jar every day or two and don't cap it tight. In about three days the wool will have dissolved and you will have a murky liquid.
I then brewed some black tea I bought at Walmart and painted the entire piece with the tea. After it dried I painted over it with the vinegar, and wallah! it totally changed colors...not sure why it does...something to do with oxidization and tannin and chemical reactions.
Then I went over the entire piece with furniture wax.
There are plenty of online tutorials which go into more detail. My suggestions is make sure your surface is completely clean and as smooth as possible. Let your tea layer completely dry before applying the vinegar and then let your vinegar layer dry outside. We rushed the table into our house mere moments after it was dry to the touch, so our home smelled like stinky, rusty vinegar for a few days. I can't stand the smell of vinegar....I loathe salt and vinegar chips....blah.
Anyway, glad you liked it.
Tue, 04/07/2015 - 06:05
Love this mod. Might copy but will cut into the desk portion so the sewing machine surface is flush. I have a desk in which it sits on top now and have thought of cutting into it, but it's Amish made and the thought of ruining work gives me the willies, ha! Anyway, great job!
Wed, 04/08/2015 - 08:52
Love this! Would like to build for a make up/get ready table! Do you have the plans you used or how did you modify this?!
This is a replica of the Pottery Barn benchwright coffee table. I altered Ana's plans slightly by changing the design of the legs to be 2.25" by 2". I added full extension drawer slides. The finish is a combination of transtint shellac base coat, gel stain, transtint dye, and poly.
Wed, 02/11/2015 - 05:37
This looks so professional and just like the real Potter Barn table! Great job!
I changed the entrance from the front to the end and added the steps.
This was my second build ever, and I'm so extremely satisfied with the entire process! Ana's plan was super easy to follow, and I couldn't be more proud of how they turned out!
This was a recycle from a window replacement project on my 108 year old home. I removed the leaded glas window from the top of a 4.5 by 4.5 street facing window with a reciprocationg saw, attached a 1x4 pine board with trim screws on the ends and trim nails on the mid-portions. Painted it with satin black with a sweep of gold and pewter for a little dramatic effect, purchased a heavy weight mirror hanging plate and attached to the wall and window back. I'm thinking of backing it with a mirror to improve looks,
Sat, 03/30/2013 - 09:39
This is just lovely! What a wonderful use for a piece of history, it's now a one of a kind piece of art, and an instant heirloom!
Comments
Ana White
Tue, 01/27/2015 - 15:27
Wow! I love how creative you
Wow! I love how creative you are and the modifications! Fabulous!