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Perfect Cubby Bench

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Difficulty
Beginner Projects
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A perfect cubby bench, featuring three cubbies sized to fit standard fabric drawers.

Dimensions

Preparation

Shopping List

2 – 1×12 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1×3 @ 8 feet long
Scrap 1/4″ plywood for the back (optional)
2″ screws or 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
1 1/4″ brad or finish nails
wood glue
wood filler
sandpaper
paint and primer
3 Fabric Drawers (make sure yours fit!)

Cut List

2 – 1×12 @ 21″ (Sides)
3 – 1×12 @ 34 1/2″ (Shelves)
2 – 1×3 @ 34 1/2″ (Footer/Back)
2 – 1×12 @ 11″ (Cubby Dividers)
2 – 1×12 @ 2 3/4″ (Top Cubby Dividers)
1/4″ plywood or other backing @ 36″ x 21″ (Back, optional)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Power Sander
Level
Drill Bit Set

Instructions

Step 1

Box

Start by rounding off the top corners of the sides with a jigsaw. Clamp the two cut edges together and sand as one to get the same curve. Then mark then sides for the placement of the shelves. Predrill holes and attach the shelves to the sides with 2″ screws and glue or pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 2

Front/Back

Attach the front and back as shown in the diagram. For the bottom piece, make sure you also attach from the top into the top edge of the footer.

Step 3

Back

Attach the back with 1 1/4″ finish nails and glue. If you have some smaller nails on hand, attach to the top. Otherwise, glue and clamp in place. Don’t worry, we’ll be adding more shelves to help with attaching the back better. The back is also optional.

Step 4

Cubby Dividers

This should be pretty easy – just mark, place your cubby dividers in place, and predrill holes. Screw down.

Step 5

Step 6

Top Dividers

Now this step isn’t so much as tricky, but will require some trust in glue. Measure out the placement of the final dividers and apply glue. Slide the dividers in place. Screw the dividers down through the seat and with 2″ screws. Let dry. They won’t budge. Not when the dividers are that s

Room
Entryway and Mudroom
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans

Comments

Monique W (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:11

Just thought I would leave a comment anyways. This would go perfectly at the foot of my son's bed. We are in a 1,000sq ft place with only two tiny closets for storage, with four of us. We don't even have a pantry... but we are going to make something from your site to use as one!!! Thank you Ana for all the amazing plans, they inspire us! We appreciate all the time you put into this site!

Margie (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:17

LOVE IT!! We have been searching and pricing something like this out!! Perfect for out entry way!!!!!!!

vivien (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:24

I would LOVE to have this in my entry. We have such a huge issue with kid accessories (hats, gloves, shoes, etc) being thrown all over the floor in our entry that this would be the perfect thing to help contain it! I'd LOVE to make one (it'd probably be black - ohhh that would look HOT) to help contain the mess!!

Sarah M. (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:29

I would love to make this bench for my mudroom. We are about to bring home our 3rd dog, and I would use the cubbies to store plastic boxes for dog and puppy chow. Thanks for all that you do Ana!

Holly Dapore (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:42

My DH just built the laundry room laundry sorter using your plans. It is fan-tas-tic! And...I asked him to build a bench for the laundry room now--for under the window. And...this bench would be perfect. Please enter us to win!

Holly Dapore (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:44

I can't leave a comment--so I hope this works. I hope it does not enter more than once. We just built the laundry sorter and could use this bench in the laundry room for under the window. Thanks :O)

Becky Caldwell (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 07:54

I have been looking at your site for a few months now picking things out that I would like to learn to do. This bench would be a perfect first project to get me started!

Tracy Smith (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:09

Love this Giveaway idea! Great way to get people interacting and of course, who doesn't love to win stuff!!! :-) Keep up the great work Ana!!!

Dana (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:09

Love this idea! Sadly, I don't have room for this bench in my house but I can't wait for the next "giveaway"!
I'm currently looking at your dining table and possibly hutch plans for my dining room. We are in desperate need of a new set!
Can't wait to see how this giveaway turns out :)

Anna Nichols (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:21

I have the PERFECT place in my master bedroom for this bench. I have been looking for a bench to go against a bare wall (under my bridal portrait) since my husband and I got married in July and moved into our house!! SO cute! :)

Kimie (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:26

I'll let someone that could really use this build this one, but I LOVE the idea of getting gift cards to buy supplies to build future plans. I'll definitely keep my eye open for plans I want.

April McCoid (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:43

Oh man, this bench really is perfect! With a 2-year old and another baby on the way, storage in my house is quickly becoming quite limited. What a great chance to win some building supplies!

Stacey Keith (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 08:56

Yay! Can't wait to start this. Hopefully, I will win so I can BUILD, BUILD, BUILD!!!

SusieB (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 09:35

Thanks for your website!!! I drool over your brilliant plans almost every day. But I live in Utah and my garage is unheated. I am shivering in my basement as I write this, and can't imagine working in 20 degrees or worse in the garage. Wondering if you can recommend a space heater. Or should I wait for spring?

Jen (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 09:45

SusieB -- I live in Utah, too! In South Jordan. This is probably going to sound horrible and make lots of people cringe, but I honestly just push my kitchen table out of the way and build away. I figure I can sweep well enough to get the saw dust cleaned up. And for actually cutting the wood, I just do it in the garage, then book it inside. Good luck!

Amanda (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 10:47

I would love to make this bench! I have been debating over the best bench for our entryway, and this would be perfect.

Michelle T. (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 11:24

This would be perfect for my entryway so my husband can sit down and take his shoes off instead of tracking dirt into the living room where he sits down to take his shoes off. I have marked SO many of your plans to build. I bet if it was free I could talk the hubby into helping!
Thanks Ana!

Kira (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 13:29

I have a problem with leaving my shoes next to the front door, because I can't tolerate shoes on for any longer than 4 steps into my house. This bench would make such a great disguise for my terribly habit.

Bev (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 15:11

I would love to make this project! It would fill the empty spot and eliminate the hockey bags my girls drop there till I tell them to move them!

SusieB (not verified)

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 16:47

Jen,

Thanks for the tip. I've thought of moving my "workshop" into the family room just for the winter. Didn't know if the family would freak out, though. (They do love their big screen, probably more than me.) Do you have a kreg jig? If yes, what do you think of it?

Brittanie (not verified)

Thu, 01/13/2011 - 05:34

I need this bench! We have a little one one the way - arriving any any day now, and it would be perfect for his new little nursery.

Madison Webster (not verified)

Thu, 01/13/2011 - 07:54

This would be the perfect bench for our playroom! My sister told me about your site and I can't wait to try this as a first project!

kater (not verified)

Thu, 01/13/2011 - 11:14

I was hoping to enter this giveaway before it closed, but i guess I missed it! It won't let me enter! I'll be more on the ball for the next one! ;) Still can't wait to build this bench!

shannon (not verified)

Thu, 01/13/2011 - 12:27

I love it!!
Does Ana come with the bench to make sure I get it right?!!
Love this website, thanks for everything :)

Katie (not verified)

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 06:59

I love this idea for a bench. Can you tell me where to find the cushion like what is shown in the plans/picture?
Thanks!

Liz (not verified)

Wed, 03/09/2011 - 08:04

I decided to make this cubby bench today and went to HD to get the wood from the cutlist. I was so dissapointed because all of their 1x12's all measured out 1x11 1/2. Would it still work or should I bag the idea? Does Lowes cut?
Thanks!