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Build Your Own Bench Seating
By Amanda Bashore of Your Home Supply
There’s nothin’ better than relaxing on a cozy bench. Actually, there is one thing better--relaxing on a nice comfortable bench that you’ve built yourself! A homemade bench is not only practical, but will also last for many years. You’ll also have a great new comfy spot which will sit three just about anywhere in the house, so why not make this a group project? Everyone knows kids love three day projects!
Here are some general guidelines for building a simple yet sturdy bench for your home. When considering where it will go, try to avoid placing it in front of vents or outlets etc. Also make sure the bench is in a spot where it can be anchored to wall studs. Also, for our purposes we will install the bench on top of existing carpeting.
First you’ll need to measure the spot (or two) that your new creation will be placed. For our purposes we are going to look at a bench that will go into a corner of a room. You will measure from the wall towards room center.
On graph paper draw all three views of the bench, front, top and side. As a corner bench, it will have two sections. The height should be around 21 inches and the depth about 20 inches since this is comparable to what you’re used to in a chair.
Mark the spot of the bench on the floor with tape. Use a piece of cabinet grade plywood to make a template of the shape of the top of the bench by laying scrap pieces of plywood on the floor in the corners of the angled wall and tape them together with duct tape. You will use this pattern to create the angle. Next you will transfer your measurements onto the wood.
I’m going to suggest here that you enlist someone (maybe it’s you) with woodworking skills to do the actual cutting including the molding. A local cabinetry shop is a great place to get a little help with this. You will notice that he or she uses goggles and a mask while cutting! Even though the cutting will be done by a professional, it’s also good practical fun for you and your helpers to also wear goggles or a mask when using glue or nailing.
Now that the pieces are cut, it’s time for the fun part of assembly. Lay out top, side and bottom wood pieces. Using a nail gun and glue, attach a wood cleat to the bottom of one side to fasten the side and bottom together and remember to add legs along the bottom for support.
The wood glue should be added to all surfaces that will be joined. Drive the nails in at an angle for more stability in the joints. Next, attach the base frame to cover the edges of the wood with the glue and the nailer with finishing nails.
After these pieces are fastened together, the wood is ready for a stain. Make sure to use a cabinet-grade stain which you will sand lightly with high-quality sandpaper. Sanding is usually a safe activity for any little helpers you might still have onboard, too!
Next apply stain with a cloth going with the grain. Once that’s dry, fill in the exposed nail holes with matching wood filler. After that’s dry, apply a clear coat with a paintbrush. Repeat that process again.
Okay, now it gets good since it’s time to fit the benches against the wall. Attach two sections together by screwing two screws into the already drilled (remember the cabinet shop) face frame. Use plywood braces and 1-1/4-inch screws on the base, and use 2-1/2-inch screws to attach the back of the bench to the wall at the stud locations.
Attach the pre-cut molding trim to the top of the bench and wall using three-penny nails. Recess the nail heads using a nail set and add putty to the holes. If you had removed baseboards, reattach them.
Building a bench, as you can see, is a fairly big project that due to allowing time for things to dry also takes a few days. You are also well served to enlist some help and a manual of sorts. But by following the steps above, building your own bench can be a great bonding project that will continue to bond your family together for years to come!
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PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
Your Home Supply
Inexpensive, and high quality home product
www.yourhomesupply.com
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