Stacy Risenmay

Do-it-yourself projects and Home Decor

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Easy DIY Bench

By Stacy 23 Comments

Remember the bench I made for the little girl’s makeover? I had a hard time handing it over because I fell in love with it. I finally got around to making one for myself and I have photos to share of the process! I have partnered with Minwax to bring you the tutorial.

 

wood-and-gold-bench

 

My bench is a bit different from the first one I built since when I built the other one I was working with all scrap wood. I also went with a different color scheme.

 

entryway-bench

 

I am so happy with how it turned out!

 

entryway-bench-legs

 

The entry way was too white for my taste and it needed some color. The hanging plant also helps fill in some of the white space. It is one I made for my book, Natural Accents.

 

entry-bench

 

I used 1×4 boards for the top and 4x4s for the legs.

The cut list:

1×4 boards

(3) 12.5″ – braces for the underside

(4) 41″

(2) 48′

(2) 7″

4×4 boards

(4) 18″

boards-needed-for-bench-top

 

I drilled pocket holes to be able to attach the boards together.

 

pocket-holes

 

Once they were all screwed together (including the three wood braces), I stained it using Weathered Oak from Minwax. I have used Classic Gray in the past and I really like it but it has a cooler undertone and I worried it would come of light blue against the blue painted legs. I wanted a warmer gray. I only used one coat and it really gave it that reclaimed wood look I was going for.

 

stain-with-weathered-oak-by-minwax

weathered-oak

 

Here is what the bench top looked like before I attached the legs. The sides, front, and back piece go under the top boards so that they won’t add width. The 4×4 leg would not be flush if you added it the other way.

 

top-of-bench-before-legs-are-added

 

I used wide metal braces to attach the legs. Make sure your bench is on a flat, level surface when you add the legs.

 

legs-attached-with-metal-braces

 

Since it is a tight space, the drill couldn’t fit in between the legs on the end. I marked where the brace needed to go and then screwed it in place white the leg sat on the floor next to the bench.

 

mark-where-it-needs-to-be-screwed

 

screw-on-metal-brace

 

Not only is this a cute entryway bench, but it can be used as extra seating or as a coffee table. We don’t need a coffee table all the time. It tends to get in the way of my active boys if it is there all the time, but every now and then we have need of one during movie night or something and it is nice to be able to move it over.

 

gray-blue-entry-way-bench

Here are the other Minwax projects I have done this year:

This post was sponsored by Minwax but the thoughts, ideas, and opinions are all mine :)

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Filed Under: DIY & Tutorials, Favorites 23 Comments

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  1. Marny CA says

    October 1, 2016 at 7:08 am

    The bench is very nice … are you planning on putting nice baskets below for a bit of storage?

    Reply
  2. Carole @ Garden Up Green says

    October 1, 2016 at 7:29 am

    I love this and that blue is really grabbing my attention. Great project!!
    Thanks for that tutorial looks super easy.

    Reply
  3. cmt says

    October 1, 2016 at 7:48 am

    I love both versions. Love the combination of paint and stain and the fact that you can pull together design elements in any space with creative pairings. Such a simple design I feel confident I could do this myself. Thanks for the how to.

    Reply
  4. Dyan says

    October 1, 2016 at 8:16 am

    LOVE this! It looks (relatively) easy and the contrast between the stain and the blue legs is perfect! Thanks for all the details.

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth H says

    October 1, 2016 at 9:32 am

    Love each bench. I think I will be able to make one. Fingers crossed.

    Reply
  6. Kara says

    October 1, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    I like this one even better than the first version. The pop of blue is so pretty!

    Reply
  7. jackline says

    October 3, 2016 at 2:43 am

    awesome post really i like all designs

    Reply
  8. Kate says

    October 4, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    Love this!
    Thanks for sharing this week at the Merry Monday link party!
    We hope to see you again next week!
    Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com

    Reply
  9. Grandmas House DIY says

    October 5, 2016 at 10:47 am

    Oh my gosh I love that you painted the legs blue! Pinning to my Build Projects board!! The Wednesday “To Grandma’s House We Go” link party just started over at grandmashousediy.com and I thought you might be interested in joining it, thanks!

    Reply
  10. Pam says

    October 7, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    That is a VERY cute bench! Love it! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty!

    Reply
  11. Joy says

    October 19, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    What did you use for the blue paint?

    Reply
  12. Doris Colbert says

    January 25, 2017 at 6:02 am

    Hello,
    What color of paint did you use for the legs?
    I love this color scheme! Beautiful work!

    Reply
  13. Jason says

    May 24, 2017 at 11:57 am

    Hello,

    I have a couple questions about this project. They look great by the way and have caught the eye of my mother who has contracted me (pretty much just told me) to make her some.

    About how much weight do they support? Could two fully grown adults, say 300 – 350 lbs sit on it?

    Second, what did you use for the stain on the legs? It is a very pretty blue but I can see the grain so I assume it isn’t paint.

    Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 24, 2017 at 1:24 pm

      You are so sweet to build this for your mom! Here are the answers you requested.
      I’m not sure exactly how much weight it can hold. I stand on it occasionally to reach things (sorry but I’m not telling you my weight ;) ) and my husband sits on it (he’s 225). We’ve never both sat on it at the same time.

      The blue on the legs is paint. The wood grain only shows when light shines on it since the grain “sticks out” kind of like when something is embossed. 4x4s tend to be like that.

      Good luck on your project!

      Reply
  14. Leah says

    June 6, 2017 at 2:01 am

    Thank you!!! I just moved into an apartment with a really weird 4 foot dining area. I am going to make this but extend it and make it taller to become a tall skinny eating table. <3

    Reply
  15. Mélanie brodeur says

    October 14, 2017 at 11:54 am

    What kind of wood do you use ?

    Reply
  16. Barbara Honig says

    July 24, 2018 at 8:44 pm

    my teenage grandson is looking for a woodworking project. What type of wood did you use for the 1×4 boards and what type of wood for the 4×4 boards?

    Reply
  17. Eddie says

    January 14, 2019 at 11:03 am

    I have made the bench for my son. It matches a table that was given to him. I made the bench 150 cms long and it is very sturdy. I left the finish just sanded – for his wife to add the finishing touches. They are both very pleased as I made it just the right size to fit under their table. Thank you very much for the idea

    Reply
  18. Toni says

    October 19, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    I love it! but I do have one question: do you have a picture of the entire bottom? I can’t see how the front and back boards are attached I want to make this, this weekend for my front porch and I’m going to paint the legs purple.

    Reply

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stacyWelcome! I'm sharing our adventures as we fix up our 1938 cottage. Whether it is big or small, I think everyone should love their home and I don't think it takes a lot of money to make a space your own.
 

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