How to Build an Entryway Bench

This is a simple step by step tutorial on how to build an entryway bench with cabinet storage below. If you have trouble at all throughout the process, check out my easy to follow video!

2x4" 8 ft 1pc

1x3" 8 ft 3pcs

1/2"plywood 4x8 ft 1pc

1x12" 12 ft 1pc

Lattice strips 8 ft 2pcs

cabinet knobs 2pcs

door catches 2pcs

hinges 4pcs

pocket screws 100pcs

1/2 inch foam

1.5 yards of fabric

Take one 2x4" and make a line 3 inches across from one of the short sides.

Draw another line perpendicular to that 1.5 inches from one of the long edges.

Use a circular object to trace a curved line between the two.

Use a jigsaw to cut out your design.

Use your first leg as a template for the other three, then cut those out as well.

Sand the legs smooth as necessary.

Need help? Check out the video:

Cut four 1x3"s to 34 inches

Cut four 1x3"s to 14 inches

Drill two pocket holes on each short side on all 8 of these boards.

Attach the 1x3"s to the legs using wood glue and pocket screws.

I attach all of these boards 1/4 inch in from the outside edge of the legs.

Two of the 34" boards are joined flush with the top of of the legs.

Two of the 34" boards are joined 19" from the top of the legs.

(the bottom of the 1x3s are flush with the 19" line)

Two of the 14" boards are joined on the sides flush with the top of the legs.

Two of the 14" boards are joined on the sides 19" from the top of the legs.

(the bottom of the 1x3s are flush with the 19" line)

Need help? Watch the video:

Measure between the bottom 1x3s and cut out a piece of 1/2 inch plywood to fit.

My plywood needed to be 15" x 39," but you should measure yours to get a perfect fit.

Measure the area where your legs sit. My measurement was 2.5" x 5/8"

Cut a notch this size out of each corner. I recommend sanding this piece before installing it.

Use wood glue and finish nails to attach the plywood flush with the top of the lower 1x3s.

You may need to trim this if you have trouble fitting the board.

If you have minor gaps, you can use wood putty to fill those and sand before moving on

Cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood to 34" x 16.5" tall.

drill 3 pocket holes on each of the short sides and 2 on the top.

The 3 on the sides will connect the board to the legs, and the other 2 will be used to connect the seat top later.

Use wood glue and 6 pocket screws to attach the plywood to the back of the bench.

Use finish nails to attach it to the top and bottom.

Make sure your pocket holes are on the inside of your bench.

Make sure two of them are on the top side to attach the seat top later.

If you have any gaps, use wood putty to fill them and sand as needed.

These will be the cabinet doors on the bench.

These will make the stiles of your cabinet doors.

Attach these to the front of your cabinet doors with wood glue and finish nails.

They should be flush with the sides.

Measure between the side pieces and cut four pieces of lattice to fit on the top and bottom edges of the cabinet doors.

My pieces needed to be 8 3/8" long.

Attach these to the top and bottom with wood glue and finish nails.

Need help? Watch the video!

Cut one of these into four 2.75" strips (16" long).

Join the four 1x12s to the four strips with pocket screws and wood glue.

You can use pocket hole plugs to cover these holes, but they will be inside the bench so you don't have to if you don't want.

Next, drill two pocket holes on the sides and one on the top of ONLY TWO of your new 16.5"x14" boards.

Now is a great time to sand these with some 80 grit sandpaper.

Need help? Watch the video!

Attach the two 16.5"x14"boards you made to the sides of the bench. (with extra pocket holes)

I used wood glue and pocket screws on the sides and finish nails on the top and bottom.

Attach the hinges to the doors, then hang the doors on the sides of the bench.

Drill two pocket holes on one of the long sides.

Attach it to the back of the top 1x3 on the face of the bench.

I used finish nails and wood glue.

Make sure the pocket holes are facing up.

Attach the last two 16.5" x 14" boards to the inside of the bench with wood glue and finish nails.

Make sure they are flush with the outside of cabinet doors.

Need help? Watch the video.

Cut your 1/2 inch ply wood to 17" x 41"

Trim the corners and sand the sharp edges off the board.

Cut a piece of foam that extends about 1 inch past each side of the 17" x 41" plywood cut out earlier.

Cut a piece of fabric that extends 3-4 inches past each side of the same board.

If you have foam thicker than 1/2 inch, you may need to cut the fabric a little larger.

Place the foam on top of the seat, and the fabric on top of the foam.

Lay these items together on their back carefully.

Stretch the fabric tight and staple it to the back out the plywood.

Need help? Watch the video:

I used a dark walnut stain and a gloss laquer spray-on clear coat.

Now is also a good time to install the cabinet knobs and door catches.

Use the 6 pocket holes made throughout the project to connect the seat top to the bench.

Be careful not to use screws that are too long.

If you need help on this project, check out my video to watch the build!