DIY Bookshelf Bench
So we've been working on our nursery for what sometimes feels like forever. My amazing parents converted my old desk into a changing table for us. My amazing husband painted the walls. My amazing sister gave us a crib (and about a billion other things). I thankfully already had the chest of drawers that matched my desk. With the addition of our glider--which should be here any day now--there really is no room for a bookshelf. We already had quite a collection of books from when I was a kid or we have found here and there since we started dating. However, there was no where to put them.
My husband and I were brainstorming and came up with the idea of a bookshelf/window bench. That was unused space we hadn't even thought of before without cluttering up the room. I looked all over the internet to find something with not much luck to fit the size window we had and could support the weight of an adult.
Thankfully, we like to think we're fairly handy. So, we decided to just make our own. I, of course, doodled some barely recognizable object on paper and got our measurements. My amazing brother-in-law loaned us his circular saw so we could cut the plywood which saved us so much money of having to buy one. I didn't help a whole lot out with this project, but was stubborn enough to help more than I probably should have. Forgive me if the pictures aren't of every step because I had to go inside periodically because it was too hot to stay outside.
DIY Bookshelf Bench
Supplies:
3/4" plywood
6 legs
L-brackets with screws
1x2 pine
Wood filler
Nails
Wood screws
Wood glue
Sander with sandpaper
Drill
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Paint (or stain)
Directions:
1. Measure your windows for width and height. We made our bench 70" long because it's a double window and wanted it to be about 15" high since we were adding a 2" cushion.
2. Cut your plywood pieces to size. The back piece should fit between the top and bottom pieces to add more weight stability since it is a bench. The top and bottom should be of equal size, back will be the same width as top and bottom but however tall you want your bench, and then 5 "shelf" pieces of equal size.
3. Attach one side to the bottom of the bench using a small line of wood glue and 2 L-brackets. If you attach the L-brackets before trying to attach it to the base it is much easier--trust me. Make sure the shelf pieces are flush to the front of the base piece to allow room for back piece.
4. Continue step 3 until all 5 "shelf" pieces are attached using 2 L-brackets on each side and making sure they are evenly spaced for the best weight distribution.
5. Attach the back piece to the base using a small line of wood glue and 2 L-brackets in each cubby made by your shelf pieces.
6. Using wood screws attach your feet. One on each corner and 2 evenly spaced in the middle. Screw from inside the bench into the feet to make sure they are well put in. Sink the screws slightly and fill with wood filler.
7. Flip the bench over onto the top piece and screw 2 L-brackets into each side of the "shelf" pieces and 2 L-brackets in each cubby into the back piece. Each cubby should now have 12 L-brackets holding it upright.
8. Cut your 1x2 to size to create a frame on the front of your bench to cover the cut edge of the plywood. Miter the corners.
9. Attach the 1x2 with your nails making sure to sink the nails and cover with wood filler.
10. Sand everything including rounding the corners.
11. Paint or stain the bench. I chose to thin out a grey wall paint with water and rolled it on very thin. I wanted the wood grain to stand out through the paint. My husband was nice enough to bring the bench inside so I could paint it because it was too hot for me to paint it outside.
Leaving it like this would still work and look very nice, but we chose to include a cushion. My amazing mother made us a cushion to fit our bench and it looks amazing!
Price:
Plywood=$25
Framing wood=$12
Legs=$18
L-brackets=36
Padding for cushion=$20
Total=$111
Great price for a bench and how many fit the exact size of our window, plus have space for our books, and a custom cushion. This was such a worth it project. I highly recommend trying your hand at a wood project. We are no carpenters and even we can build a bench.
How did you store your books in your nursery? What is your favorite book from your childhood?