One-Day Storage Bench

Elegant outside, enormous space inside!

- Brad Holden

While looking for patio bench ideas, I came across a sleek modern design with tons of storage inside. Perfect. The price tag— over $1,000—wasn’t a problem because I knew I could build my own version, and in just a day. And so can you. It’s really just a plywood box dressed up with solid wood slats.

Money and materials

This bench is mostly treated plywood, which stands up to the elements but can be unfriendly to work with. It’s often slightly damp, if not soaking wet, so let it dry in your shop for a week or two before cutting. Store it flat to minimize warping as it dries. Caution: Warped boards are dangerous to cut on a table saw. A circular saw with a cutting guide is a safer option.

I used TMW for the bench’s exterior (see “Thermally Modified Wood,” p. 45), which drove up the cost to $600. Building the bench with cedar decking, which is rotresistant, would cost $300. The least expensive choice is construction grade pine ($100), which would give the bench a more rustic look.

1 ASSEMBLE THE BOX SIDES