Create a Stylish Storage Bench

Skill Level: Intermediate

Create an area to sit down and organise your bits and bobs with this stylish storage bench.

Wooden storage chest with open lid placed on a workbench in a workshop setting.

This bench is easy to make and can even be personalised with a splash of colour.

Cordless BLACK+DECKER 18V lithium-ion drill with orange and black design, ergonomic grip, and battery pack attached.

Drills

A BLACK+DECKER 18V cordless random orbital sander with a black and orange design and a dust collection attachment.

Sanders

A BLACK+DECKER cordless circular saw with an orange and black design, featuring an ergonomic handle and a visible cutting blade.

Circular Saws

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Step by Step Instructions

Step 1.

Firstly decide on the length that you wish the bench to be. Measure 6 boards at this length and mark a line across the width of the board using a carpenter’s square. This will ensure a square cut/right angle/90 degrees.

Hands measuring wood with a tape measure. A pencil is on the table beside the wood plank.

Person marking wood with a pencil and ruler, preparing for a cut on a workbench.

Person uses a hand tool to carve wood on a workbench.

Step 2.

Using a circular saw cut the boards. These will be the front, back, and lid.

Step 3.

Measure out and cut 4 boards equal to “the width of 2 boards less the thickness of 2 boards”. This should be approximately 37cm. These will make up the end panels and will sit inside the front and back panels.

BLACK+DECKER circular saw cutting wood, held by a person on a workbench.

Person measuring a wooden plank with a yellow tape measure on a workbench.

Person uses tape measure to check wooden plank length on a workbench.

Step 4.

When all boards are cut, sand them all over.

Step 5.

Cut 4 lengths of the smaller gauge timber (here we have used 2x1, if your bench is to go outside then use a treated timber of similar size) to 40cm.

Person sanding wood with an orange BLACK+DECKER electric sander on a table.

Hands marking measurements on wood using a yellow ruler.

Person uses a hand saw to cut a piece of wood on a workbench.

Step 6.

Use these to join the smaller boards together to make up the end panels. When screwing nearer the end of the timber make sure you drill a pilot hole first.

Step 7.

Fix the longer boards to the end panels, screwing through into the 2x1. Drill pilot holes first then fix together with screws minimum size 4x70mm. Repeat on all 4 boards and both end panels so that you now have a 4-sided box.

Person sanding a wooden frame on a workbench, preparing it for further woodworking or finishing.

Person assembling wooden boards for a DIY project on a workbench.

A BLACK+DECKER drill is used to assemble wooden boards for a furniture project.

Step 8.

To make the top, cut 2 lengths of 2x1 to 36cm, making sure this is less than the INTERIOR width of the box. Fix the remaining 2 longer boards together with these lengths. Use 4 x 40s. Position the 2x1 evenly so that when the lid is in position they sit inside the sides of the box.