How to Make an Entryway Storage Bench

An entryway storage bench is a perfect way to keep daily clutter under control. A do-it-yourself version of an entryway storage bench can be easily made with a set of upper kitchen cabinets, a can of paint, a few decorative toss pillows and a few hours of free time. This storage bench with cabinet doors will help hide such common entryway clutter as shoes and backpacks while providing stylish seating in a typically high traffic area of your home. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Use upper kitchen cabinets that are between 18 and 30 inches tall (ideally 24 inches) and at least 30 inches long. Consider buying unfinished cabinets from an unfinished furniture store if you are not recycling your kitchen cabinets,

2

Attach the bun feet to the bottom of the cabinet by drilling four holes in each of the four corners of the cabinet and screwing the bun feet into the holes. The bun feet will raise the cabinet off the ground.

3

Cut a piece of wood (or have it cut at a local hardware store) that measures the same length and width as the top of the cabinet. With the wood sitting on top of the cabinet, drill four holes, one in each corner, through the wood and into the top of the cabinet. Screw the wood onto the cabinet.

4

Remove the cabinet doors and cabinet hardware with a screwdriver. Prepare the cabinet and doors for painting by gently sanding the entire surface with a medium-grade sandpaper. The goal is to rough up the cabinet instead of completely stripping its finish. Wipe away the sanding residue with a dry cloth.

5

Coat the cabinet with two coats of paint, allowing dry time between coats according to the paint manufacturer's instructions. If the bench will be white, apply two coats of white primer before the paint to prevent the wood grain from bleeding through the paint. Use black satin finish paint for a more durable bench well suited for a high-traffic entryway.

6

Reattach the cabinet hardware and cabinet doors. Use new cabinet hardware for an updated finish. Store shoes on one side, backpacks on the other. If there is a shelf in the cabinet, place baskets on the shelves to hold mittens, hats, keys and sunglasses.

7

Complete the storage bench by tossing a couple of pillows on top of the cabinet. Hang a row of hooks about 36 inches above the storage bench to hang coats, hats and purses.