Are you searching for the perfect blend of style, comfort, and practical storage for your bedroom or living space? Look no further than a custom-built King Size Upholstered Storage Bench. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a sturdy and elegant storage solution that not only offers ample space for all your essentials but also provides a chic seating option. Whether you need a place to comfortably get ready in the morning, a cozy spot to read before bed, or a functional piece for a playroom or mudroom, this DIY project is incredibly versatile. Based on the beloved design of upholstered bench seats, this King Size version is scaled up to hold a significant amount of items, making it an indispensable addition to any home.
Why Build Your Own King Size Upholstered Storage Bench?
Ample Storage Capacity
One of the primary advantages of this King Size Storage Bench is its impressive storage capacity. Designed to be spacious, it can effortlessly accommodate a multitude of items, from extra bedding, pillows, and blankets to seasonal clothing, children’s toys, or even sports equipment. Say goodbye to clutter and hello to an organized home with this clever storage solution. The generous interior means you can keep your bedroom tidy and free from unsightly piles, ensuring everything has its designated place.
Versatile and Elegant Seating
Beyond its storage capabilities, this bench serves as a beautiful and comfortable seating option. Imagine a luxurious upholstered surface at the foot of your bed, providing a soft spot to sit while dressing, putting on shoes, or simply relaxing. Its elegant design ensures it complements a variety of decor styles, adding a touch of sophistication to your space. But its utility isn’t limited to the bedroom. This bench can also transform a busy mudroom into an organized entry point, offering a place to sit and remove muddy shoes, or provide robust seating in a bustling playroom where durability is key. Its adaptability makes it a valuable piece of furniture throughout your home.
Cost-Effective Customization
Building this King Size Upholstered Storage Bench yourself offers significant savings compared to purchasing a similar high-quality piece from a furniture store. With an approximate material cost of less than $100 (excluding upholstery supplies), you can create a custom piece that perfectly matches your home’s aesthetic and your personal comfort preferences. This DIY approach empowers you to select the exact fabric, foam density, and finish that aligns with your vision, ensuring a truly unique and personalized item that retail options often cannot provide.
Materials You’ll Need
Before diving into construction, gather all necessary materials to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted building process. Selecting quality materials will contribute to the durability and longevity of your King Size Upholstered Storage Bench.
- Two (2) Sheets of 3/4″ Plywood: This will form the main structure of your bench. Choose a good quality, furniture-grade plywood for a sturdy and long-lasting build.
- Wood Glue: A strong, high-quality wood glue is essential for reinforcing all joints, providing additional strength and stability to the bench frame.
- 1 1/4″ Pocket Screws and Pocket Hole Jig: These are crucial for creating strong, hidden joints, especially if you plan to paint or stain the exterior of your bench. A pocket hole jig makes this process precise and easy.
- 1 3/4″ Wood Screws: These longer screws will be used for various attachments, particularly when assembling parts that will be covered by upholstery, where visible screw heads are not a concern.
- Foam and Fabric (for Upholstering): The amount will depend on the dimensions of your lid and the desired thickness and drape. Consider high-density foam for durability and comfort, and a sturdy upholstery fabric that suits your style.
- Batting (Optional but Recommended): Adds a layer of softness and smooths out the foam, preventing sharp edges and providing a professional finish under the fabric.
Tools Required
Having the right tools on hand will make this woodworking project much more enjoyable and efficient.
- Measuring Tape and Pencil: For accurate measurements and markings.
- Speed Square or Combination Square: Essential for ensuring all your cuts and assemblies are perfectly square.
- Circular Saw or Table Saw: For making precise, straight cuts on your plywood sheets. A table saw offers greater precision but a circular saw with a guide can also work well.
- Jigsaw: Useful for any intricate cuts or adjustments, though primarily straight cuts are needed here.
- Drill/Driver: To pre-drill holes and drive screws.
- Pocket Hole Jig System: Absolutely necessary if using pocket hole screws, ensuring strong and precise angled holes.
- Clamps: Various sizes of clamps will hold pieces securely in place while glue dries or screws are driven, ensuring accurate alignment.
- Sanding Blocks or Orbital Sander: To smooth edges and surfaces before finishing or upholstering.
- Staple Gun (Heavy-Duty): Indispensable for upholstery work, to securely attach foam, batting, and fabric.
- Utility Knife or Fabric Scissors: For cutting foam and fabric.
- Safety Glasses and Hearing Protection: Always wear appropriate safety gear when operating power tools.
Step-by-Step Construction Guide
Follow these detailed steps to build your robust and beautiful King Size Upholstered Storage Bench.
Step 1: Attach Center Dividers to One Side
Begin by constructing the foundational frame of your bench. Take one of the long side pieces of plywood and align the center divider pieces. These dividers are crucial for adding structural integrity and creating individual storage compartments within the bench. Apply a generous bead of wood glue along the edges of the dividers where they will meet the side panel. Then, securely attach the inside dividers to this side piece.
- For a Painted or Stained Finish: If you intend to paint or stain the “box” exterior, use pocket hole screws from the inside of the dividers into the side panel. This method ensures that no screw heads are visible from the outside, resulting in a clean, professional finish.
- For an Upholstered Finish: If you plan to upholster the entire box, you can use traditional wood screws. Drive them directly through the side panel into the dividers. The beauty of this approach is that the screw heads will be completely concealed later by the batting and fabric, so aesthetics aren’t a concern at this stage.
- Ensure Proper Alignment: Make sure there is a 3/4″ reveal (an overhang or recess) on the bottom edge of the dividers. This reveal is important for later steps when attaching the bottom panel. Use clamps to hold the pieces firmly in place while the glue sets and you drive the screws.
Step 2: Attach End Panels
With the center dividers in place, it’s time to add the end panels to the assembled side and dividers. These end pieces will cap off the structure and further solidify the frame. Carefully align the end panels flush with the top and bottom edges of the side piece. Unlike the dividers, there should be no reveal on the ends; they should sit perfectly flush.
- Adhere with Glue and Screws: Apply wood glue to the mating edges of the end panels and the side/divider assembly.
- Match Fastening Method: Use screws following the exact same method you applied in Step 1. If you used pocket holes for a painted finish, continue with pocket holes for the ends. If you opted for through-screws for an upholstered finish, use them here as well. Ensure all connections are tight and secure for a sturdy bench frame.
Step 3: Attach the Second Side Panel
Now, complete the main box structure by attaching the second long side panel. This step effectively closes up the rectangular frame, creating the foundational box for your storage bench.
- Mirror Previous Steps: Follow the exact same method you used to attach the dividers and end panels in the previous steps. Apply wood glue to all mating edges (dividers and end panels) before carefully positioning the second side panel.
- Secure All Connections: Use either pocket hole screws or wood screws, depending on your chosen finish, to firmly attach the second side. Ensure all corners are square and the entire box is rigid and stable. Clamping the assembly during this stage can be very helpful for maintaining alignment.
Step 4: Attach the Bottom Panel
The bottom panel provides the base for your storage compartments and adds significant structural integrity to the bench. It is designed to fit snugly inside the assembled box.
- Positioning the Bottom: Carefully fit the bottom panel up into the box. It should rest on the 3/4″ reveal you created on the bottom of the center dividers in Step 1. This ensures a recessed bottom, protecting your floors and giving a clean look.
- Apply Wood Glue: Apply wood glue along all edges of the bottom panel where it will meet the side panels, end panels, and center dividers.
- Secure with Screws:
- Drive wood screws up through the bottom panel into the center dividers to secure the internal structure.
- If you are not upholstering the exterior, use pocket hole screws to secure the bottom to the sides and ends from the inside of the bench, ensuring no visible fasteners.
- If you are upholstering, you can drive wood screws directly through the side and end panels into the bottom piece. These will be covered by the upholstery later.
Ensure the bottom is flush and creates a strong, stable base.
Step 5: Secure Lid Cleats
Lid cleats are essential for keeping the bench lid securely in place when closed, preventing it from sliding off and ensuring a neat appearance. These small strips of wood create a recess for the lid to sit into.
- Prepare the Cleats: Cut small cleats from hardwood or plywood. These should be sized to fit just inside the perimeter of the bench’s opening.
- Attach Cleats to the Lid: Attach these cleats to the underside of the lid. When placed on top of the box, there should be approximately a 3/4″ recess on three sides of each cleat. This design allows the cleat to sit inside the box, precisely positioning the lid.
- Consider Hinges: You have the option to add hinges to your lid or leave it as a lift-off top. Adding hinges makes accessing the storage contents easier and more convenient, especially if you plan to access it frequently. If you prefer a simpler design or less frequent access, a lift-off lid secured by the cleats works perfectly well.
Step 6: Finish Your King Size Upholstered Storage Bench
This final stage is where your bench truly comes to life, taking on its desired aesthetic and functionality.
- Upholster the Bench Top: This is a crucial step for achieving that luxurious, comfortable feel.
- Cut your foam to the exact dimensions of the lid, ensuring a snug fit.
- Adhere the foam to the lid using spray adhesive.
- Wrap the foam and lid with batting, pulling it taut and stapling it securely to the underside of the lid. This creates a smooth, rounded edge and prevents the foam from shifting.
- Finally, drape your chosen fabric over the batting, ensuring the pattern is aligned and the fabric is pulled tight and smooth. Staple the fabric securely to the underside of the lid, working from the center outwards and carefully folding corners for a clean, professional finish.
- Finish the Bench Box:
- If Upholstering the Box: Wrap the entire bench box in batting and then your chosen fabric, using a heavy-duty staple gun. Take care with corners and edges to create a seamless, tailored look.
- If Painting or Staining the Box: Thoroughly sand all exterior surfaces and edges of the bench box. Apply your desired primer, paint, or wood stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure even coats and a smooth finish. Seal with a protective topcoat if desired.
- Add Bumpers: Don’t forget this small but important detail! Attach felt pads or rubber bumpers to the bottom corners of the bench to protect your floors from scratches and allow for easier movement.
Customization and Finishing Touches
The beauty of a DIY project is the ability to personalize every detail. Once the core structure is complete, consider these options to truly make your King Size Upholstered Storage Bench your own:
- Fabric Choices: Explore different textures and patterns. Velvet can add a touch of glamour, linen offers a natural and airy feel, while performance fabrics are excellent for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and children.
- Leg Styles: While not explicitly part of the original plans, you could easily add decorative furniture legs to elevate the bench and match existing furniture styles.
- Interior Organization: Add small, removable bins or custom dividers within the storage compartments for even better organization of smaller items.
- Lid Mechanism: For added safety and convenience, especially if children will be using the bench, consider installing gas struts or soft-close hinges that prevent the lid from slamming shut.
- Exterior Embellishments: If painting, consider adding decorative trim, routing an edge profile, or even applying stencils for a unique design element.
Conclusion: Your New Custom Storage Solution Awaits
And just like that, you’ve completed a fantastic woodworking project! Building your own King Size Upholstered Storage Bench is a rewarding endeavor that results in a highly functional, beautiful, and personalized piece of furniture for your home. It’s a testament to your craftsmanship and an intelligent solution to common storage and seating dilemmas. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also gain immense satisfaction from creating something with your own hands.
For more advanced building tips and to hone your woodworking skills, be sure to explore the valuable resources in the Cabinet Making 101 posts. And if you’ve used these plans to create your own stunning bench, we’d love to see your work! Share your progress and final creations by uploading photos on The Sawdust Diaries to inspire fellow DIY enthusiasts. Your efforts in visiting, sharing, tweeting, and pinning our projects truly help us continue to provide free plans and tutorials, fostering a vibrant community of makers. Happy building!
