Bathroom, Bedroom, Entrance Bench

This bench is surprisingly attractive given it's practical purpose & simple design.













The original purpose for this bench was to assist seniors dressing in the bathroom and to hold a supply of towels. 








However it is a good size to serve in the bedroom or home entrance.






The shop drawings show the dimensions of the bench and its parts. The bench is assembled around a 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" spruce frame to give strength and rigidity.






The bench was made from scrap lumber (pine and spruce with oak & cedar legs) and leftover hardware and used simplified joinery. It is held together by bolts, screws and good old carpenter's glue. 





I used  8  2 1/4" connector bolts to assembly the seat and shelf. The bolt in the seat frame is counter sunk 3/4" and installed before the frame is glued and screwed with 2 1/2" deck screws. 











The shelf does not have a frame thus the bolts do not need to be recessed.

Construction Sequence

1. Cut the 'slats' for the seat and shelf. Round the top and end edges of  the slats for the seat  1/4". Apply the finish to the top and sides of all the slats and leave the bottom unfinished for gluing.

2. Cut, drill (note recess for bolts) insert bolts in frame and assemble the frame with glue and 2 1/2" deck screws.

3. Cut and assemble the front and rear trim and legs with glue and 1 1/4' drywall screws and glue and screw the leg assembly to the frame 2' drywall screws.

4. Glue the slats into the seat using a 3/8" spacer & "clamp " the slats with heavy weights (bricks) while the glue is setting. Screw the slats to the frame with 3" drywall screws  up thru the frame. Predrill with 1/8" bit.

5. Cut, drill and assemble the shelf and glue and bolt it in place between the legs.

6. Glue, weight and screw (1 1/4" drywall screws) the slats into the shelf.

7. Apply finish, Varathane natural oil, to the exposed unfinished parts of the bench.