DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Shoe Storage Bench
FREE New Plan! An Easy to Build Shoe Storage Bench…
Now that we’ve had to massively downsize, storage is at a premium in our house! I thought it might be a great idea to create an entryway shoe rack that wouldn’t take up the whole area. The DIY furniture plans to build a shoe storage bench are super-simple with multiple cubbies for storing not only shoes but small items such as compact umbrellas, small tools, flashlights, etc. This build only requires a sheet of plywood and a couple of 1x2s with an option for a closed back using 1/4″ plywood, if desired. This inexpensive project can be completed over a weekend!
The cubby pieces are easy to assemble and fit together with notches, so a jigsaw or similar saw will be required as well as a circular saw or table saw to cut the plywood and a pneumatic nailer to drive the brad nails. The outer case and cubby sections are finished separately before fitting everything together – trust me, this makes things much easier!
Materials:
- 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws or 1-1/4″ regular screws (<– affiliate link!)
- 2″ brad nails
- Edge banding for the top (<– affiliate link!)
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Finishing supplies
Lumber:
- 2 – 1×2 at 8′
- 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood
- 1 – 2′ x 4′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood, optional
Cut List:
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 21-1/4″ – Sides
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 29-1/2″ – Bottom
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 19-1/2″ – Cubby Dividers
- 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 29-1/2″ – Cubby Dividers
- 2 – 1×2 at 21-1/4″ – Face Frame
- 2 – 1×2 at 28″ – Face Frame
- 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 13-3/16″ x 32″ – Top
- 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 20-1/4″ x 30-1/4″ – Back, optional
Notes About the Project:
Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the top before securing the top to the case.
Here are plans for another nifty storage bench: Maxwell Shoe Storage Bench…
Step One
Cut two strips off of the sheet of plywood at 11-15/16″ x 8′. Cut the pieces for the sides, bottom, and cubby dividers from these strips. (The sides, bottom and one of the the shorter dividers can be cut from one strip while the remaining dividers will be cut from the other strip.) Set the divider pieces aside…
If using pocket holes, set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in each end of the bottom piece. Secure the bottom to the sides, locating the bottom 1″ up from the bottom of the sides using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws.
If using regular screws, mark the position for the bottom on the outside of the side pieces and drill countersunk holes. Secure the bottom using glue and 1-1/2″ screws.
Step Two
Cut the pieces for the face frame. Secure the side pieces to the side of the case first, using glue and 2″ brad nails, then secure the top and bottom pieces. Approximately 1/4″ of the bottom shelf will be visible above the face frame.
Finish the case as desired.
Step Three
Cut the notches in the divider pieces. Finish the pieces, then assemble the dividers. Insert the dividers into the case, securing the sides and bottom with 2″ brad nails.
Step Four
Cut the piece for the top and finish as desired. Position the top on the case so that the back edge is flush with the back of the case while the front and sides overhang by approximately 1/2″. Secure the top to the case and top of the dividers using glue and 2″ brad nails.
Step Five
If closing the back of the bench, cut the piece for the back from the 1/4″ plywood. Secure to the back using glue and brad nails.
This is such an easy project that can be finished in so many different ways. I’m not entirely sure how I plan on finishing mine but I’m sure I’ll come up with something! Have questions about the DIY furniture plans to build a shoe storage bench? Leave a comment below!
