Build a Bench for $30

I have been redoing my foyer for quite awhile now and I wanted to do it on a budget . . .

a very small budget.

Unfortunately I could figure out exactly what I wanted.

So, I put pen to paper and started brainstorming.

I do that a lot . . .

After looking at all my options (and prices) for seating . . .
seating that really won't be used on a daily basis but would still look nice.
I decided to build my own bench
on a budget of . . .

$30.00
 for the bench itself


and
the pillows and fabric I already had.

SUPPLIES
*the supplies depends on the size of the bench*
{My bench is 18 inches (from the bottom of the legs to the top of the bench) x 48 inches long x 24 inches deep}

3 - 1x4x6
1 - 1/2x24x48 pc of plywood, mdf, etc
*as mentioned above I was on a strict budget and all the legs were either ugly at my price OR pretty but more expensive, so I improvised on these too*
3 - deck rails(!) 36 inches long
wood glue
paint or stain or both
sandpaper
wood screws
nails and nail gun
miter or compound miter saw
measuring tape
wood buttons
wood filler

1. you want to map out where you want the braces and bench skirt to be attached. I wanted my skirting to be 1 inch in from the edge of the bench seat. Plus I wanted all the wood screws to be counter sunk on the seat area.

2. Cut wood to size for skirting making sure to miter the corners, this gives a more finished look, then glue and nail.

3. Then cut your braces to length.

4. Use your legs as a template to make sure the braces are in the proper place to support the bench; then glue and nail.

5. Now place the (rectangle) skirt w/supports on the bench where you marked it off. Making sure to line everything up. Clamp into place and drill you holes in the bench top.

6. Now the legs, measure and find center. Cut at your mark. THEN make sure they are all the same length. If the are NOT (mine weren't) go by the length of the shortest, mark the longer ones and cut; make sure to cut at the top of the rail NOT the bottom

7. Now before everything is glued and screwed I like to stain,paint and/or distress. It makes life so much easier!

8. Once all that is finished and dried it is time to assemble.
9. Now you can Poly or wax.

OK . . . this is where y'all give my DH applause.
He builds (although I can do it myself, he works faster than I do) and I sand, paint and/or stain.


**DH has built me a second one for the Dining Room**
(which you will see in a later post)