This DIY small wooden bench has a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design that is perfect for any room! Customize the length of the seat and build to fit your space. Scroll down for the tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!


This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Benches are my favorite to build. They are so versatile. I’m pretty sure I’ve built a bench for every room in our house. This simple design is perfect for beginner woodworkers (like you and I!).

Even greater is the fact takes it only takes a few inexpensive boards, so if you mess up and have to start over, not much is lost but a few dollars and some wood scraps. (That’s not gonna happen, though!)

Make sure you sign up for my email list of beginner DIY-ers, so you can grab the free printable plans and put this cutie on your to-build list!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

DIY Small Wooden Bench

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Materials Needed Cuts

 

Tip: No table saw? Buy a plywood remnant at the big box store and have one of the workers cut it to size for you. You could also buy a 1×10 board. If you’re new to cutting angles, click here.

2×3 Cuts

  • Qty 4 @ 24” beveled at 45 degrees on one end.
  • Qty 4 @ 11” – drill pocket holes on both ends.
  • Qty 1 @ 36”- drill pocket holes on both ends
  • Qty 2 @ 14 3/8” from long point to long point beveled on both ends, non-parallel. Measure as you assemble for accuracy.

Plywood

Qty 1 @ 36” long x 11” wide

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!


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DIY Small Wooden Bench-Tutorial

Don’t forget- Always follow safety precautions when using power tools. Read the entire tutorial and go over the plans before you attempt the project. Use wood glue on all joints. Have fun!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!


Grab the FREE printable plans now!

Click here to get them sent to your Inbox

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!


Step 1

Make cuts and drill pocket holes. The graphic below shows all the cuts you need, except for the plywood seat (see cut list at the top of this post). I used 2×3’s for the frame because, if you ask me, 2×3 boards are the neglected ugly-duckling board of the Stud family. They’re small, yet sturdy. If you don’t want bulk, but want plenty of strength, 2x3s are your friends.

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Using  a Kreg Jig  drill pocket holes on each end on the 11″ pieces. Notice that the 24″ pieces are beveled at 45 degrees on one end, and the 14 3/8″ pieces are beveled on both. These angles are optional. You can always leave the ends straight. I’m not the greatest at cutting angles, but I did OK on this bench. I bet you can do it, too!

If you’re new to angles cuts and are ready to tackle them with this project, be sure to see  this post.

Step 2:

Build the Frame. The frame goes together nicely with pocket screws. This right angle clamp makes life a lot easier. It’s like having a third hand!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Once your pocket screws are in, you will end up with 2 U pieces. Be sure the bevels face each other and pocket holes face the floor.

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Coming along nicely!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

I recommend you leave the top piece (the one beveled on both ends) until the end for a more precise fit. I attached the top piece with a Nail Gun.

You will end up with two frames like the picture below once you’re finished attaching the boards.

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Step 3

Attach the crosspiece. I got a little ahead of myself and didn’t take a picture without the seat. The crosspiece will join the two frames together and will create support for the seat. You can adjust the length of this board if you want a longer bench.

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Step 4 

Attach plywood seat. The plywood seat will sit nicely on top of the crosspiece and frame. Again, you can add length to this piece if you want a longer bench. To secure in place, flip the bench over and screw in from the bottom with 2″wood screws.

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Now it’s just a matter of sanding and painting to your liking!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

I’m in love with the clean, modern, minimalist look! Do you have a place for this bench? I can feel your wheels turning!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

Be sure and pin this project so you don’t forget it!

This DIY small wooden bench with a modern, minimalist, multi-functional design is perfect for any room! Customize the length to your liking by simply cutting a longer piece for the seat. Click for the step-by-step tutorial and, as always, FREE PLANS!

If you’re a beginner woodworker or are considering exploring the world of power tools, be sure and join my email list. All of my projects are beginner-friendly! Are you ready to go from crafter to woodworker?

I can’t help but explain things in detail, with step-by-step instructions. I’m a teacher after all! If you like my style, we’re meant to be friends 🙂

If you have questions, or just want to say HI, be sure to leave a comment!

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Janice| Sawdust Sisters

Novice woodworker and serial Popcorn eater, Janice Thomas writes detailed tutorials that motivate others to "dare to try". Originally from Puerto Rico, Janice is fluent in Spanish and dreams of owning a beach house on the island someday! Janice currently lives in Utah with her husband and children, where she works as a university professor.

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