Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 2
MATERIALS: TOOLS:
(2) 2 x 2 x 8 Ft. Boards Tape Measure
(2) 1 x 12 x 6 Ft. Board Carpenter’s Square
(1) 1 x 4 x 8 Ft. Board Pencil
(3) 1 x 3 x 8 Ft. Board Drill
(9) 1 x 2 x 8 Ft. Board Miter Saw
(1) 30-inch Piano Hinge Jigsaw
2 ½-inch Exterior Pocket Screws Pocket Hole Jig
1 ¼-inch Exterior Pocket Screws Brad Nailer or Hammer
1 ¼-inch Exterior Brad Nails Clamps
Exterior Wood Glue Safety Glasses
Exterior Wood Filler Hearing Protection
150- and 220-grit Sandpaper Dust Mask
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 3
CUT LIST:
• (2) 2 x 2 @ 38 inches (back legs)
• (2) 2 x 2 @ 24 inches (front legs)
• (2) 2 x 2 @ 17 inches (arms)
• (2) 1 x 2 @ 17 inches (rails)
• (2) 1 x 12 @ 17 inches (sides)
• (2) 1 x 12 @ 46 ½ inches (front/back)
• (1) 1 x 4 @ 46 ½ inches (seat rail)
• (1) 1 x 2 @ 46 ½ inches (top rail)
• (2) 1 x 2 @ 14 ½ inches (stiles)
• (3) 1 x 2 @ 14 ½ inches (back rails)
• (3) 1 x 2 @ 20 ½ inches, cut at 45º angle (long X piece)
• (6) 1 x 2 @ 9 ½ inches, cut at 45º angle (short X piece)
• (12) 1 x 2 @ 8 inches, cut at 45º angle, not parallel (square piece)
• (2) 1 x 2 @ 46 ½ inches (cleats)
• (14) 1 x 3 @ 17 inches (slats)
• (3) 1 x 6 @ 46 ½ inches (seat)
• (2) 1 x 2 @ 46 ½ inches (front trim)
• (2) 1 x 2 @ 8 ¼ inches (front trim)
• (4) 1 x 2 @ 17 inches (side trim)
• (2) 1 x 4 @ 20 inches (arm rests)
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 4
STEP 1
Measure, mark, and cut the 2x2 back and front legs, 2x2 arms, 1x2 rails, and 1x12 sides to length. Drill ¾-
inch pocket holes into the 1x12 sides, position it as shown and attach to legs with 1 ¼-inch pocket screws
and wood glue. The 1x12 sides should be flush to the interior edge of the legs. Lay 1x2 rails on top of 1x12
sides as shown and attach with 1 ¼-inch brad nails and wood glue. Drill 1 ½-inch pocket holes into the ends
of the 2x2 arms and attach it to the legs with 2 ½-inch pocket screws and wood glue. Build two sides – they
should mirror each other.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 5
STEP 2:
Measure, mark, and cut 1x12 front and back boards to length. Drill ¾-inch pocket holes into the ends of
the 1x12 boards and attach to legs with 1 ¼-inch pocket screws and wood glue. The 1x12s should be flush
to the interior edges of the legs.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 6
STEP 3:
Measure, mark, and cut 1x4 seat rail to length. Position as shown (flush to the back board) and attach with
1 ¼-inch brad nails and wood glue.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 7
STEP 4:
Measure, mark, and cut 1x2 top rail, stiles, and bottom rails to length. Drill ¾-inch pocket holes and attach
as shown with 1 ¼-inch pocket screws and wood glue. You may not want to use glue on the top rail just
yet, in case you might need to disassemble and adjust it later, to fit the fretwork panels inside.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 8
STEP 5:
I recommend measuring the space where the fretwork panels will go and cutting according to your
measurements. Measure, mark, and cut X pieces as shown, mitering ends at a 45º angle. Instead of using a
tape measure here, it is best to hold the boards in place, mark, and cut to size to ensure the most precise
fit. Next, cut the 8-inch pieces, mitering the ends at a 45º angle, not parallel. Construct the fretwork panels
separately, using wood glue and clamps. Optional: toenail 1 ¼-inch brad nails to secure the pieces
together. Once the glue is dry, take the whole panel and insert it into place.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 9
STEP 6:
Place fretwork panels into place and secure with wood glue.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 10
STEP 7:
Measure, mark, and cut 1x2 cleats to length. Attach to front and back boards as shown with 1 ¼-inch brad
nails and wood glue.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 11
STEP 8:
Measure, mark, and cut 1x3 slats to length. Place inside bench and attach with 1 ¼-inch brad nails and
wood glue, spacing each slat approximately ¾ inches apart. *Tip: use a scrap 1x board as a spacer.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 12
STEP 9:
Measure, mark, and cut 1x6 boards to length. Edge-join the boards together with wood glue and clamp
until dry.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 13
STEP 10:
Center the piano hinge on the back edge of the seat, pre-drill pilot holes and screw hinge on. Take the seat
with the hinge on it and position it into place. Pre-drill pilot holes into the 1x4 seat rail and screw hinge on.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 14
STEP 11:
Measure, mark, and cut 1x2 trim to length. Attach to bench as shown with 1 ¼-inch brad nails and wood
glue.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 15
STEP 12 and 13:
Measure, mark, and using a jigsaw, cut armrests as shown. Attach to bench with 1 ¼-inch brad nails and
wood glue.
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Outdoor Storage Bench – Copyright © 2017 Jen Woodhouse / The House of Wood 16
Sand, stain or paint, and finish as desired.
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