🖼️
The project:
When we bought our townhouse our goal was to create a more functional area that made the most of the space for our growing family. Along with the built-in bench seat, we replaced the old scratched timber flooring with a light oak floor, painted the walls a softer white, added feature panelling to the staircase wall and exposed the natural beam. This is paired with the table which extends to allow more room when hosting. The result is a space where we eat, entertain, play board games and spend time together as a family.
- Materials:
- Tools:
- Step 1:
Step 1: Measure and Plan
- Measure the wall where the bench seat will be installed.
- Plan the overall length and divide the bench into storage boxes, each measuring 1200mm long x 400mm deep x 480mm high, which is a comfortable seating height (for us this was 7 boxes)
- Step 2:
Step 2: Build the Frames
- Cut the Pine Framing to size using the Ozito Drop Saw.
- Assemble seven individual box frames using the Ryobi Impact Driver, Ryobi Drill Driver and Screws.
- Check each frame is square before securing it together.
- Step 3:
Step 3: Install the Bench Base
- Position each frame along the wall
- Join the frames together to create one continuous bench seat, ensuring everything is level and securely fixed.
- Step 4:
Step 4: Install the Bench Lids
- Get the Panels to fix as bench lids (they are already the right size)
- Sand the edges smooth using the Ryobi Orbital Sander.
- Attach each lid with the Hinges, allowing every section to open independently for hidden storage.
- Step 5:
Step 5: Install the Ripple Panels
- Cut the Contours Ripple Panels to suit the front of the bench.
- Fix the panels to the frames using the nail gun, ensuring the profile aligns neatly across each section.
- Step 6:
Step 6: Paint the Bench
- Fill any nail holes and lightly sand where required.
- Apply White Paint to the bench frame and ripple panels using a paint brush, building up coats until an even finish is achieved.
- Step 7:
Step 7: Finish the Timber Tops
- Sand the bench lids around the edges smooth
- Apply Timber Varnish with an oil brush, following the timber grain and allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
- Allow to dry and then style.
