How to build simple banquette with flip up storage?

WallyP

Just moved into a new rental and it’s quite small, so planning to build a banquette in corner under a window for more sitting area. Plan is to build 2 frames ladder style with studs between long plates at 1800x450hx540w and a smaller moveable 630x450x540 box to finish the length of the back wall. Using 70x35 untreated pine to save space for the flip up storage, with 2 or 3 support squares along the length of the long boxes. Can’t fix to wall as it’s a rental so needs to be standalone. Then planning to use the brown acacia multi use panels (rather than plywood, don’t like the lam edges look and have found it hard doing edge banding in the past) as hinged flip up lids by cutting a peice to use as a cleat and using piano hinges along the length. Was just going to use 6mm ply and finish nail to the frame and varnish, try make look nice. There’s also skirting boards that stick out about 22mm at widest point, so was going to jigsaw that peice out of a couple of dressed pine pieces as trim at the sides there.
Few questions - Was wondering if there’s any changes or tips I should make to the plan? Wanting it to look nice but not go too crazy with spending on nice hardwood panelling etc. Also, I cannot for the life of me find a stockist for untreated pine tumber near me! Only have the weekend to get this done so just gojng to use whatever’s in stock at my local Bunnings in Nowra. Was thinking of using 70x35 h2, but as well storing stuff under there is there a way to shave it off or seal it so the blue chem treatment doesn’t leech out? Also does Bunnings sell some sort of felt pads to put under the plates that touch floor, what sort of screw jig should I use, and how long you think this might take?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions, it’s a busy time at the moment and although I promised to do this project I’m now regretting it haha!!

Thanks! Wally

JacobZ

Hi @WallyP,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

I put your idea into an AI image generator, and this is what it came up with -

Is that pretty close to what you were thinking?

In terms of framing material, if you had the time, I'd suggest speaking to the team at Bunnings Nowra's Trade or Special Orders desks about getting some lengths of untreated 70x35 in. While they do not keep them in stock, they are certainly available within our network and the team would be able to get them to you given enough time.

If you couldn't wait, then Nowra does stock these 70 x 35mm 0.9m Short Pine Run Of Mill. If you alter the design of the frame a little bit, you could certainly use these for the build.

I wouldn't recommend trying to plane or sand the H2 treatment out of treated framing. The treatment does seep into the timber a bit so it can't reliably be removed that way. If the options I've mentioned above don't suit, H2 framing can certainly be used for an indoor project like this. If you're concerned about the appearance of the blue treatment inside the storage compartments, you could seal the exposed framing with paint.

There are a wide variety of options for https://www.bunnings.com.au/products/building-hardware/general-hardware/furniture-floor-protection/floor-surface-protection . Have a look and see what you think.

Not sure that you'd need any kind of screw jig for this one. The design, if it is like the one above, is relatively simple and wouldn't require any complex angles or difficult fixing that might require jigs. Is there a particular aspect of the build that you think might require one?

In terms of time, it would be difficult to say because this often comes down to planning, preparation, your skill level and the tools that are available to you. I've built a bit of furniture in my time and spent a number of years in construction and have a relatively full tool kit to work with, so what I could do might be very different to you. In saying this, I would be giving myself at least two full eight hour days to get this done, maybe even a third when considering staining/oiling the furniture and the time this would take.

You might like to check out the following posts for a bit of extra information and inspiration -

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/343862/dining-banquette-seating

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/315850/how-to-make-a-dining-bench-seat

Also, allow me to tag some helpful members to see what they think and if they have any advice to offer - @DIY4Knuckleheds, @Nailbag, @WendyL, @SarahK1996.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob