Project details
An 18" seat height and a 16" deep top make this a bench you can sit on while putting shoes on. The top is the full 36" width and sits on the two sides, which are 17.25" tall. The bottom runs between the sides at floor level, so it is 34.5" long.
Two dividers make three 11" cubbies, each with a shelf so two pairs of shoes stack per bay. Dividers and shelves are set back 3/4" from the front. If you want an open bench, drop the dividers and shelves and the remaining four parts use about 36 percent of the sheet.
Additional materials
| Part | Size (in) | Quantity | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat pad | 36 × 16 | 1 | 2" foam and fabric over 1/2" plywood | Optional. Screw the pad base to the top from below. |
Cutting sequence
- Rip a 16" strip
The top, sides, and bottom are all 16" wide. One rip the length of the sheet covers all four.
- Crosscut top and bottom, then the sides
Cut 36" and 34.5" first, then the two 17.25" sides from the rest of the strip.
- Rip the dividers and shelves
Dividers at 15.25" and shelves at 15" come out of the remaining width.
- Fit the dividers before the shelves
Attach the sides to the bottom, fix the dividers so each cubby measures 11", then add the top and drop in the shelves.
Questions
How many benches fit on one sheet?
One bench uses about 58 percent of a sheet. Two benches need two sheets because the long top and bottom pieces do not pair up, but three benches fit on two sheets at about 87 percent yield.
Can I make it 48" wide with four cubbies?
Yes. A 48" top, 46.5" bottom, three dividers, and four shelves still fit on one sheet at about 75 percent yield. Enter those sizes in the calculator to see the layout.