How to build a simple storage window seat
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
This window seat plan is a nice, easy way to build an attractive window seat for use in a dormer or some other recess in your home. I could see this plan being adapted to be used for a kitchen banquet or maybe even a trunk that could be used as a coffee table or just extra storage. Even though this window seat plan is of a simple design, you can easily add some detail to make it a little more traditional. Add some plywood cap molding on the inside of the recessed panels to give it a more formal look. Another way to give the window seat a more formal look is to add molding along the bottom edge of its top board and to add some standard door casing trim around the base to make the top and bottom seam a little more hefty which is a little more of an old world trait while the clean, light construction is a little more contemporary. If you are interested in the old world look for your window seat I would also suggest forgoing the paint for a wood stain. There is a formality found in a dark wood stain that paint can never match. Anyway you build this window seat be sure to take your time and scribe the edges like they suggest in the plan. That is the difference between a custom, built in look for your window seat and a tried-to-make-it-fit look. http://www.lowescreativeideas.com/0707/sit_and_stow.asp Recommended Tools
- table saw (or circular saw with straightedge guide)
- miter saw (or handsaw with miter box)
- power sander and various grits of sandpaper
- drill/driver with bits
- hammer with nail set
- hacksaw
- chisel
- clamps
- stud finder
- tape measure
- pencilÂ
Supply List - 3 (8-foot-long) 1 x 3
- 1 (8-foot-long) 1 x 8
- 3 (48- x 96-inch) sheets of 3/4-inch birch plywood
- 1 (8-foot-long) piece of 3/4-inch shelf edging
- 2 (7-foot-long) pieces of 3/8- x 1 1/4-inch primed pine stop moulding
- 1 box (2 1/2-inch) wood screws
- 1 box 6d finishing nails
- 1 (1/2- x 72-inch) continuous hinge
- wood glue (Titebond II, #41217)
- paintable wood filler
- paintable latex caulk
- primer
- paintÂ
General Information - I know the project calls for a plunge cut with a circular saw but be careful. If you are not careful the circular saw can easily "kick back" which could result in more than one serious injury.