Built-In Porch Seating

A
by A
10 Materials
$500
3 Days
Medium
My sun porch is a multipurpose room at my house. First and foremost, it is my grandkid's domain when they are visiting. When I entertain, it is my overflow room. We often eat our meals out there, and it's the best place in the house to hear the rain falling. I wanted it to look better than it did and I needed storage for blankets, toys and games. I stain-painted the walls green to give it some color, pulled up the rugs and put down a vinyl floor, and then I got to work on the built-in seating. I have never built anything on my own before, but I have helped out and paid close attention to my dad when he did things. This was my first...from design to completion - even the striped pillows. I was most excited to see how sturdy it turned out...I hope I don't tire of it because it's not going anywhere.
This is the "before" photo...just before the floor was put down. This is the corner that the seating will occupy.
To begin, I made a base frame out of 2x4s. I used a new toy...a pocket hole jig. It made strong joints, which I believe made a solid foundation for the bench. The bench size was 4' in length on one end and 8' in length on the other. the two ends will be supported by a table.
The table was built first. the panels against the wall were screwed into the wall at the studs for strength. I painted it before moving on to the next steps. The table top was eventually stained and molding applied to finish it up. I also cut out a hole in the back of the top to feed electric cords through to an outlet inside the box.
It was important that I knew where the studs were in the wall. Certain support pieces were screwed into the studs so that they could carry the weight. Without doing this, the bench would not have been very stable. I also placed 2x4s in the base where the dividers were going to be placed. I then marked out their locations with tape so that I could place the dividers more easily.
The next pieces to go on were the bench bottom and back. The bottom was screwed into the 2x4s in the base and the back was screwed into the wall studs. All screws were counter sunk so that they would not get in the way of the other pieces. Two coats of primer and two coats of paint followed.
The dividers are the meat of my support system for this bench. I made frames out of 2x2s and clad each side with 3/4" thick plywood. This made the dividers a solid 3" thick. They were painted and placed evenly on the base and screwed into the base and the back using pocket holes. Painted trim was applied to the fronts and along the top of the base.
After painting the bench end panel and the bench seat, they were installed in that order. First by screwing the end panel into the base, then setting the seat over the dividers. Next, I screwed the end panel into the edge of the seat and then the seat into the dividers and the back. The seat connects all components of the bench. I used 1/2" wooden buttons to cover up the screw holes in any of the visible areas of the bench.
All of these steps were done for each leg of the bench.
The baskets are only there to ensure that I measured the space between the dividers right. Whew! It was close!
Remember that corner of the porch from the first photo? Well here it is. I won't say it was easy, but after a lot of thought and patience, it was definitely a manageable project for this grandma.
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3 of 4 questions
  • Jan Jan on Sep 14, 2018

    I assume you bought some firm foam for your seat cushions....could you give me details on the type of foam you bought and how you covered it with the fabric? Is the seat fabric water-repellent, stain-resistant? Did you also make the pillows? Again details of type of pillow as they seem very long pillows which on would not normally see in a Linen or Bed and Bathroom store...where did you buy the long pillows? I am a Canadian so a Canadian source would be appreciated. thanks so much.

    You did a fabulous job. We JUST bought a cottage and have a Muskoka room like yours so I'm toying with the idea of doing what you have done with a little tweak

    Jan D



  • JD JD on Sep 14, 2018

    Wondering how long the project took to complete from start to finish - not including assembling all of the materials.

  • Dor34147429 Dor34147429 on Oct 09, 2018

    How can You get my husband to enclose our deck and build this for us. It would give us so much more storage and more room for when the family gets together.

Comments
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3 of 54 comments
  • A A on Oct 01, 2018

    Thanks!

  • Rob33852331 Rob33852331 on Oct 07, 2018

    I love this. I just went and bought furniture but I still don't have enough seating. This idea is for me. I was a daddy's girl he could make or build anything so I am goingg toive this a try.

    • A A on Oct 07, 2018

      I can totally relate!

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