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How to Build A Pretty & Easy DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench

I LOVE this easy DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench Build Plan made with cheap turned legs. It’s a beautiful bench you can paint or stain.

Easy DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench Build Plan

Hi guys! Today I have a beautiful small bench build that’s perfect for anyone that is new to woodworking OR anyone that just wants a quick and easy build plan.

This bench is such an easy build for anyone new to woodworking. It’s simply store bought turned legs connected together with 4 1″x3″ boards (rails) to make the frame. Then the top is a plywood build. It almost couldn’t be any easier than that.

For this Easy DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench Build Plan, I picked up some pretty $6 table legs from Lowe’s. $6 for turned legs, guys! I can’t pass a deal like that up.

You can use any style of leg you like, just remember to make the height of the bench somewhere between 16 and 19″ high. That height makes the bench a comfortable seat height for most people.

I added a No Sew Bench Seat to this build. But this bench would look great with a simple wood top too. In fact, I almost went with 2″ thick stained cedar, but the hubby wanted a soft bench for our entryway. It was easy enough to upholster this seat. And, I loved this leftover fabric from my DIY Upholstered Twin Headboards, anyway.  🙂

I LOVE this easy DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench Build Plan made with cheap turned legs. It's a beautiful bench you can paint or stain. Steps to build with a hard top or upholstered top.
Don’t forget to save this DIY on Pinterest.

I build benches a lot around here. My DIY L-Shaped Outdoor Bench and my DIY Modern Farmhouse Bench are my 2 most popular posts.

I also have a great DIY Outdoor Sofa from 2×4’s that I love. And this sweet DIY Upholstered Ottoman that is perfect in front of wing chairs and couches.!

Let’s get this DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench Build Plan started!

Tools Needed

Materials Needed

  • 2 – 11″ long 1″x3″ dimensional lumber, I used Select Pine
  • 2 – 30″ long 1″x3″ dimensional lumber, I used Select Pine
  • 15 3/4″ x 34 3/4″ x 3/4″ Cabinet Grade Plywood
  • 4 Turned Wood Legs – I Used These from Lowe’s  OR Amazon Has a Great Set of Turned Legs

Hello, DIY friends! You can find the FREE DIY Entryway Bench Build Plans here. These plans are for personal use only. They cannot be shared or sold without my permission. Please let me know if you have any questions and enjoy your build! 🙂

The printable plans include Full Steps and Measurements, 3D Drawings, and Materials List.


DIY Entryway Bench Woodworking Steps

The finished bench will be 34 3/4″ wide and 15 3/4″ deep. Depending on the legs you use and the type of top you decide to build, the height of the bench will be between 15″ and 19″ high.

Step 1

Cut 2 – 11″ long pieces of 1″x3″ and 2 – 30″ long pieces of 1″x3″. Then put 2 pocket holes on the ends of each of the 4 pieces.

Build an easy Modern Farmhouse Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome

Step 2

Wood glue, clamp, and screw one of the short rails (11″) to a leg. Then do the same for the leg on the other side of the rail. Make sure that the top of the rail is level with the top of the legs.

Build an easy Modern Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome
Use that clamp to help you glue and screw the legs on to the rails.

Step 3

Follow the same steps to connect the other short rail to the other 2 legs. Make sure you use wood glue and screws for a strong frame.

Step 4

Now that each of the short sides of this DIY Entryway Bench Plan are built, connect them with the long sides (also called rails) using wood glue and screws.

Build an easy Modern Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome
After the short sides are assembled, attach the long sides (rails).
Build an easy Modern Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome
Frame assembled and ready for a seat base and paint.

Step 5

Now you have a completed frame. You can add the plywood top. Use the 15 3/4″ x 34 3/4″ x 3/4″ Cabinet Grade Plywood as the wood top. Glue and brad nail your seat board to the frame. Make sure it is centered on the frame before nailing it in place.

If you want this bench to have a wood top, you can iron on some edge banding to hide the plywood edge. Or, hide the edges with molding like I did on my DIY Coffee Table Build Plans with Turned Legs.

If you want an upholstered seat on your bench just leave the plywood top as is after gluing and nailing it down. I have the steps for the easy no sew upholstery in the next section of this tutorial.

I LOVE this easy DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench Build Plan made with cheap turned legs. It's a beautiful bench you can paint or stain. Steps to build with a hard top or upholstered top.
UPDATE: See the Before and After 2 Story Foyer Makeover in another post.

Now that your Easy DIY Entryway Bench is built, you’re ready to finish it off. 🙂

Painting Steps

I painted the frame of my entryway bench with 2 coats of Behr’s Mammoth Mountain Eggshell using this DIY chalk paint recipe to turn latex paint into quick drying chalk paint.

Be sure to sand with a fine grit between coats. Then I protected the finish with 1 coat of a clear protective finish spray. Spray top coats are just easier with curvy legs. 🙂

This color of paint is probably not for everyone. BUT, I have more than 25 step by step beginner furniture painting tutorials if you want more ideas for painting your DIY wood bench.

How to Upholster the Bench Top Seat

Step 1

Cut the 3″ foam to the exact size of your seat base. I use my large bread knife for this. Then use Spray Adhesive to glue the foam to the seat base.

Build an easy Modern Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome
That big serrated blade cuts through foam like butter. 🙂

Step 2

Cut your batting to fit over the foam on the top and sides. You just want it to reach the bottom of the foam, but not go over. Spray adhesive to the foam top. Spread the batting smoothly across the top. Then spray each of the 4 sides and glue them down. You should have 4 corners sticking out now. Trim that extra batting off and any excess at the bottoms.

Build an easy Modern Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome
You can see the batting, foam and wood seat base on top of the frame here.

Step 3

Cut your fabric to hang about 2″ lower than the seat base on all 4 sides. Fold the fabric under and staple it directly to the seat base. You want it to be pulled tightly across the top.

So, I always start by doing 3 staples in each short side. 1 in the middle then near each end, pulled tightly. Then I do the same on the long sides.

Build an easy Modern Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome
The arrows show where I put those first 3 staples in on each side.

From there, you can keep pulling the fabric tight and folding under across each of the 4 sides. You just want to cover the seat base edge with fabric, but not let it hang under that board.

This is an easy way to upholster a bench top. You can see all of the fabric as you work to make sure it looks great. And, it’s easy to replace later, when you want a new look.

Don’t forget, if you feel like the fabric looks lumpy or messed up, you can always remove the staples in a section to fix it. After I was finished stapling, I used fabric glue to attach a ribbon all around the bench, to hide the staples.

To tell you the truth, I’m not loving that dark blue. I really wanted a powder blue velvet ribbon. I think I’ll order one and replace that soon. Who doesn’t need an excuse to use a velvet ribbon, right?

Side note on the upholstery: You could skip the ribbon and staple the fabric to the bottom of the seat base. You’ll have to work from the bottom to get the staples in. AND, I didn’t like the idea of being able to feel staples if I put my fingers under the seat.

I LOVE this easy DIY Upholstered Entryway Bench Build Plan made with cheap turned legs. It's a beautiful bench you can paint or stain. Steps to build with a hard top or upholstered top.
Don’t forget to save this DIY on Pinterest.
Build an easy Modern Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench today. Can be painted or stained and upholstered or hard top. This is an easy build for beginners. The legs are from Lowe's. #DIYBench #Entryway #EntrywayBench #UpholsteredBench #BedBench #AbbottsAtHome
I’m loving that bench. I think I’ll build a matching entryway table soon.

That’s it! So glad you stopped by to see this Easy DIY Entryway Bench Build Plan.


Looking for a a pretty DIY Laundry Table to organize your Laundry Room?

Free Plans for this DIY Laundry Table Over Washer and Dryer. This simple build hides those ugly machines, adds extra style and organization. And works as a Laundry Folding table too! #LaundryTable #LaundryFoldingTable #DIYFurniture #LaundryRoomIdeas #AbbottsAtHome

Or this beautiful DIY Chunky Leg Farmhouse Bench for inside your house.

Farmhouse Style DIY Upholstered Bench Plan with Tongue & Groove shelf. Makes a great end of bed bench, dining table bench, living room coffee table or entry bench.

If you need a great little desk for your elementary age kids. Check out this DIY Childrens Desk with Storage Drawers.

Full tutorial, build overview video, and printable plans for this beautiful DIY Childrens Desk Plans with Storage Drawers.

Or, this easy DIY Kids Play Tent from PVC Pipes.

Plans to Build this easy PVC Pipe Tent with drop cloth cover. PVC pipe play house tent build for kids. #PVCTent #PVC #KidsTent

Here’s a few more DIY bench projects that you might like from some of my blogger friends.
No-Sew Tufted Bench Makeover
Farmhouse Bench
5 Quick and Easy DIY Bench Makeovers
3 Chair Bench


Feeling inspired? Grab the printable Quick and Easy DIY Entryway Bench Build Plan and get building. Have fun and let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.

Mary-The Boondocks Blog

Wednesday 26th of September 2018

This would be perfect for my house, with that beautiful color!!

Stephanie

Thursday 27th of September 2018

Thanks, Mary. You should get that paint. It's so pretty!

Sam

Monday 17th of September 2018

Oh I love this so much Stephanie!! Now that I'm over my nail gun phobia I need to get my hands on all the Kreg goodies!! Such an awesome tutorial!!

Stephanie

Tuesday 18th of September 2018

You'll love building, Sam! I highly recommend it. :)

Debrashoppeno5

Monday 17th of September 2018

You did a great job on the bench. It looks so comfy.

Stephanie

Tuesday 18th of September 2018

Thanks, Debra. It is!

tarahlynn

Monday 17th of September 2018

Such a great vibrant color you chose too, love it!

Stephanie

Tuesday 18th of September 2018

Thanks!

acraftymix

Monday 17th of September 2018

It looks gorgeous Stephanie. Buying already turned legs always makes things so much easier. There's no way I would ever be able to make them with the tools we have and at least you know that they'll all be the same length too :D

Stephanie

Tuesday 18th of September 2018

LOL, so true. Cutting things evenly is half the battle. :)

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