Breakfast Room

DIY Upholstered Dining Room Bench – How To Build The Frame

Last Updated on October 6, 2017 by Kristi Linauer

You know those two stretches of blank wall in my breakfast room on either side of the pantry door?

breakfast room - front to back - 9 - painted walls and trim

Before I could consider my breakfast room completely finished, I had to address those areas. I considered several options for those spaces. At one time, I thought about adding built-in storage, but I decided against that for a few reasons. The biggest reason is because I was concerned that it would make the room feel quite a bit smaller.

So after considering all of the options, I finally decided on a simple look where I can bring in some needed color on this side of the room — upholstered benches, pillows, framed artwork, and interesting lighting. And since I love symmetry, I’m doing the same thing on both sides. Well, the artwork will be different. Or perhaps it’ll be a diptych, and I’ll hang one piece on either side. I haven’t really decided yet. But it won’t be completely identical.

So the artwork is still undecided. But what I do know for sure is that I need two upholstered benches for this plan. I found several pretty benches that were the exact size I wanted (48″ x 18″), like this one from World Market

dining bench from Word Market

…but I just wasn’t satisfied with any of the colors I found. So naturally, I decided to build my own so that I could get a customized look and color that I wanted.

If you’ve never build furniture before, you probably think that this is a really advanced project for people who have lots of woodworking experience. But I’m here to tell you that with the right tools, this project ranks as one of the easiest building projects I’ve done. If you’re just building one bench, you can easily get it done in one day. A weekend, at most.

The necessary tool to make this project very easy is a Kreg Jig. Click here to see the set that I have. I also have a right angle clamp (click here for that), which is sold separately and pretty invaluable in building something like this bench.

I want my bench to seat two people, so I made it 48 inches long by 18 inches wide. The basic parts to build the base for a bench that size are four 15.25-inch legs (from Home Depot), two 1 x 3 boards cut to 43.5 inches long, two pieces of decorative trim (you can use casing or baseboard trim) cut to 43.5 inches long, two 1 x 3 boards cut to 13.5 inches long, and two pieces of decorative trim cut to 13.5 inches long.

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 1

Using the Kreg Jig I drilled two pocket holes into each end of each 1 x 3 stretcher boards…

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 2

Then I placed each stretcher board on my work surface so that the pocket holes were face down, and added wood glue to the top…

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 3

And then I glued and nailed the decorative piece of trim on top of the stretcher boards using 1-inch 16-gauge finishing nails.

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 4

With all four of the stretcher + trim pieces glued and nailed, I was ready to start assembling the bench base. I started with the short ends by placing the short stretcher piece face down with the pocket holes facing up, and after gluing the ends to the legs with wood glue (making sure that the pieces were flush on top), I attached the pieces using Kreg screws through the pocket holes.

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 5

Here’s what it looked like from the front…

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 6

Then I made the other leg-stretcher-leg section for the other end the exact same way, and then attached those two sections with the long stretchers, again using wood glue and pocket screws.

Here’s what it looked like at that point…

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 7

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 8

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 9

To finish up the base, I added wood glue to the top edges of the stretchers and legs…

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 10

And then added a piece of 3/4″ plywood that I had cut to fit the top. I secured it with 1.25-inch 16-gauge finishing nails.

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 12

At this point, the base is ready for whatever finish is desired. I originally tried to stain the base (which you can see from the back right leg), but I didn’t like the way it was looking so I let it dry and then primed the whole thing with oil-based primer. Today I’ll sand it smooth, give it a couple of coats of paint, and then move on to the upholstering the top of the bench.

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 11

And of course, any time I bring anything new into the house, my cat thinks it’s for her. 😀

how to build an upholstered dining room bench - 13

So I’m hoping to get both of these benches done today, but whether or not that’s feasible depends on how I trim them. I’m debating a double welt cord, which would be the easier option, or a nailhead trim, which would be the time-consuming option. If I go the nailhead route, I probably can’t get them both completely finished today, but I can certainly try!

UPDATE:

The benches are finished! Click here to see the finished benches as well as instruction for upholstering the top.

DIY upholstered dining room bench seat - 1

 

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43 Comments

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  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Cate
    May 16, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Beautiful! Can’t wait to see the finished benches! You’re an amazingly talented person 😉 Thank you for sharing!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Tricia
    May 16, 2017 at 9:00 am

    Wow! Are there any skills you DON’T have? You can do it ALL!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Shelley
    May 16, 2017 at 9:04 am

    You are amazing!! Will you need to add a door stopper to your garage door to prevent it from banging into your bench? I’d hate to see all that hard work damaged.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi
      May 16, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      I probably won’t bother with that since the door won’t be there much longer. Once the garage is converted into my studio, that door will be removed.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sheri Hepworth
    May 16, 2017 at 9:10 am

    No lie. Just last week, I said I wanted to build my own coffee table. My adopted son doesn’t think I can do it. I pointed out that my bedside table was hand built by me before he came to live with us. I told him I have a favourite DIY decorator who gives me great tutorials. I just wished she’d show how to build a bench or coffee table!! And here it is!! Thank you so much! Summer project!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Susan B
    May 16, 2017 at 9:16 am

    Very nice. I build with my Kreg all the time. I don’t have the one you do, but it works and is AWESOME. I wish I had your ability to pick trim, I never find what I am looking for, sigh.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Val
    May 16, 2017 at 9:17 am

    “And of course, any time I bring anything new into the house, my cat thinks it’s for her.”

    Yes, of course it is! 🙂 🙂 🙂

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Maggie
      May 16, 2017 at 12:56 pm

      My thoughts, exactly. Everything in my house is for the cat. I just pay the bills. lol

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    JILL NELSON
    May 16, 2017 at 9:20 am

    Can you tell me about how much this bench ran (just the wood portion – not including foam and material)? I realize wood costs vary location by location but would appreciate an estimate.

    I like that you’re using nicer wood, beautiful legs and moulding. Most DIY benches that I’ve seen (and made) use cheaper quality pine – which is fine – but I’m actually looking into making a similar bench to what you’ve made and wonder if I would be better off buying a store bought bench due to the added cost of materials. Thanks!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi
      May 16, 2017 at 9:30 am

      The legs were $10 each. The 1 x 3 stretcher boards are $10 for an 8-foot length (this size bench requires two of those). And the decorative trim was around $1.05/linear foot, and I needed 11 feet per bench. And the plywood was around $14 per piece. I bought the 2′ x 4′ pieces rather than the big 4′ x 8′ pieces. That way I just had to make one cut with my table saw to make it fit, since the pieces were already 48 inches long.
       
      So that makes the wood pieces for the base come in at around $85.55.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Kathy
        May 16, 2017 at 9:47 am

        Well worth $85.55 because it is made from solid wood and not pressboard type wood that most furniture pieces are made out of. It is just beautiful and I love it. I may very well copy you on this or have my woodworking husband do it for me. I refer him to your sight all the time…Thanks again for your step by step instructions.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        JILL NELSON
        May 16, 2017 at 9:50 am

        Thank you so much. I thought the price would be higher so I’m really pleased 🙂 I tend to focus on furniture legs – which happens to be the most expensive part of a build! Looking forward to seeing your final product!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Ann
    May 16, 2017 at 9:39 am

    I can’t imagine dreaming up a project, and then having the skills to just pop out to the work room and BUILD it! You truly are amazing, and very blessed. Now, one question, will your door not bang Into one of the benches ? I’m sure you have it all figured out though! I can’t wait to see them finished.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi
      May 16, 2017 at 2:01 pm

      That door won’t be there much longer. As soon as the garage is converted into my studio, the door will be removed. I’ll replace it with something that either slides open (pocket door, barn door, etc.) or a regular door that swings into the studio.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kristine Brown
    May 16, 2017 at 9:50 am

    Ooh La La!!! Love them!!!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Cathy
    May 16, 2017 at 9:51 am

    Very very nice indeed. Can’t wait to see how you finish the benches!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Justin
    May 16, 2017 at 10:08 am

    Why does it seem so much easier when someone shows you how to do it? I’ve kind of been avoiding the benches for my mud room. 😉

    About the nailhead trim… I wonder if there’s some sort of jig or nail gun that would make applying those easier? With the volume of nailhead trim you use, it’d almost be worth the price if there was such a device.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi
      May 16, 2017 at 2:04 pm

      I’ve only ever been able to find one nailhead gun, and it’s a pretty serious tool made for upholstery shops. The website didn’t even have a price on it. It said you have to contact them for a quote. That scared me off. 😀

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Chris
    May 16, 2017 at 10:22 am

    I can’t wait to see the finished project. I have a Kreg jig and never thought about a bench but you’re right, it makes it a pretty easy project.
    Whenever I see your breakfast room light from the angle in the top photo where I can see the half circle motif, I’m reminded about just how much I love it.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    heather
    May 16, 2017 at 10:43 am

    Thank you for the tutorial! I am planning to build a bench that will seat three and am just curious about how much weight you think this 48″ inch bench will be able to withstand?

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi
      May 16, 2017 at 2:06 pm

      I don’t know exactly, but I’m confident that it’ll hold two adults. On a bench wide enough for three adults, I’d definitely use six legs and center two of those legs in the middle of each long stretcher.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        CathyR
        May 16, 2017 at 3:46 pm

        Thanks for addressing that. I wondered how long you could make it before it needed a center supporting or more legs. Well done!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sharon C
    May 16, 2017 at 10:47 am

    Oh these will look gorgeous! Kristi your creativity, design and workmanship is again amazing! Looking forward to the finished reveal.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Carol
    May 16, 2017 at 11:35 am

    I love this Kristi!!! Great job:)
    Quick question: Any thought about putting a cross brace, across the middle, for stability? Or would this withstand my ACTIVE NINJA 6 year old boys jumps?

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi
      May 16, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      If you make it the way that I show in the post, with the 3/4″ plywood actually glued and nailed to the frame, then the plywood actually acts as a structural brace all around. There’s no need for any additional bracing.
       
      However, if you make it where you just do a simple wrap-and-staple upholstery job on the plywood and then attach it to the base with four or six screws after it’s upholstered, then it really doesn’t offer much (if any) structural support. In that case, you would need to add extra bracing to the base, such as corner bracing as well as a cross brace or two near the center of the bench.
       
      I personally prefer to glue and nail the plywood to the base specifically because I feel that it is the most structurally sound option. And it’s not any more difficult to upholster it with it already attached than it is to do a wrap-and-staple upholstery job and then attach it. In fact, I think this way might be a bit easier…just a bit.

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Carol Polson
        May 16, 2017 at 3:10 pm

        Okay. Thanks for getting back to me😃
        Eager to see the upholstery part next!

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Cheryl Smith-Bell
      May 16, 2017 at 5:55 pm

      You might go with 2″X3″ for your sides, instead of 1″X3″ or even 2″X4″ for your frame. Boys can be rowdy!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Theresa P
    May 16, 2017 at 11:54 am

    You totally “should” go with the nailhead trim! 😉 Just kidding! Do whatever you think looks best. 🙂 Love these! Great idea! And it goes without saying, great execution!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Marty W
    May 16, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    LOVE this project. You make me want to get my own power tools and go for it. Thanks for the great tutorial. I’m looking forward to seeing how you finish it up.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Susan
    May 16, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    Have you thought of or ever tried the nailhead trip “tape” like this https://actionup.com/shop/nail-head-trim-matching-nails/ ? That might make it easier.

    • Reply To This Comment ↓
      Kristi
      May 16, 2017 at 2:22 pm

      I don’t use nailhead strips like that because I can always (ALWAYS) tell the difference between nailhead strips and individual nailheads. On the strips, there are about four or five in a row that are fake (often plastic) nailheads, and then one real metal nailhead. The real ones are always slightly misaligned from the fake ones, and they’re also almost always a slightly different color. They stick out like sore thumbs on the finished piece. So my personal policy is that if I’m going to do nailhead trim, I just resign myself to the fact that it’s going to be a long process, but the result will be well worth the extra time. 🙂

      • Reply To This Comment ↓
        Marianne in Mo.
        May 16, 2017 at 6:19 pm

        Totally agree. Those nailhead strips look cheap.
        I love how you constructed the bench, I would have thought of the corner brace method. But doing the plywood top as you did makes more sense, and is sturdier as well! You are a wonder Kristi! 🙂

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Kathleen Rupp
    May 16, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    Awesome!!! Wow, it is going to be great!! I love your upholstery jobs. Can’t wait to see it finished!

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Charlene
    May 16, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    I’m thinking a Kreg pocket hole tool may be handy. There are many versions do you have any input for someone using it for stuff like you do? Picture frames benches etc.?

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    sherry
    May 16, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    Your post was just in time!!! I want to make a bench for our lake house table. It needs to be about 9′ long. So you think I would need to do a center support, if I made mine just like yours? I would love to see you do the railheads, cause that’s what I would like to do on mine. Then I can follow your instructions!!! ha ha Would you mind posting the link for the legs. I looked on the Home Depot site and could not find them. thanks for sharing.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    sherry
    May 16, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    I want to make a bench for our lake house table. It needs to be about 9′ long. So you think I would need to do a center support, if I made mine just like yours? I would love to see you do the railheads, cause that’s what I would like to do on mine. Then I can follow your instructions!!! ha ha Would you mind posting the link for the legs. I looked on the Home Depot site and could not find them. thanks for sharing.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Sue
    May 17, 2017 at 9:16 am

    Those benches will be perfect on either side of the pantry AND provide some extra seating. Can’t wait to see them completed.

  • Reply To This Comment ↓
    Laurie
    May 17, 2017 at 3:45 pm

    Oooh, me like! Are you going to do the diamond tufting on the top?