How to Build Bench Seating for Bay Window/Nook/Banquette

Full instructions: gadgetsandgrain.com/2017/06/15...
Music
Cold Funk - Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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Hackbeat by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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Thingamajig by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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When you go to a restaurant, I imagine you'll ask for booth seating. But when you build your own banquette at your home, you'll always have a cozy place to cuddle up to with your family for game night, dinner, or taking a quick coffee break from life. Here's how you can build your own banquette:
What you'll need:
- 2 x 4 lumber to frame the banquette
- Cabinet-grade plywood
- Pine, board for trim pieces (I used 1 x 4's)
- Primer and paint color of your choice
- Caulk to seal the edges of the banquette where it meets the wall and floor
- Lots and screws and nails (types and sizes just depend what you're building)
Building a banquette is rather straightforward, and it really starts with a solid frame. You'll want to build something that can withstand years of jumping, sitting, nudging and pushing from all types of houseguests. I chose to build my frame as a standalone piece rather than mounting it - I didn't want the strain from people sitting on the banquette to be directed on the walls of my house. Building the banquette this way also gave me greater flexibility in assembling the frame outside of the home.
If you're familiar with framing, you'll know how pocket holes can really come in handy. They make for a really great joint between two pieces of wood. If you've never done pocket holes before, but you're willing to build your own banquette I highly recommend buying the Kreg pocket hole jig. There jigs the start as little as $20, but for a project like this where you will be drilling dozens of pocket holes, buying the hundred dollar Kreg Jig it will pay for itself after one project - trust me. And look at it this way: if you do one project like this with the K-4 jig, you will most likely do another.
For this project I measured the size of the banquette I wanted, and then translated that to the dimensions of the frame. This frame was built in the three different sections: the center, the left, the right. For many homes, you might be building your blanket into a 90° corner, and that is rather straightforward. In my case, my nook is basically one half of a hexagon, so to calculate the angles I used a digital bevel gauge so I could get a basic idea of how to cut my 2 x 4's and design frame.
If you are building a banquette into a room that has non-90-degree angles (like mine), you'll always want to divide the room angle by two so that your frames and sections will have equal depth.
For the height of the frame you'll also want to account for the thickness of any boards are going to place on top of the seating surface. In my case I wanted a seating height of 19 inches. I knew my plywood was going to be about an inch and a half thick, so that meant I needed to build the frame about 17 1/2 inches tall.
As shown in the video, there was plenty of cutting, measuring and drilling pocket holes to prepare the frame for assembly. Framing is pretty simple, so things come together pretty quickly, plus if you have the proper power tools such as a miter saw, the job goes really quick. For repeated cuts such as the beams and posts of the frame, I highly recommend using a stop block when using your miter saw. This allows you to accurately and quickly make the same cut - over and over.
#Woodworking #DIY #Banquette

[@volkanbekdas]

We have had this bench kzbin.infoUgkxNuLbiXpLQ-mKH5NlyjrNe88hiCk2N3Cg for five years now and it is still holding up strong with minimal signs of wear! So much so that I decided to get another one to store other stuff. The first one is still beautiful, strong and is easy to clean. It’s been in our living room and we store toys and blankets in it and it really holds quite a bit of stuff. I purchased a similar one two years ago from Aldi and let me tell you that one fell apart in less than six months of use. Get this one if you’re looking. Seriously worth it. Five years already and I can’t believe it looks this good and has held up for the price! Awesome bench, the new one I just got is identical.

[@totaleclipse99]

Man you built that thing like a tank! Thanks for the video. Also love how you allowed the children the be part of the building process. Good job brother

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thanks!

[@TheAw1963]

He has little ones. lol I get it.

[@vovachkanikolsky3092]

This is the best build for this bench seat that I have seen. I plan to use this as my guild. I personally do not have a problem with the "no storage," as I find it very awkward to pull out a table, lift up cushions, a lid, and then bend down to dig out what you need. Unless you are living in the tiny house --no need for the storage. As for the "heavy timber," I plan to do the same thing. One very large man or woman could damage cheaply made furniture. Bravo!

[@jbb5470]

Nice addition to your home. Enjoyed your build process, turned out great.

[@300wsm300]

Good job! I like that your son is out there helping you.

[@chrissnyder5768]

Thanks for putting this out there I’m halfway done with my project now. You really included everything someone needs to do this.

[@Nuck82]

great video, my family just moved into a new house, with an area in the kitchen that my wife wants me to build nook seating like this. and the math on how you got the angles will help me so much

[@linedanzer4302]

Good job. Great attention to detail. Your little boy was adorable. You're already instilling a work ethic in him. Nice!!

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thanks!

[@mejulian01]

Beautiful. You made it look so easy, I appreciated the calculations at the beginning.

[@BigBoyOtero]

One of the best instructional videos I've seen. Well done sir!

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thanks!

[@alisonmulholland167]

A terrific job, really well done. I’d be pretty disappointed though, that you couldn’t use it for storage - seems a wasted opportunity. But a fantastic job nonetheless 💪🌟

[@GadgetsandGrain]

I hear you. Looking back all these years, I wish I would have made them into storage, but my skills weren’t up to it at the time.

[@youdagoob]

I like how you play catchy music to trick people into thinking this is actually fun. 😉

[@BronkBuilt]

Looks great. Very nicely done. You have great helpers as well.

[@DJDEEM1]

That is awesome. This is my project for the summer. Thanks.

[@Studbeefpile]

This was a great video. Very nice final product too. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnascurry8100]

Thats simple??? Great job hats off to you and your little helper

[@lesliejones8817]

Love this! I am Looking to make this for my kitchen but with some type storage unearth.

[@KBBAKTHA]

Best build video on Bay window bench. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thanks so much, and a happy new year to you as well!

[@tzaylor]

Fantastic job in the video and on the bench seat. Thanks for the education!

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thanks!

[@merajshah963]

Great video as well as detailed instructions in your blog post. This has helped a ton.

[@lifeisgood5162]

you are a great builder, you are a great father

[@gsh319]

Great work. You'll remember the kids helping with that project forever.

[@marksmith5977]

So will the kids, I remember helping my father fit a similar one at our home in London. Best wishes for the new year from the UK

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thanks Mark. Happy New Year!

[@RicScheiner]

No fair, you had help! Awesome stuff.

[@stacyd2417]

Now gotta send this to my husband so he can make me one 😅

[@DIYMinded]

Great video. Thanks. Subscribed!

[@Mamightbe]

Sooo Awesome!!! I want one of these so bad! ❤😊

[@merajshah963]

Halfway through this project and I can't say how happy I am to have found this video. It's been my guide all throughout the project. One question - did you have to bevel the trim on the sidewalls? If not, do you recommend it?

[@happypoorguyy]

Came out great. Curious, how much did you spend on materials(excluding any tool purchases) and approx how long did it take to finish

[@trevorrea7745]

Love this project and about to start something very similar. Can you please advise what length of screws you used for the framing elements? I assume these were countersunk woodscrews as well? Thanks again!

[@abci471]

Very beautiful 🤗😍

[@seven.8228]

Are you expecting the German blitz attack , this is without doubt the strongest build for a unit that doesn’t even open anywhere I have ever seen

[@casperfasano5220]

im looking to build the same thing,except i need storage. So ill throw some piano hindges on it.Thanks for the ideas

[@danielgraytube]

Amazing !

[@JQUICK21]

Nice to have the best and necessary tools for a job. The way that thing was glued up and screwed down there must be earthquakes and hurricanes often near by

[@GadgetsandGrain]

+Quick2000 Thanks! Maybe the occasional earthquake here in California, but yeah - wanted to make sure the banquette could withstand many years and countless butts.

[@JQUICK21]

LOL!!

[@paulprs9703]

Some great tips there thanks really nice project

[@QuarterZipBro]

Best gloves ever

[@TheOldMadeira]

You inspired me!

[@SonaliTandon24]

Great tutorial. I was Wondering what screws did you use to attach the top? Also what wood did you use for the top?

[@er5490]

Paradise City for the chorus lol good job

[@ddaniadd]

Question: I want to build this, but feel that it might be annoying to sit with plantation shutters to my back. I have similar ones to yours. Have you found it to be comfortable seating?

[@MambasFootball-]

Question: how do you figure out the side piece angles?? Not the ones on the wall but the pieces that hold the actual part you sit on? Do you us the same angle you got from measuring the wall angle? I'm not even sure I'm making sense at this point 🙄

[@mattmoreooo]

Nice work. I have researched this project for some time for my own house. You did an amazing job with the design and build. Worth noting that in my area it is against electrical code to build in/cover or otherwise remove access to electrical junction boxes of any kind. I am curious how you finished the paint so that it would not be tacky, would be easy to clean, etc? I saw the primer, I am asking specifically about the top coat. Thanks.

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thanks, Matt! Good point about covering up the electrical sockets. I'm not happy about it, but I didn't see ay way around it. I used an eggshell finish, oil-based paint and that help keep the tacky-ness down. Since it's white, it get dirty easily, so my plan is to cover with a cushion down the road. If the plywood didn't get all funky during sanding, I would have stained and sealed the top to give it a more natural look - perhaps consider staining the bench top? Good luck on your project, and holler if I can help with anything else.

[@scottgraham4906]

Nice job. The table looks great too. Do you have a video of it?

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Thank, Scott! I'm working on that video now, and hope to have it up in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

[@henokhagos6912]

Nice job but the bottom box you can use as a storage if you makes a door

[@aottaviano1]

Great video. Any issues with attaching the frame only to the wall? No need to attach to the floor? Maybe the weight holds it down nicely. I’d also be hesitant to drill through the floor.

[@GadgetsandGrain]

No issue and it’s been a year and a half since the install. The weight of the bench itself secured it to the floor.

[@leemortimer1740]

If there’s ever a nuclear war...I’m coming to your house to take shelter in that bad boy!, That window seat is built to last!, Nice job 👍🏻

[@ggeorge2763]

Thx for the great video. What did you use to fill the gaps, just wood filler?

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Yes. Just regular wood filler.

[@cgrizz33]

What did you do with the power outlets? I am wanting to do this in my kitchen, but I’m not sure what to do with the two outlets it will cover up.

[@jetlaggedchef6806]

Code allows you to do this as long as you have a way to access them. This bench doesn't meet code, but it could if he'd made it with an access panel. Or, he could've used a piano hinge so that the top would open - then you could also use it as storage. But it's a great build otherwise!

[@jezebelina]

How would you modify the lid, if you wanted to be able to pick it up, for storage?

[@GadgetsandGrain]

That’s a great idea! There are some other videos out there that show this and I believe they simply install the top in two parts: one that is secured to the base and the other is attached by hinges.

[@vincearias2538]

Damn show-off!! JK, this guy is a master! I love the rum and coke he was drinking.

[@erikafairweather4690]

What tool did you use to get the angles?

[@stevegarcia8869]

Something hard to understand,WHY NO STORAGE?, waisting SPACE?, OUTHERWISE BEAUTIFUL JOB , I was a PROP. MAKER and trick carpentry is KEY to camera shots and movable walls , ceiling's, build a set and trash it after filming, I enjoyed your CAMERA SHOTS very artistic, and well played 👍, even MORE using your whole family, loved it.

[@MHS_ART]

Dude theres no way i can do this lol its pretty advanced

[@degrom542]

Save yourself a lot of time and material , just use 3/4 finished plywood next time . No need for the 2x4's. Look's fine .

[@raybrensike42]

Wouldn't you like to not be the guy that has to demo that out someday?

[@scottgraham4906]

Just curious..what is the design on the floor?

[@GadgetsandGrain]

+Scott Graham Are you talking about the black lines on the ground during the project build? It's roadway tape that my son was playing with. Otherwise it's a regular tile floor.

[@Kt-cn2rq]

Lol now come here help me make mine. Should put hinges on used inside for storage.

[@Goodwithwood69]

My only advise is less ice more whiskey!

[@beowulf555]

That could’ve doubled up as storage if you used hinges on the top board.

[@GrahamOrm]

Why such heavy timber? Why glue? Why no storage? Not sure if you're trade or DIY. If DIY great job.

[@GadgetsandGrain]

Just a DIY guy - that probably answers some of your questions right there 😀

[@ryandetzel6530]

I think you did a great job bro!!! That thing will never break down and it looks awesome!

[@patrick-ij2xy]

Why not just screw it in from the side?

[@pierluigicolotto9570]

I bought Woodglut once and now I have lifetime access to thousands of woodworking projects.

[@viktoriyai9199]

OMG

[@noahjacobsmith2961]

I prefer to build with stodoys plans.

[@araceliadams34]

Too much music not enough words.

[@itsmesmalls1990]

0:34 I quit...

[@ellieokeefe2931]

ott what a load of crap

[@gsh319]

really...……. did I miss something?

[@phillipandrews1903]

Wood filler, glue, and 2x4s 🤮