Tools and Materials
Tools
Sliding T-bevel
- Hammer
- Respirator
- Nails
- Miter saw
- Measuring tape
- Safety glasses
Spirit level
- Stud finder
- Jigsaw
- Hole saw
Making a Bay Window Bench with Storage: 15-Step Guide
A bay window often leaves extra space inside the room. While you can place an indoor swing and decorate the area with a lamp, building a bench seat could be a better idea. You can sit comfortably and bask in the sunlight coming from the windows and also store your essentials inside it.
Bay windows vary in size and shape in different homes. First, measure the angles of the walls around the window with a sliding T-bevel. Next, note down the length, width and depth of the bench you would require. It is recommended to keep the height at 18 inches and the depth around 16 to 20 inches. This will allow you to make use of 2x4 boards easily.
Once you have taken all the measurements, draw a blueprint of your DIY bench seat. Note down the dimensions correctly.
Use the measurements taken to find how much wood you’ll require. Purchase good quality plywood for the basic frame, for the front and for the top seat. Use a plyboard of a minimum thickness of 3x4 inches. This is essential to support the weight of people sitting on it. You will also need baseboard and trim to give finishing touches to the DIY bench window seat.
Mark the measurements on the plyboard with measuring tape and a pencil. Mark the wall angles correctly on the wood before cutting it. This will ensure the battens fit perfectly in the wall corners. Check the measurements again, then cut the board to the required dimensions with a miter saw. Cut the wood to get:
- Base frame: 3 battens for the back (left, middle, right), 3 battens for the front (1 long batten for top and 2 battens for bottom) and 3 vertical battens.
- Front or face frame: MDF boards.
- Top seat: Few battens as per the seat shape and size, MDF boards.
Wear safety gear like safety goggles and a respirator when cutting wood with a miter saw.
Locate the studs of your wall with a stud finder. Mark them lightly using a pencil. Place the topmost battens at the decided height of your seat. Place one batten first and check that it is perfectly straight or not with a spirit level. Adjust it accordingly and screw it into place with 3 ½ -inch screws. Follow this process to secure the left and right battens to the wall.
Take the long front batten of the base frame. Ask someone to help or use clamps to position it correctly. Connect the left and right battens secured to the wall with the front long batten. Use 3 ½ -inch screws to connect them.
You will need at least three vertical battens to support the front long batten. Place two battens at each of the corners and one at the middle. Use 3 ½- inch screws to secure them with the front batten.
To complete the base frame, connect the vertical battens with two battens at the bottom. You can nail them or use screws.
Attach a few battens to cover the seating area. Add enough battens to support your weight when you sit on the bench. The space between these battens must be wide enough to access the storage below these battens.
Attach MDF panels between the top and bottom battens at the front. You might need to cut the MDF board to fit between your trim and baseboard. Mark their shape on the board with a pencil. Use a jigsaw to cut it along the marked lines. Once cut, nail the board onto the battens. Cover the whole front of the bench with the MDF board or panels.
Use MDF construction adhesives instead of nails to attach the boards. Glue the board to battens and use clamps to strengthen the bond.
Wear safety gear like safety goggles and a respirator when working with a jigsaw.
Measure the seating space created with a measuring tape. Cut 12mm MDF boards to make the seat for this bench. Cut the sections as required by the shape of your seat. Since we are creating a storage space, it's best to keep at least two big opening sections using the MDF board. You might have to make some triangular sections along with the two opening sections for the corners.
Now, use a hole saw to make small holes in each of the opening sections of your bench seat. The holes must only be big enough to let your finger in to lift the board. Measure and mark the center of each of the opening sections with a pencil. Place one of the sections on a worktable and use clamps to keep it stable.
Position the hole saw at the marked center point. Begin drilling slowly and gradually increase the speed. Stop drilling once the hole is made. Lightly sand the inner side of the hole to remove any splinters. Follow the same process for the second section.
Wear safety glasses and safety gloves when using a hole saw.
If you don’t prefer to make holes, add a small lip in the opening sections. You would have to cut the MDF boards for the seat accordingly.
Use a caulking or wood filler to fill any gaps between the boards, battens, and wall. You can fix the triangular sections of the seat with the wall using wood filler.
Add decorative elements like molding along the panels to give a finished look.
Inspect your work to make sure all parts have been secured firmly. Sand down any unfinished surfaces. Once you have a smooth surface, spray paint the bench. Use the same color as your window frame to give the space a uniform look.
Wood chips can cause injury. Ensure that you smoothen the bench surface before using it.
Add a padded seat that fits your bench’s shape. Include some cushions and rugs to make a comfortable seating spot.