How to build a bench

We show you how to build fun and quirky Mickey Mouse shelves for your living areas.

Materials you will need

22 x 69mm planed pine, cut to:

four 1 500mm lengths (seat)
four 475mm lengths (seat supports)
three 1 500mm lengths (front) four 400mm lengths (front supports) two 1 500mm lengths (backrest)
four 745mm lengths (backrest supports/feet) six 500mm lengths (sides, inside)
four 320mm lengths (side supports, inside) twelve 530mm lengths (sides, outside)
four 745mm lengths (side supports, outside) one 1 500mm length (support for seat and backrest)

22 x 44mm planed pine, cut to:

four 1 500mm lengths (seat) four 1 500mm lengths (front)
three 1 500mm lengths (backrest)
twelve 530mm lengths (sides, outside)
four 500mm lengths (sides, inside)

22 x 95mm planed pine, cut to:

four 745mm lengths (armrest, front and back)
one 1 500mm length (backrest, top) two 570mm lengths (armrest, top)
one 1600mm length (back, bottom)

three packets 8mm x 30mm chipboard screws
one packet 6mm x 40mm chipboard screws
wood glue
wood filler
120-grit sandpaper
paint or varnish (optional)
cordless drill and 3mm drill bit
wood clamp
square
scraper
6mm spacers (wood offcuts)

Step 1

Make the seat by placing the four 22 x 69 x 1 500mm and the four 22 x 44 x 1 500mm planks next to each other, alternately.

Top Tip: Use a wood clamp to hold the planks in place and the 6mm spacers to make sure the gaps are even. Place the four 22 x 69 x 475mm supports at right angles across the seat planks and space them as indicated on the sketch (opposite).

Using the 8mm x 30mm screws, glue and screw the supports in place in a zigzag pattern. Make the backrest, sides and front by repeating the above process

Step 2

Join the seat to the backrest with the 6mm x 40mm screws.

Attach the 1 500mm support for the seat and backrest to the backrest supports/legs to reinforce the seat.

Screw the front panel beneath the seat.

Step 3

Attach the inner panel for the sides to the backrest and seat. Attach two of the 22 x 95 x 745mm planks to the front of each side to finish off the front of the armrest.

Screw two pieces of offcut wood to the bottom of the front supports to reinforce the front of the armrest with the front panel.

Glue and screw the 22 x 95 x 1 500mm plank to the top of the backrest.

Step 4

Place the outer panel of each side in position and attach with the 6mm x 40mm screws. Complete the armrests by screwing the 22 x 95 x 570mm planks on top. Turn the bench over with the backrest facing upwards and screw the 22 x 95 x 1600mm plank to the bottom of the legs to reinforce the sides.

Screw the remaining 22 x 95 x 745mm planks to the back of the armrests to complete the bench. Fill all visible screw holes with wood filler and allow to dry completely. Sand the bench thoroughly and paint or varnish in the colour of your choice; we left the wood untreated.