Building a Storage Window Seat with a Butcher Block Lid

Savannah and Michael, owners of a small first home, had a completely empty mudroom and a window looking out on the garden, a mountain and trees. They wanted a place for shoes, jackets, keys and purses, and a more welcoming main entrance. Working with Kyle, a Lowe's associate, they built a window seat with storage under a hinged lid.

Measuring and cutting

A standard bench is 18 inches tall, so the pair needed only the length and depth. They settled on about 77 in. long and 21 in. deep for a roomy seat. Lumber was cut to the plan: base frame, vertical supports, top rails and siding. They bought 1×6 and 1×2 poplar boards for supports and rails, and plywood for the siding.

A miter saw handled the poplar cuts, with the blade kept running all the way through for a clean finish. A circular saw cut the longer plywood side pieces. Every piece was sanded with a 220 grit sandpaper block.

Assembling the base

The plywood siding goes in first. Cabinet screws and braces join each corner, and pilot holes drilled beforehand keep the screws from splitting the wood. The base walls are assembled into a box.

The rails along the top edge support the butcher block lid. The back rail is glued down first, because the hinged top attaches there and it needs extra support. A countersink bit makes room so the screw heads sit flush. The remaining rails are attached with a nail gun, since the lid simply rests on them. Nail holes are filled with wood filler, and a baseboard and trim added with the nail gun help give a built-in look.

Paint

After a drop cloth went down, the base was primed and given two coats of paint, with each coat left a night to dry. Savannah and Michael chose the color Snowbound.

The butcher block lid

The butcher block was cut to the exact width of the bench with a circular saw, slowly. A slim piece the same length as the bench top forms the back edge. Two piano hinges join the two, with pilot holes drilled first and paint stir sticks used to leave space between the pieces so the hinges have room.

The top was wiped with a microfiber cloth and a tack cloth, then sealed with shellac, which protects the wood from moisture while keeping the grain visible. The lid is attached to the back rail from underneath, and tested to confirm it opens smoothly.

Finishing touches

Beadboard was cut to size and nailed to the wall, with trim along its top edge, painted to match the bench. The couple said they liked having storage that isn't visible, and Michael named the trim as his favorite part.