I don’t have a huge kitchen, so I have found it fairly important to utilize every square inch. Do you remember the tutorial about the conver-table ? Well, shortly after making a table that was able to serve multiple functions, I decided I needed a bench to match! I really wanted to have a kids eating area, so when we had company they could sit at the “adult table”. I had looked into making a cute little table and chairs for the kiddos, but like I mentioned earlier, I don’t have a huge kitchen. What a conundrum !?
Challenge Accepted!
Not only do I have a tutorial below, but Ana White is a rockstar and has drafted up the plans and they are available on her site! Don’t have access to a tablesaw!? She has a solution for that!
Materials Used:
- Wood Glue
- 2.5″ Wood Screws
- Wood Plugs
- 2×8 (12′)
- 2×10 (8′)
- Shelf Support Bracket
- Spray Paint
Tools Suggested:
- Miter Saw
- Table Saw
- 18g Nail Gun
- Drill
- 3/8″ drill bit
- Kreg Jig
- Orbital Sander
Cut List:
2×8
4@ 17″ (2 of which requires additional cuts)
2@ 36″(1 of which requires additional cuts)
2×10
1@ 18.5″
2@ 17″
Legs
Begin by taking 2 of the 2×8’s that are cut at 17″. Using a tablesaw cut a notch out of the entire length of the 17″ board. Then repeat the same process on the second board.
Next take the 2×10 cut at 17″ and line it up the with 2×8 that has the notch cut out. Dab a little bit of glue in the joint and then for added precaution I used 16 gauge 2″ finishing nails.
Repeat the the same process on the other notched out board.
For the next step on the legs, use a Kreg Jig System and drill 3 holes on the 2 remaining 2×8″ boards. ( These will become the chair backs)
Again I used a little bit of wood glue on the joint and then reinforced with 2 1/2″ screws via the pocket holes. I then repeated on the remaining leg.
To hide the pocket holes, I use these awesome little guys! Just use a dab of glue and use then to fill the pocket holes.
The Top
For the top I used (2) 2×8’s. This is where it gets a little tricky. Using a jigsaw I cut out a 9″ section in the center of one of the boards. I needed the slot to be 9 ” and 1 1/2′ deep. ( The table top board will eventually will sit on this cut out.) Using the Kreg Jig again, I drilled pocket holes that would allow me to join both 2×8’s together. For added precaution I used a little bit of wood glue on the seam. I then used 2 1/2″ screws to fasten the two boards together via the pocket holes. ( Again, I used pocket hole plugs to hide the pocket holes.)
Now it is time to attach the legs to the top!
I wanted to conceal the screws as much as possible so I used “wood plugs”. In order to use these I simply used a drill bit (determined by the size plug) in this case I used a 3/8″ bit. I drilled only partially through the board with this bit. I then followed up with a much smaller bit to pre- drill . ( This helps prevent the board from splitting.) After the hole is pre-drilled I used 2 1/2″ wood screws to secure the leg to the top. I then added a small amount of wood glue to the wood plugs and put them in the screw holes.
The last part of the bench/ table is the “kids table top” in order to give the table top a more support I opted to use a heavy duty shelf support. I didn’t want the hardware sticking out like a sore thumb so I used an “Oil rubbed bronze” spray paint to help it blend in a little better. After the bracket had completely dried I installed it so that it would be centered.
Now it’s time for the table top! Using the remaining 2×10″ I placed it in the previously cut out notch, and then secured it to the bracket from the underside.
I also secured the table top on the topside. Again, I repeated the same steps as earlier. I partially drilled with a 3/8″ bit and then pre-drilled with a smaller bit. Secured it in place with 2 1/2″ wood screws, followed with 3/8″ wood plugs.
Finish Work
That completes the structural aspect now, on to the finish work. Bust out the wood filler and fill any and all holes. I normally apply a small amount to the top of all the the wood plugs. It fills in all the small crannies and does a great job camouflaging the wood plugs.
After the wood filler has completely dried, I used an orbital hand sander to smooth out the entire piece, paying special attention to the areas where a wood plug was used.
Now, it is ready for stain and or paint. I opted for Minwax Jacobean stain and then followed up with the “Satin Finish” polyurethane.
Mission Completed!
A space saving STURDY bench, that when flipped on its side, is an AWESOME kids eating area, complete with two chairs and a table. Booyah!
Tsu Dho Nimh says
That is totally awesome. No fancy hinges, no folding … you just tip it over and it’s ready to go.
QUESTION: How did you think of the design? Was it an AHAH moment, did you see something similar, or what?
coreydecker@gmail.com says
Thank you! Actually it all started with all those thoughts… hinges etc… but I kind of did have a mini “ah-ha” moment. I was watching my son take his step stool and stick it on his lap like a table… no lightning bolts, but it got me thinking about dual purpose seating. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Lacey says
This is Pure Genius!!! I can’t wait to make this for my little man 🙂
coreydecker@gmail.com says
Thanks Lacey! My kids love it, hope he does too!
Mindi says
This Amazingly awesome and you ARE a genius! I love it, love it, love it!
Amy J says
This is one of the most genius things I’ve ever seen. Just such a smart use of space. Too bad my kids are 12 and 10! Lol
coreydecker@gmail.com says
Dang we are a few years late! Haha thanks for taking the time to comment though! Just keep it bookmarked for 20 years for grand kids !? hah
Erin says
I love this! Such a cute idea! We have a kitchen, living and dining room combo so we don’t have much space either. We have a table shoved into a corner and thought about purchasing a bench that matches our chairs for the back side. I like this idea so much better! This would be great for my 2 year old for not only eating but crafts and coloring etc! I am curious what the finished dimensions are though! I would want to.make sure it will fit at our table before I tackle the project. Thanks so much for sharing! !
coreydecker@gmail.com says
This sounds like it would be perfect for you! Mine is appox. 14.5 ” deep 36″ wide and 18.5″ tall. Good luck and thank you for commenting!
coreydecker@gmail.com says
Thank you so much Lisa!