How to build a window bench seat with storage using Ikea cabinets
I’ve always wanted a built in window bench seat with storage. After receiving a pricey quote from a contractor, we decided to DIY window bench with storage using IKEA cabinets. It saved us a lot of time, effort and of course, it’s way cheaper than the quote.
This window is in our media room in which we recently made many upgrades. We painted the room with lime wash paint and framed the projector wall. This modern window bench will be on the wall adjacent to the screen wall and will be against a mini dry bar area.
Table of Contents
Materials:
Tools:
- Nail Gun
- Miter saw
- Table Saw/Circular saw (optional)
- JigSaw
- Power Drill/driver
- Measuring Tape
- Level
Cut List
Before
This is the space. It is in our media room and we have a big window on one side of the room. We decided to put a mini fridge and build a mini bar area. I wanted to add floating shelves and wine glass holders as well. To balance the fridge on the left, I wanted a taller cabinet on the right. The window bench seat with storage would be in between the fridge and the taller cabinet. We plan on placing the sound system in the taller cabinet, so we left it open without doors.
Measurements
Assembly
Before anything, we assembled IKEA BESTA cabinets by following the instruction manual. We have 3 cabinets of size 23 5/8 x 16 1/2 x 15 and one of size 23 5/8 x 15 3/4 x 25 1/4. We are using one taller cabinet on the right side of the bench to have a visual balance with the fridge frame on the left. Also, we decided to keep it open and put the sound box in it. Luckily, we have an outlet that falls behind the taller cabinet, so we cut a hole on the back to access it.
Frame under the window bench seat with storage
Build the base frame using 2x4s. We used butt joints to join them, meaning we just placed one against the other and screwed them together. This frame will be hidden behind the trim, but this supports all the weight of the bench. The cabinets are 15″ deep, but we decided to make the bench seat deeper than 15″ to accommodate the curtains and pillows. But we can’t move the taller cabinet any forward, because of the projector screen. That is why you don’t see a perfect rectangle here.
Notice that I am using three 2x4s in the middle. I want 2x4s to stand in between the cabinets. So, the three 2x4s in between will support cabinets on either side and the middle one will support the 2×4 standing between the cabinets.
Side Frame:
On the left, I screwed the 2x4s to the base frame and to the cabinets as shown. We also placed 2x4s in between cabinets. Our plan is to cover the cabinets with wood on all sides so that the weight wouldn’t fall on them directly.
On the Right, there’s some space between the wall and cabinet. Luckily a 2×4 is fitting perfectly in the gap so I placed one to cover the space. Even if wasn’t, I would cut a 2×4 on table saw to fit in the space. To make it stand, I used a support block behind it as shown
the outlet Access:
As mentioned above, we decided to leave the right cabinet open without doors as we want to place the speaker in it.. Luckily, we have an outlet right behind the cabinet. So we made a rectangular hole on the back to access the outlet.
To cut this rectangular piece, we drilled 4 holes in the corner of this rectangle, used these holes to insert the jig saw blade and then we cut a rectangular hole to access the outlet, using jigsaw.
top frame for our window bench seat:
Top frame is what supports all the weight of anyone sitting on the bench. This will surround the cabinets and will be screwed into the leg supports in-between the cabinets.
Between the 1x4s on the top, we added some more 1x4s using Kreg joints.
Frame around the fridge
To frame the fridge, we used a 3/4th inch plywood and some L brackets. As you can see, the shorter side will be attached to the bench and the longer one will go against the wall. Joined the both sides using a 1×4 and this will be screwed into the studs on the wall. We also cut a hole to on he longer side to access the outlet for the fridge.
Window bench seat
We are using a 3/4th in plywood as the bench seat and used liquid nails (construction adhesive) to secure it in place. And of course, we did not use nails or screws as we don’t want them showing on the top. Construction adhesive is stronger than nails anyways so we added a bunch of adhesive on the top frame, placed the plywood and put weights on it for 24 hours.
painting the doors and trim
Painting Ikea cabinets is tricky because they are very smooth and aren’t ideal for painting. So we had to scuff them using a 180 grit sand paper or a sanding sponge, prime and then sand them again using 240 grit paper before painting using a paint roller.
Overall, we only painted the drawer doors and the trim that surrounds these doors. Since everything else is covered, we didn’t have to paint them.
Trimming
Now the most satisfying step, trimming all around the cabinets. First, we nailed a primed 1×4 to the base frame. Then, we got primed 1x2s and nailed them to the 2×4 supports between cabinets and the plywood on the top. We used the same to trim the fridge frame as well.
Finishing touches for window bench seat with storage
Our window bench seat with storage is almost ready! The final step is to cover the unfinished sides of the plywood. We used 3/4th inch maple-finished edge banding to cover these ugly sides of the plywood. Obviously, you can look for one that matches the plywood. Edge banding is thin veneer that has glue on the other side that’s activated with heat. Therefore, used an iron box to stick it to the plywood.
How much did it cost to build this window bench with storage?
Ikea Cabinets including the side rails and shelf : $ 215
- Studs for frame: $15
- Primed trim pieces: $23
- 1x4x8 for top frame: $7
- Plywood: $90
- Liquid Nails: $3
- Screws ~ $15
The contractor gave us a quote of $1800 and we were able to build it by spending just $368!! I’d say that’s a win!!
That’s why I love DIYing. With some elbow grease and creativity, you can have a home that you love without breaking bank. I had so much fun building our modern window bench with storage using IKEA Cabinets.Would you try this? Please let me know if I missed any details!