When I began building benches, (say that fast three times) I used raised panels for the front and back. I could have saved myself much time and effort by using a simple solid-wood back. However, I wanted to give the owners freedom to place these benches anywhere in their homes, not just against a wall or at the foot of a bed.

The front and back panels can be constructed using arched raised panels, like the Walnut bench shown above, or with straight (rectangular) panels shown in the Oak bench, below. Arched panels require more building time as well as template work. This accounts for the higher pricing on these options. Lately, I've been experimenting with tiles as the panel interiors. This project seems to be moving my work in an entirely new direction.

I've been experimenting with the base of these benches and love what I've been achieving. The original base designs started with simple mortise and tenon construction, i.e., an open base that elevates the bench to sitting height. Lately, I've been using wheels that are carefully selected for beauty and utility, and the results are impressive.

Even if you don't intend to store bedding or clothing in your bench, like the Cherry chest with blanket storage below, I always use aromatic cedar for the bottom lining. Additionally, I use only the finest quality hardware, chosen to last a lifetime. The lid support locks in place, giving you access to the interior without difficulty.

This Oak chest can be used as a lateral filing cabinet with 48” of capacity by adding a set of hanging file rails. These are readily available at most office supply stores. If you plan on storing anything on top of your bench, a split top might be a good solution for you. With a split top, it’s easy to access items that are inside, without moving the items from the top of the bench. And since the split top is simply a solid top that is cut in half, the grain matches across the entire seating area.