A functional and inviting mudroom bench can transform your home’s entryway, making it both stylish and practical. This simple project adds both function and style, is perfect for beginners with an easy to follow step by step guide.

I’m excited to share this easy to build mudroom bench with you today. Certainly every home needs to have some sort of storage system like this. In fact, that was the case for the income suite that my son and daughter-in-law had built in their basement.

A few weeks ago my daughter-in-law, Megan sent me a picture of a mudroom bench. She was wondering if I would help her build one for their basement apartment. After all the time and energy spent finishing their basement, Alex was tired of projects and was not interested in building mudroom storage for their renters.

I was excited to help Megan with this project. You see, a few years back she had asked for a table saw for Christmas and she had never really used it. I thought his would be the perfect opportunity to teach her how to use it and get her over her fear of power tools.

Well, as it turned out, I didn’t get to help much after all. After a trip to The Home Depot to buy the supplies, Alex came home and started to build the mudroom bench. In fact, by the time I arrived on Saturday, the bench was built. My only portion was to paint the mudroom storage bench with my Wagner paint sprayer.

For more ideas to add value to your home, take a look at 10 Sensational Home Improvement Ideas on a Budget.

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Installing a Mudroom Bench

Supplies and Tools Needed

All of the supplies to build this mudroom bench are readily available at The Home Depot. Purchasing primed boards, saves time in the painting process. 

In addition, you will also need a few tools. A pneumatic brad nailer makes it go up rather fast. However, if you don’t have one, old fashioned hammer and nails will work. In addition, a drill was used to secure the shelf brackets to the wall as well. But you can muscle it with a screwdriver.

Supplies:

Tool:

Prep Area for Mudroom Bench

First, you’ll want to prep the area you want to install the mudroom bench.

Begin by removing the baseboards from the wall. To do this first score the caulk edge and gently remove with a pry bar.

This entrance for the income suite is new construction, so the base moldings had not been installed yet.

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Install Shiplap Boards

First, you’ll want to mark the location of studs in the wall with a stud finder.

Man attached shiplap to the wall at the studs with a brad nailer.

Tip: For easy stud marking, Alex placed painters tape where the studs were located. I think that’s a brilliant idea. In fact, why didn’t I think of that!

Next, you’ll want to cut the shiplap boards to length. Then attach to the wall with the pneumatic nailer where  the studs are located.

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Install Trim Moulding Over Shiplap

Flat trim moulding is installed over the shiplap at the top edge and on the two sides and center.

Once all of the shiplap is installed, cut the 2 1/2″ flat moulding to length and install across the top, down the 2 sides and the center.

The vertical boards were cut to the height of the mudroom bench seat.

Installing Legs for the Mudroom Bench

Place a mark on the center of each vertical moulding board. This will be the center placement for the mudroom bench legs.

Now it’s time to install the 3 legs.

First, Alex marked on the shiplap, the center of the center board. This will be the placement for the center leg.

Man cuts a notch in the center leg support for the HVAC vent.

It turned out that the center leg of the mudroom bench would be directly over the HVAC vent. Therefore, Alex cut a notch out of the bottom of the leg piece with an oscillating tool.

Paint is applied to the legs of the mudroom bench.

At this time the 3 leg pieces were primed and painted white with a foam roller. This will ensure that the finish is smooth.

Attached the mudroom bench leg supports to the 2 side walls. The center leg will be supported at the bottom with the baseboard pieces on either side and to the seat when attached.

Finally, the 2 side legs were secured to the wall into the studs. Once again you’ll notice the wall is marked with painters tape where the studs are located.

Next, Alex secured the center leg. He first lined up the leg centering it on the wall. Then he cut 2 pieces of the base moulding to fit snuggly between the center and side legs. And finally he secured the baseboard moulding to the wall.

To make sure that the center leg will be secure, it will also be attached to the mudroom bench seat.

Attaching Brackets & Shelf

Don’t you just love these farmhouse style brackets? Not only will they ensure that the shelf will be secure, but they really add character to this mudroom bench.

Brackets for mudroom shelf organization

All of the products that were used to build this mudroom storage were already primed except the brackets. 

To make things easier, Megan primed the brackets before they were installed.

The brackets for the mudroom shelf were attached with long wood screws.

It’s so fun to see it coming together. I’m loving the way it’s looking!

What do you think? Does this look easy enough that you might try it?

When Steph designed her mudroom, she wanted it to have lots of cubbies, locker type storage and look very custom. While it looks amazing, it’s definitely a project for a more skilled woodworker.

I definitely feel that even a beginner could build this mudroom bench!

The brackets are easy to install. In fact, they are pre-drilled for mounting. You simply secure to the boards with long wood screws at both the top and bottom of each bracket.

To finish off the top of the mudroom bench, the shelf board is attached into place with a wood screw at the front of the bracket.

Note: For the shelf and mudroom seat Alex and Megan used pine stair treads. I’ll let you in on a little secret, Alex it just as picky as me. Can you believe it?!

When they were choosing wood for the mudroom bench seat, Alex didn’t like the grain of the wood on the 1×4 boards. But, he did like the grain on the pine stair treads.

What I love about it, is when the 2 stair treads are butted up together for the seat, it looks like one solid piece of wood. 

Mudroom Bench Seat

At first to prepare the stair tread wood, the bull-nose edge was cut off with the table saw.

Stain the mudroom bench top before installation.

At this time, prepare the wood for staining. Begin sanding the wood with a fine grit sandpaper, wipe with a damp or tack cloth to remove any dust.

Next, you’ll want to apply the desired stain, Once dry, apply 2-3 coats of a topcoat. We love Minwax Wipe On Poly for this. Clearly, we always get a beautiful finish with this product. Once it’s all dry, it’s ready to install.

Progression of the Mudroom Bench.

At this time we are ready to install the bench seat.

First apply a little wood glue along  the top of each leg. Then slide the back stair tread into place under the 3 moulding pieces.

Now add the second board and secure each board with a couple of brads into the 3 legs pieces.

Last but not least, 3 strips of 1/2 x 1 1/2″ flat moulding was cut to fit the front of each leg. They were then secured with wood glue and a few brads.

Finally, fill in all of the nail holes with a little putty and sand, then caulk the seams of the trim moulding and shelf.

A piece of MDF board was cut to fit across the top for a shelf and then attached to the brackets with brad nails.

Paint

Painting Mudroom Bench white with a paint sprayer.

Personally, I think using our Wagner paint sprayer is the quickest way to get the job done with professional results. When using a sprayer, mask off any area you don’t want paint to get on. It’s takes a bit of work, but in my opinion, it’s so worth it!

However, the painting can be done with a brush and foam roller. You’ll want to paint all of the groves with a brush first, then roll each section.

Farmhouse Mudroom Bench Storage

Finished mudroom bench styled with a red jacket, pillow, baskets and decor.

Of course to make this a functional mudroom add hooks and baskets for lots of storage.

Finished mudroom bench styled with a red jacket, pillow, baskets and decor.

Overall I think this is a quick and easy project that can be completed in a weekend. It’s easy enough for even the novice woodworker!

Mudroom Storage Bench with stained wood top, cubbies, shiplap, shelf and hooks.

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Mudroom Storage Ideas

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PInterest image, DIY shiplap mudroom bench, and easy weekend project. Styled with a red jacket, pillow, baskets and decor

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I have always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating organized, functional homes. Even as a child, I loved rearranging furniture and decorating my childhood home. In fact my dad would comment he was afraid to come home from work and sit, for fear the furniture would be rearranged. I enjoy the challenge of turning ordinary items into extraordinary pieces, whether it’s a piece of furniture or an entire room. My creativity and attention to detail drive me to find unique ways to breathe new life into any space.

As a wife (to a supportive and patient husband, Steve), mother of three, and grandmother of five, I balance my love for home improvement with family life. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring nature. I also frequent yard sales, thrift stores, and vintage markets, always on the lookout for my next project.

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