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Home Improvement > Kitchen > Build a Breakfast Nook Bench

Learn how to build an L-shaped breakfast nook bench.

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The homeowners want to build an L-shaped breakfast nook bench with attractively curved sides in a cozy corner of their kitchen. They also anticipate that the enclosed space under the bench would offer storage for games and art supplies their children would use at the table and then return to storage. The seats in both angles of the L-shaped bench will flip up to permit storage in the space below.

Step by Step Instructions and Video

Sketch the Design
Sketch out the design and dimensions for the bench. The short base of our bench will be 3-feet long, while the long base is 5-feet long.

Determine Depth of Seat
Measure a comfortable chair to determine the depth of the seat from knee edge horizontally to the back. Seats can vary in depth from 15 to 17 inches. Making the seat too deep may make it uncomfortable for children, whose bent knees cannot clear the edge while they lean against the back. Also, keep in mind that upholstery or cushions will affect the optimum depth for the seat.

Measure Height of Chair
Measure the height of the chair from ground to seat, as well. For our project, the seat of the bench will be 18 inches tall.

Build a Rectangular Frame
Use two-by-four framing to build a rectangular frame for each base of the bench: one is approximately 18 inches x16 inches x 3 feet and the other is 18 inches x16 inches x 5 feet. You will eventually add back supports, front panels, back panels, decorative side panels, and hinged seat lids.

Create a "Cut List"
Create a cut list to inventory each wooden component to be cut. This may seem elementary, but this project has many pieces.

Cut the Two-by-Fours
Cut the two-by-fours in the desired dimensions to build the interior framing for both bases.

Lay Out the Pieces
Lay out the pieces for each section of the base frame, starting with the bottom.

Join Pieces with Long Screws
Join them with long screws after applying glue to the joining surfaces. Countersink the screw heads so they do not interfere with the panels that will cover the base framing.

Place Two-by-Fours under Fiberboard on Work Surface
Set three-quarter inch MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) on a table or other work surface with two-by-fours placed beneath. The gap leaves room for the blade of your circular saw to clear the tabletop and ensures that the cut pieces will not move, pinch, or bind the blade.

Clamp a Straightedge to Fiberboard
Clamp an aluminum straightedge to the MDF to use as a guide for the saw to make perfectly straight cuts in the large sheets. The straightedge serves as a guide for the face of the saw.

Cut Panels from Fibreboard
Cut the panels from the MDF in the exact dimensions required to cover the base framing. Move the skeletal base framing and other pieces indoors for assembling and installation.

Joint Two Bases
Join the two bases by clamping them together in the correct position and then securing them with screws.

Apply Glue
Apply glue to the front panels and clamp the pieces in place on the base frame.

Nail Front Panels
Secure them with a pneumatic nail gun.

Attach Two Back Supports
Attach the two back supports. Apply glue to the surface, clamp the pieces together, and attach with screws.

Cut and Nail Tapered Wedges
Cut and nail three long tapered wedges to the three back supports on the long base to enable the finished backrest panel to tilt backward slightly for comfort. Add two identical wedges to the two back supports on the short base.

Cut Curved Panel
Trace the curve for the side panels along narrow strips of wood made flexible by soaking them in water. Bend them into the desired configuration and, once traced, cut the curved panel out with a jigsaw.

Trace and Cut Curved Panel
Use the first curved side panel as a template to trace and then cut the other side panel.

Install Seat Backs and Sides
Install the seat backs before installing the sides. Put glue on the long tapered wedges, press the back panels into place, and use the nail gun to secure them to the back supports on the long and the short bases.

Glue and Nail Side Panels
Glue and nail the side panels to the bases.

Add Trim
Add a piece of trim to the tops of each back panel, laying them with the flat edge against the top edge of the back panel and back supports and butting them against the side panels.

Screw Piano Hinges to Seat Lids
Screw long piano hinges to the seat lids. First attached the hinge to the lid, and then attach the lid to the base using only a couple of screws.

Install Remainder Screws, Finish Surface and Add Cusions
Test the movement of the lid to ensure that it fits and one lid does not bind against the other. Finish installing the remainder of the screws in the piano hinges. Finish the surface as desired with stain and varnish, etc., and add cushions or upholstery if appropriate.

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