DIY Hinged Top Storage Benches

Lay two planks of 20-inch 1-by-2 lumber flat on a work surface, parallel with 18 inches between them. Insert two pieces of 18-inch 1-by-2 lumber between the ends of the 20-inch planks to form a square frame, 20-by-20 inches.

Glue the joints of the frame, then secure together with two 1 1/2-inch screws driven through the side of the 20-inch planks into the ends of the 18-inch planks. Repeat so you have two identical frames.

Lay a sheet of 20-by-40 inch, 3/4-inch plywood flat on the work surface. Place a frame on top at each end, with the 18-inch planks of the frame upright and the frame positioned so that it is flush with the ends of plywood base. There should be one frame at each end.

Secure the frames to the base with five evenly spaced screws driven through the top of the frame plank that is flush with the base, into the top of the base.

Abut two pieces of 20-by-20 3/4-inch plywood over the frames and the ends of the base. These end panels should be flush at the top and sides of the frame, as well as flush with the bottom of the base.

Secure the end panels in place with four screws driven evenly spaced through the frames into the end panels. This allows the outer side of the end panels to remain free from screw holes.

Abut two panels of 20 3/4-by-41 1/2-inch plywood over the front and back of the base, so that the box of the storage bench is formed. The ends of the front and back panels should form corners with the end panels, and be flush at the top, as well as flush with the bottom of the base.

Glue the front and back panel to the end panels as well as the frames and base, then secure them with four evenly spaced screws through the frames into the front and back panels. Stagger the screw positions so you don’t collide with screws used to secure the end panels.

Center a 38-inch piano hinge along one long edge of a 22-by-41 1/2-inch piece of plywood, the lid of the storage bench.

Secure one-half of the piano hinge to the lid with 1/2-inch screws driven through the screw holes in the hinge. Center the lid over the top of the bench box, it should be flush at the sides and back, with a small lip over at the front. Secure the other half of the piano hinge to the back of the bench box to finish the hinged top storage bench.