How to Build a Kitchen Bench Seat for a Banquette

Building the Frame

• 1

  Measure the space where you intend to install your bench seating using a measuring tape. Take the length, depth and height of the space to determine the dimensions for your banquette. Use one of your kitchen chairs as reference when deciding the height for your bench seating.

• 2

  Cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood to the desired length of your bench seating using a circular saw. Use the depth of the bench, minus 4 inches, to cut six more pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood. You will use these boards to construct the upper and lower frames of your bench.

• 3

  Arrange the boards you just cut in two rectangular shapes, each using two of the longer boards and two of the shorter boards. Position the boards upright on their longest narrow edges, sandwiching the shorter boards between the ends of the longer ones.

• 4

  Slide the remaining two short boards between the longer boards halfway along their length, parallel to the shorter boards on either end. Secure the completed frames by driving 3-inch wood screws through the longer boards into the thickness of the shorter boards.

• 5

  Use the circular saw to cut six more pieces of 2-by-4-inch hardwood for the vertical supports to connect the upper and lower frame. Cut these boards using the desired height of the bench seat, minus 8 inches.

• 6

  Stand the vertical supports upright on top of one of the rectangular frames, aligning the edges with the shorter boards in the frame. Position one of the supports in each of the four corners, aligning the outside edge of the board with the corner itself.

• 7

  Place the remaining two boards upright on top of the short board in the center, aligning the outside edges with the front and back edge of the frame. Attach the vertical supports to the frame by driving 3-inch wood screws at a downward angle into the frame. This technique is called toe-nailing.

• 8

  Set the second rectangular frame on top of the vertical supports you just installed. Adjust the position of the frame so it is aligned with the vertical supports in just the same manner as the lower frame. Toe-nail 3-inch wood screws through the vertical supports into the upper frame to secure it.

Installing and Finishing the Bench Seating

• 9

  Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall and mark their position lightly on the wall in pencil. You can erase these marks later.

• 10

  Slide the bench seat frame up against the wall in the desired position. If you are building your bench seating into a wall nook, the frame should be flush against the walls at the back and on both sides. Attach the frame to the wall by driving 3-inch wood screws through the frame into the wall studs.

• 11

  Cut a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood to the length and height of your bench seating to serve as the front panel. Using the length and depth measurements, cut another sheet of 3/4-inch plywood for the top panel. If the sides of your bench are open, cut two sheets of plywood using the depth and height measurements to cover them.

• 12

  Lay the sheets of plywood flat against the frame, aligning the edges. Drive nails from a nail gun through the plywood into the hardwood frame to install the panels.

• 13

  Paint or stain your completed bench seat to match the decor in your kitchen. Once the bench has dried completely, add seat cushions or throw pillows to make the bench more comfortable.