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How to Build a Mudroom Bench

Home/Resources/Storage & Organization/Mudroom Bench
DH
Written & researched by Derek Holt Home & Appliances Editor
Updated August 2026
Golden-hour view of a person stacking plain unmarked storage bins on garage shelving

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A mudroom bench with cubbies is a satisfying weekend intermediate build — no permit, nothing structural — for roughly 100 to 250 dollars in plywood and finish (2026). You need a circular saw or track saw, a drill, and a pocket-hole jig or screws. The design is a plywood box with vertical dividers that form shoe cubbies and also support a seat you can sit on at 17 to 19 inches high. The keys are transferring the seat load straight down through the dividers to the floor, gluing and screwing every joint, and anchoring the finished bench to the wall studs so it cannot slide or tip when someone leans on it.

How to Build a Storage Bench - Ask This Old House

Tools and materials

Over-the-shoulder view of a person stacking plain unmarked storage bins on garage shelving, in bright midday sun

Step 1: Size the bench

Decide the length to fit your entry wall and set the seat height at 17 to 19 inches and depth around 16 inches. Plan the cubby count — dividers every 12 to 16 inches both create the cubbies and support the seat. Draw a cut list. If you will add a hook rail above, note its height (about 60 inches for adults) now.

Step 2: Build the box and dividers

Cut the sides, bottom, and dividers, then assemble the carcass with glue and screws or pocket-hole joinery, keeping it square by checking the diagonals. Space the dividers evenly; they carry the seat load straight to the floor, so they must be plumb and firmly joined to the bottom. Add a back panel or back rail for rigidity.

Overhead view of a person stacking plain unmarked storage bins on garage shelving, in warm late-afternoon light

Step 3: Attach the seat

Cut the 3/4-inch seat to overhang the front slightly and set it on the dividers, front rail, and back rail. Glue and screw it down at every support. Because it sits on the dividers, the seat transfers weight straight down rather than flexing — never span a wide open box with an unsupported seat, as it will crack under repeated use.

Step 4: Add the face frame and fill

Apply 1x2 face-frame pieces to the front edges of the box and dividers for a built-in look and to hide the plywood edges. Fill all nail holes and screw pockets with wood filler, then sand flush. This trim step is what turns a plywood box into furniture.

Three-quarter view of a person stacking plain unmarked storage bins on garage shelving, in soft overcast light

Step 5: Prime, paint, and anchor

Prime everything — especially any MDF edges — and apply two coats of a durable enamel that stands up to scuffs and wet shoes. Once dry, set the bench in place, level it with shims if the floor is uneven, and drive screws through a back cleat into the wall studs so it cannot slide or tip.

Where to go next

A mudroom bench pairs with a shoe rack, floating shelves for keys and mail, and under-stair drawers if the entry is near a staircase. Everything sits under the storage and organization hub.

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Straight Answers

Frequently Asked

How tall should a mudroom bench be?

A comfortable seat height is 17 to 19 inches off the floor, the same as a dining chair, so people can sit to put on shoes without perching or crouching. Make it 16 inches deep or so for the seat, enough to sit fully without a huge footprint. If you add a hook rail above, mount the hooks about 60 inches up for coats and a lower row around 48 inches for kids. Build the storage cubbies below the seat to hold shoes and baskets.

What wood should I use for a mudroom bench?

Three-quarter-inch plywood (birch or maple for a paint-grade finish) is the practical choice for the box and cubby dividers because it is stable, strong, and screws well. Some builders use MDF for a paint-grade top and dividers since it machines smooth, but MDF hates moisture, so keep it off the floor and prime every edge. For the seat, use a solid 3/4-inch plywood or a glued-up hardwood top that can take a person's full weight repeatedly.

Does a mudroom bench need to be anchored to the wall?

A freestanding bench you sit on is stable if the base is wide, but anchoring it to the wall studs is smart insurance — it stops the bench from sliding or tipping when someone leans on a tall back or hook rail, and it locks a built-in look in place. Drive a couple of screws through a back cleat into studs. If the bench includes a tall coat rack or upper cabinets, anchoring becomes essential, not optional, because those make it top-heavy.

How do I make a bench seat strong enough to sit on?

Support the seat on the cubby dividers and a front and back rail so the load transfers straight down to the floor through the vertical panels, not just through the seat board's edges. Glue and screw every joint. A 3/4-inch plywood seat over dividers spaced 12 to 16 inches apart easily holds an adult; a seat spanning a wide open box with no mid-supports will flex and eventually crack. The dividers double as cubby walls and seat supports.

Is building a mudroom bench a weekend project?

For an intermediate DIYer, yes — a cubby bench is a weekend build: a day to cut and assemble the box and dividers, and a day to fill nail holes, prime, and paint. The joinery is straightforward butt joints reinforced with screws or pocket holes. The finish work and paint drying take as long as the build. It is a great step up from a first shelf project because it introduces a load-bearing seat and a face-frame look.