Mudroom Bench

[Kurt Cady]

I would like to make something similar to this for my entry off the garage.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-...301255,00.html

But after seeing the Hope Chest by Jim Eller in the finished projects forum, I am contemplating substituting raised panels instead.

Anyone have any guidance as to which way I should go? I realize it is all an opinion, but opinions wanted.

Thanks

[Lee Schierer]

This isn't quite the same thing as your bench but it does show what your raised panels might look like in the finished piece.

[Jamie Buxton]

You do understand that putting raised panels in that TOH design would be an almost total redesign, right? That design emulates frame-and-panel design. It uses a plywood box for the real structure, and the "frame" is a facade stuck on the plywood. It is a fast and low-tech way of giving the look of real frame-and-panel. With real raised panels, the frame is structural -- that is, it is what holds up the seat. There is real joinery in the frame. True frame-and-panel ain't rocket science, but it does take more more work with the joinery -- as well as with the panels themselves.

[Kurt Cady]

Yeah, I understand the work and redesign required w raised panels.

Just wondering if people had in insight aesthetically speaking...

[Jamie Buxton]

Okay, I'll give you an opinion... I love wood. I'm not fond of paint. I'd build the bench from beautiful hardwood, with a clear finish. With beautiful-enough wood, raising panels is unecessary. The wood itself is decoration.

[Kurt Cady]

I love wood too. I thought about that but I think this project, with the beadboard backing, etc it's going to be painted.

[Brian Tymchak]

Kurt,

I think that would be a very attractive piece of furniture.

One thought though. Have you tried out a bench before with a closed in base? I have not, but I've always thought that it might be a bit awkward to use. IMHO, I think you could be kicking your heels into that bottom panel a lot, particularly when you get up, but maybe even when trying to sit down. I just tried getting up out of my chair a few times as a test and I invariably bring my feet in a few inches under the chair to rise. I think you might want some relief for your heels under that bench. Kind of like a toe-kick under a cabinet. Call it a "heel-kick"??

If you haven't tried it out, maybe you can spend a few minutes to mock up something like that front panel under a chair to see how it goes. Better to experiment before cutting the wood. If you find it to be a problem, maybe the answer can be as simple as extending the lid a few inches out over the base to give some relief.

Brian

[Kurt Cady]

That's a good idea. I think I will see about extending the lip. I want as much storage as possible in the bench.

The idea came about because I was shopping for a shoe rack because I have about a dozen pairs sitting on the floor in front of the door. (To answer your question, yes I am single so I don't have someone telling me where to put them or constantly moving them) Then the next Monday I realized that I always sit on the steps and put my shoes on.

The bench kills 2 birds with one stone. I've got to modify the plans to have it fit in the 40" between a wall and the double doors into the game room