UO DIY: Reclaimed Book Bench
Running out of space for your books but no room for another bookshelf? Yeah, us too. For a DIY solution, we teamed up with the creative geniuses behind The Classroom Collective to create a handmade solution that doubles as a bench.
Photos by The Classroom Collective
We sized our book bench according to the width and height of a queen size bed, but this bench can be modified to fit any desired size. Because of the nature of reclaimed wood, your sizes in width may vary slightly.
Finished Dimensions: 58” long x 15” tall
Supplies:
-8 large L Brackets
-32 screws
-Power Drill
-Reclaimed Wood —two cuts at 3" thick, 10-13" wide for a good chunky look, and 58" long
-2 cuts of 10" legs (cut from the same wood we used for the base and top)
Step 1: Place your base.
Step 2: Place the first leg on the base making sure it is flush with the edge. (because of our reclaimed wood, ours is flush on the front with a bit of an overhang on the back).
Step 3: Place your L bracket on the base and line it up to where you want to fasten it to the leg.
Step 4: Remove the leg and screw in L bracket to the base.
Step 5: Place leg back on the base and screw L bracket into leg.
Step 6: Screw in the second L bracket to your base and leg, at the rear of base.
Step 7: Place your second leg on the base and position it flush.
Step 8: Repeat steps 3-6.
Step 9: Place the seat of your bench on top of the base, making it flush on the two legs.
Step 10: Screw the legs into the top by fastening your L brackets directly above the bottom set of L brackets.
Step 11: Repeat for the other side.
Step 12: Fill with books and admire your handiwork!
Shop books
We sized our book bench according to the width and height of a queen size bed, but this bench can be modified to fit any desired size. Because of the nature of reclaimed wood, your sizes in width may vary slightly.
Finished Dimensions: 58” long x 15” tall
Supplies:
-8 large L Brackets
-32 screws
-Power Drill
-Reclaimed Wood —two cuts at 3" thick, 10-13" wide for a good chunky look, and 58" long
-2 cuts of 10" legs (cut from the same wood we used for the base and top)
Step 1: Place your base.
Step 2: Place the first leg on the base making sure it is flush with the edge. (because of our reclaimed wood, ours is flush on the front with a bit of an overhang on the back).
Step 3: Place your L bracket on the base and line it up to where you want to fasten it to the leg.
Step 4: Remove the leg and screw in L bracket to the base.
Step 5: Place leg back on the base and screw L bracket into leg.
Step 6: Screw in the second L bracket to your base and leg, at the rear of base.
Step 7: Place your second leg on the base and position it flush.
Step 8: Repeat steps 3-6.
Step 9: Place the seat of your bench on top of the base, making it flush on the two legs.
Step 10: Screw the legs into the top by fastening your L brackets directly above the bottom set of L brackets.
Step 11: Repeat for the other side.
Step 12: Fill with books and admire your handiwork!
Shop books
