Front Entry Bench

I love an organized garage, so lockers for the area next to the back door were high on my priority list when we moved in.  While I was out of town for a few days, my cute hubby surprised me and built the cutest bench with a place for baskets, a planked back, and hooks for hanging coats and bags. He whitewashed it, which is one of my most favorite ways to refinish wood pieces.  I LOVE it, and it was so fun to come home and see it in my garage.

Except…it was way too cute for the garage.  :)  However, I had been looking for just the perfect thing to go in my front entry.  My poor husband and dad had to move it again, so my mom and I could see what it looked like, and that was it…love at first sight!

I’m sorry I don’t have any plans or pictures of the process…I’m still trying to convince my husband of their importance.  I will tell about one of our favorite ways to make anything “planked”—which we used in this piece, and several others.

Furring strips are pieces of wood (usually spruce) that are about 3/4 inch thick and 2.5 inches wide.  They are also CHEAP, which is what we especially love about them. :)  At our Home Depot, an 8 foot furring trip is just $1.12!!  They can also be used inside or outside, which opens up the possibilities for their use. Do you love the planked signs that are everywhere right now?  Using furring strips is an inexpensive way to make your own!  They will be a little thinner than using a 2×4, but they just as cute, with a slightly different look.

 We use our front door a lot more in this house, and it’s SO nice to have baskets right by the door. It keeps the hall uncluttered (which makes me crazy), and my kids know exactly where their shoes should go.  A place for everything…it makes me happy.  :)

 Front entry?  Check.

Garage?  Starting over!

{kierste}

Share and save for later!

27 Comments

  1. Your hubby really needs to explain how this was made. I have been wanting something exactly like (bench, with baskets, planking and whitewashed) this for my entry as well. Love it!!!

  2. What a fabulous surprise to come home to! What a sweet guy you have. :)
    Love it anywhere…front entry…living room…mudroom…
    Kelly

  3. I love this!! I have been looking for just the right piece for my small mudroom. This would be perfect!

  4. Wow! Don’t forget to count your lucky stars that you have a husband that is both willing to surprise you AND handy! Looks great! I agree, definitely entry worthy.

    1. The baskets are from Crate and Barrel, and I love them! Super durable–have lasted a long time with lots of busy children! XO

  5. Can you give me the dimensions for the base of the bench and the size of the baskets please? Thanks!

    1. Sure! The base of the bench (not including the molding around the edges) is 65 inches wide, and 19 inches deep. The baskets are 10 inches wide, and 17 inches deep. I already had the baskets, but I could have gone up to 11 or 12 inches wide if I wanted to. I do like that there is plenty of room for them to come in and out, though!!

  6. I love this! Trying to do something similar :) I have the bench already with similar dimensions. Can you share dimensions, materials, process for the backboard/ wall piece? Thank you!

  7. Love the bench, wish I had room to put something like this in our front entrance. It’s gorgeous.

  8. What is the overall height of this piece? The 65″ & 19″ is outside to outside? What is the back board process? Thank you!!! I love this piece!! I’m thinking Rustic Black!! WOOT!

    1. I would love to measure it for you, Jennifer, but it’s currently in storage–we are in temporary housing while building a house. But as soon as it’s done, I will totally get that measurement for you! I can guess—it’s around 6.5-7 feet tall–if that helps. xoxo

  9. Your guess does help! – Thank you! Would you mind sharing the back board process please? :) xoxo

    1. I wish!! It’s still in storage, so we don’t have anything work with quite yet. I’m so sorry!

  10. Has your hubby decided to make plans for this yet?
    We are about to move and I think this would be perfect for our front entry!

    1. I’m so sorry!! Our house is ALMOST finished, but everything including that bench is in storage, so we can’t do it quite yet. We are getting so much closer!!! Please remind me again! xoxo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.