Jaime Costiglio

build - paint - sew

DIY Entryway Cubbies (bench portion)

Entryway cubbies built and complete.  Today I’m sharing details on the bench portion.

diy entryway cubbies

One cubby unit on either side of the front door.

diy entryway cubbies flanking door
diy entryway cubbies mudroom
My version of this system from Pottery Barn:
pottery barn cubbies
This family of five was using this:
coat rack before
And now each child has their own space:
locker and cubby system after
Complete with labeled baskets to hold shoes, etc:
bench with storage cubbies and shoe bins
To see how I made the chalkboard name labels click here.
I modified plans from Ana White here for the base bench portion.
(This bench measures 34″wide x 20″high x 18″deep.)

diy locker cubbies over storage bench

For the full post on the upper locker section click here.


I added the additional hooks in the lockers:

polished chrome hooks locker cubby
The hooks are polished chrome to match the front door hardware:
polished chrome hooks

All filled up:

polished chrome hooks mudroom cubby

Here’s a few progress pics of the bench portion:

1. Base complete:
 (those skinny scrap wood pieces across the middle are holding the sides square until I add another 1×2 at the upper back)
build bench with cubbies
2. Painted one coat primer, two coats semi gloss white:
painted build bench with cubbies
3. Top piece was stained one coat Minwax dark walnut, 3 coats satin poly.
Added top piece by screwing down through top, screws are hidden by side and middle divider pieces of locker portion.
Locker portion is only 12″ deep therefore screws cannot go past 12″ and absolutely must be flush.
stained bench top
bench top attached to cubbies
4. Carefully place top portion on base so as not to scratch finish.
locker unit installed on bench
Secure top to base using 1″ L brackets in front corners:
L brackets to secure locker unit
and mending plates on back:
mending plate at back to secure
5. Add baskets to complete.
Up top smaller baskets for hats, gloves, etc.
baskets in cubbies
Down below larger baskets for shoes, boots, etc.

personalized shoe baskets in bench cubbies

These base sections have no backing, it isn’t really necessary but more importantly there is open access to the electrical outlets:

bench cubbies no back access to outlet

All complete:

diy locker and bench cubby unit
Looks like they were meant to be there all along.
diy locker and bench cubby units
diy entryway locker and bench cubby units
Thanks beach friend for a great project.
diy entryway locker and bench cubby units with baskets

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  6. Katy says

    good job that took a lot of patience! So what do you do with your kids while you're working? I throw pizza at mine and let them play wii all night. :/

    Reply

  45. jill wilhelm says

    I'm officially addicted to your blog and happily your newest follower! I just love all of your projects and am so impressed that you have actually built these things! I love to make things and am not afraid of a power tool, but sure wish I had someone teach me how to make the things that you do!!

    Reply

  46. Mom & Dad says

    Jamie,

    this weekemd my wife and I are going to undertake this project for the Entryway Locker system with the Bench.

    I know you modified the plans from Ana.

    Where can we get the exact specs that you used, or the exact modifications that you made to the original plan?

    Thanks!

    Reply

  48. Liana Sanjana says

    I love your dresser rehab, it's gorgeous. I just wanted to say though, that oil-based paint is high VOC and is even outlawed in some areas. I woudn't use this in an area you spend a lot of time in or a child's room. 🙂

    Reply

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