A place for everything and everything in its place. Today it’s a DIY locker and bench unit for my friend’s mudroom area.
Build this locker style mudroom locker and bench units for your space. With an organized system all the shoes, jackets and things have a place!
My friend has four kids who need designated, individual spaces to store their coats, shoes and all kinds of stuff kids collect. And she lives in an old home built way before ‘mudrooms’ were invented.
I drew up plans and constructed this locker and bench unit for what is now her new mudroom space just inside the door:
I designed the unit to fit the wall space we had and then I built wood bins to fit inside the first shelf space:
This transformation went from 6 hooks on the wall and a hope chest in the BEFORE picture:
TO 15 hooks inside 5 lockers, 5 large shoe baskets and 10 cubby shelves which all takes up just about the same amount of floor space. So fresh, so organized even if the items inside aren’t completely organized she now has a designated space for things.
Each locker has lots of hooks for backpacks, coats, umbrellas, sports gear, etc:
And the baskets under the bench go WAY back, 22″ deep, so there’s plenty of room for multiple pairs of shoes and boots:
I drew up the plans by modifying a few of Ana White’s plans to meet our size requirements.
I used Ana’s small locker cabinet:
Ultimately my plans looked like this:
The locker portion is 81″w x 68″h x 14″d and the bench is 80″w x 18″h x 24″d
Here’s how I made the locker and bench units:
1. Construct bench box and add dividers:
2. Add face frame with 1x2s and back footer is a 1×4:
3. Prime and paint three coats Benjamin Moore high gloss white enamel:
4. Construct locker unit using 1x4s for shelf and base cross supports:
5. Prime and paint same as bench:
6. Prime and paint backing prior to attaching.
Secure lockers to bench with mending plates in back and L brackets in front sides. And don’t forget to add hardware using hanging hooks.
SHOP THIS POST:
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
July 19, 2012 at 12:05 PMLOVE them, jaime! they look AMAZING!!!!!
jcprime1 says
May 24, 2017 at 12:23 PMThanks Cassie, that was a beast of a build but soooo worth it for all the storage.
Creative Escapes says
July 19, 2012 at 12:53 PMI could look at your sight all day – love it! These turned out great!
jcprime1 says
May 24, 2017 at 12:23 PMThank you, please feel free to look all day 😉
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
July 19, 2012 at 1:10 PMOh I love it. How fun is this. Such a great storage piece. Looks beautiful. Hugs, Marty
jcprime1 says
May 24, 2017 at 12:24 PMThanks Marty. So much storage, divided and organized makes a momma happy!
Okio B Designs says
July 19, 2012 at 1:39 PMWow! I mean really, wow! That turned out amazing! Wish I had a space for something like that in my house.
Jeanine
Katy says
July 19, 2012 at 5:11 PMwhere are these L brackets located? curious.
looks great!
Emily says
July 19, 2012 at 7:40 PMMan… I wish we had the space for that in our house. It would come in really handy when the kids start school and sports in a few years.
fatos says
July 19, 2012 at 11:31 PMsuper and functional:)
Suzanne@Meridian Road says
July 20, 2012 at 1:37 AMStorage never looked so good!
Strawberries and Sweet Love says
July 20, 2012 at 2:33 AMWow! Very cool! I want one so bad!
Karen Mary Butterfly says
July 20, 2012 at 3:34 AMWow. You did a fantastic job. Looked complicated to me 🙂 It's a great alternative to a mudroom….not many here in California. It's really beautiful! great job!
Vintage Street Designs says
July 21, 2012 at 1:24 PMWow..it is gorgeous!!! You did a beautiful job! ~ Judy
Tammigirl says
July 22, 2012 at 2:06 PMWhat a lot of work! Wow! I really am impressed by these because they are also beautiful.
Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says
July 22, 2012 at 4:01 PMI'm so impressed! They are fantastic! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from DIY Project Parade. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House which goes live at 8am CST on Monday. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Linda @ it all started with paint says
July 22, 2012 at 5:01 PMUm, wow! I'm stunned at your expertise with those power tools! Seriously … this diy is WAY over my head …
… but the results are simply amazing …
🙂
Linda
Alese says
July 23, 2012 at 12:37 PMWOW! I bet they are so happy with that much more functional "mudroom." I LOVE this project! I blog over at http://www.2crafty4myskirt.blogspot.com/ Every Friday I feature a fellow crafter. I would love to feature you and this porject in an upcoming Friday. If you are interested please let me know toocraftyformyskirt@hotmail.com
Kei says
July 24, 2012 at 12:25 PMThose are so gorgeous, they really make the place look smart! I love the look of lockers like that: both stylish and functional 🙂
Anneke {RustiChic} says
July 24, 2012 at 5:36 PMWow. I am seriously impressed. I know there was a lot of thought and work put into those! I love Ana White and what you've built here would definitely make her proud! 🙂
Anneke {RustiChic} says
July 24, 2012 at 5:37 PMOops! Forgot to put my new page: http://www.thisthatandlife.com I'm not under RustChic anymore! 😉
Steph @ somewhatsimple says
July 24, 2012 at 6:51 PMAmazing!
DIY Show Off says
July 26, 2012 at 1:33 AMOkay. Seriously. Can you fly into Pittsburgh?! You're awesome. This is amazing!
Kelly says
July 26, 2012 at 1:57 AMSo cool! I'd love to see it once it's all filled up with the stuff of 4 kids!
Liz says
July 26, 2012 at 5:24 AMGREAT idea!! Liz
Between Blue and Yellow says
July 26, 2012 at 5:56 PMWow! That is fantastic, I really need something like that for my kitchen, thanks for the step by step.
Toodie says
July 28, 2012 at 2:17 PMOMG, what a fabulous piece of work!!! I think I need one!
suzyq says
July 30, 2012 at 10:17 AMWow – absolutely brilliant!!!
Unknown says
September 6, 2012 at 6:09 PMLove this! Where did you get the baskets from?
Unknown says
September 6, 2012 at 6:09 PMLove this! Where did you get the baskets from?
Melissa says
September 11, 2012 at 1:37 AMWe really love this and are looking to copy it. I've been looking around at baskets and can't find anything close to the depth you found. Where did you find these baskets? Thanks!
Keeping My Cents says
October 4, 2012 at 11:52 AML.O.V.E. this. I want one so bad but inside my garage since I don't have space inside. Can you tell me how much the materials came to?
Lisa
Thomas says
January 24, 2013 at 9:51 PMWhat wood did you use? Plywood? White Pine boards? I'm trying to build one my self but don't know what type or thickness to use. Thanks! And very impressive work!
Kneester says
March 12, 2013 at 4:08 AMI am also curious about what type of wood you used as well? And any idea on what the materials cost you? Great project!
reachstars17 says
August 17, 2013 at 1:46 PMAbsolutely love this design! What's better than custom cubbies for your entryway or laundry room? Definitely will be trying your plan out!
remhed says
January 17, 2014 at 9:13 PMHow do you attach the shelves to the upright dividers? You can't screw / nail them in from the sides because there is a shelf on the other side of the divider!
jcprime1 says
January 17, 2014 at 9:38 PMRemhed the shelves are attached using pocket holes from the underside. Both units are built using pocket holes where ever possible and then filling the holes with plugs.
Steven Krumbah says
January 18, 2014 at 5:46 AMI'm making one for some friends. unfortunately they too want painted, but oh well.
remhed says
January 21, 2014 at 4:56 PMThank you for the quick response Jaime- I couldn't see the pocket holes since you plugged them in! So the "feet" on the front of the bench is actually the 1×2 trim pieces, right? I assume that is plenty sturdy? You then say the back "footer" is a 1×4 but I can't see in the pic how you have that attached / arranged. The front feet are not 4" off the ground, so how are you doing that back footer? Thanks!
jcprime1 says
May 24, 2017 at 12:25 PMRemhed – yes the feet are 1×2 trim except at both ends which are solid 3/4" ply all the way back. The back footer is attached using pocket holes and a 1×4 is actually 3 1/2" high. So you have 3 1/2" on the front side from the bottom of the shelf to the floor. Add your 1×2 trim which is 1 1/2" wide (minus 3/4" to cover the shelf edge) and now you've only got 2 3/4" clearance from below the trim to the floor and that's what you're seeing in the pic.
Allison says
May 27, 2014 at 5:30 PMThis is almost exactly what I need for my kids. I am hoping my dad and I can build it. Thanks so much. One question for right now-I noticed that there is beadboard and trim up behind the cabinet. The room we are putting these in already has beadboard in it that goes about 30" up the wall with trim on top. How did you attach the unit to the wall with the beadboard and trim still in place?
Ann DeCapite says
August 18, 2014 at 10:25 PMMy husband is building this for me, and I am doing the painting. Did you use a paint sprayer, brush, or roller to do the painting?
Erin says
September 13, 2014 at 9:31 PMJaime, I'd also love to know where you got the baskets. Great job!!
Stacey says
February 22, 2015 at 7:05 PMDo you have exact instructions to make this? For someone who has never done it before?
jcprime1 says
May 24, 2017 at 12:26 PMYes here: http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2015/10/locker-style-mudroom-locker-cubbies.html
stephenn richardsonn says
April 1, 2015 at 9:41 AMNice article and thanks for sharing.
Work Lockers
KellyF says
October 24, 2015 at 1:43 PMOMG, thank you for these plans. I'm not very confident doing it myself. There are five of us in our family and I thought out just making 2 of two lockers – mommy doesn't really need one, right? This is perfect!! Thank you again!
Nicole Goedker says
October 8, 2016 at 3:40 PMWhere did you get your bottom baskets?
jcprime1 says
May 24, 2017 at 12:27 PMThe baskets are from Homegoods. I highly suggest sourcing the baskets FIRST and then building to fit.
jcprime1 says
May 24, 2017 at 12:26 PMThis is 3/4" plywood and pine boards. I used pocket holes and finish nails to build. The link to the full plans is here: http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2015/10/locker-style-mudroom-locker-cubbies.html
Melissa says
October 1, 2017 at 4:57 PMCan I ask about how much it cost for the parts
Jaime says
October 1, 2017 at 5:06 PMThe cost varies depending on where you live but estimate about $400 for the whole unit (lockers and bench).
Kate says
February 3, 2018 at 8:24 PMPerfection! Exactly what I am looking for. Thank you so much for sharing your plans and thoughtful attention to detail! — Kate, http://www.housemixblog.com
Denise says
February 23, 2018 at 10:15 AMI don’t have any children in the home. But heck we all need storage. This is exactly what I had in mind for a look, only we will sink it in the wall. Thanks for your showing just how you guys did it. Spot on!
Jaime says
February 25, 2018 at 1:45 PMYou are very welcome Denise, thank you for taking the time to leave a nice note. Good luck with your build.
Jaimie says
September 2, 2018 at 9:26 PMWe are making this with 7 “lockers” for my family! I can’t wait for it to be finished! It’s exactly what my 5 kids and their “stuff” need!
Jaime says
September 3, 2018 at 9:24 AMGreat news, I love hearing from other families who are creating organized space for ‘all the stuff’. Please share once it’s all complete, I’d love to see the finished project 🙂
LA says
March 7, 2019 at 2:16 PMThanks for this info, great job – this will have your kids organized in a jiffie. I’ve sent this to my hubs to show him that yes, you can have 5 cubbies and narrow-ish ones and with the rational I was thinking about as we too have x5. We plan on using reclaimed timber and ‘something’ with a plastic lining in the bottom tubs for their winter boots so we can wash them out come summer time etc.