How to Build a DIY Hall Tree Bench

written by Melissa Dalton | illustration by Charla Pettingill

This weekend project has a triple purpose: as shoe cubbies, a bench and coat storage. It assumes the expanse of wall covered is 6 feet wide by 8 feet tall, but you can massage those dimensions as needed.

1 PREP THE SUPPORTS

Using a 1×12, cut four boards at 18 inches tall each. These will be the walls for the shoe cubbies and the supports for the bench. At the rear of each board, cut an L-shaped notch at the top and bottom. This is so the supports will be flush against the rails, which are against the wall. The bottom stile at the floor will be a 1×6, at 6 feet long, and the next one will be a 1×4, also 6 feet long, running horizontal on the wall.

Once the support boards are notched, do a dry fit with the 1×6 and 1×4 rails to make sure every-thing fits together flush. Use sand-paper to smooth down the edges and get a tight fit.

2 ATTACH SUPPORTS AND RAILS

Pre-drill holes for 1½-inch screws at each notched section, and where it lines up with the rail. This pre-drilled hole will prevent the wood from cracking. Add wood glue to each hole, before sinking the screws and attaching the rails and supports. Wipe away excess glue. Now you have the framework for the cubbies and the bench seat.

3 ADD THE BENCHTOP

Use a 1×12 for the benchtop, cut at 6 feet long. Run a bead of glue along the top of the supports. Line up the benchtop so it fits the framework, and use an air nailer to attach the bench to the supports. Plug any impressions from the nails with wood filler.

4 PAINT OR STAIN

Lightly sand the entire framework, and then paint or stain with your preferred finish.

5 PREP THE WALL

This project can be done with a ¼-inch plywood backer board, or by attaching the stiles (vertical boards) and rails directly to the wall. If starting with a plywood back, cut the boards to size to cover the 6-by-8-foot expanse, making sure any seams will be covered by the vertical stiles. Attach the plywood to the wall with the air nailer, securing nails in studs where possible.

6 INSTALL

Place the cubbies and bench against the wall, with the bottom rail flush. Attach with the air nailer every foot. For the rail underneath the bench, attach using screws and sink them into studs. Next, attach the horizontal coat rail about 18 inches or 2 feet from the top rail. Use screws and sink them into studs, so when coats are hanging from it, there will be enough support for their weight. Attach the top rail using the air nailer.

Next, cut the vertical stiles to the correct lengths, so they fit between the benchtop and the coat rail, and again between the coat rail and top rail. Line them up with the vertical supports of the cubbies below, and attach with the air nailer. Finish the entire wall with the desired paint and stain, and add coat hooks to the coat rail.