As part of our breakfast nook makeover, I wanted to create a built-in look dining bench. Not only do dining benches look cute and cozy, but they're a practical space-saver. I used IKEA kitchen cabinets to easily build a dining bench that looks built in, but it's still movable. Let me show you how to DIY a simple dining bench seat from kitchen cabinets!
Isn't this cute?! I'm so proud of this little build, and it wasn't hard at all. I made the whole thing excluding the part where I had Hubby nail the base together with his giant nail gun. I like the finishing nailer, but not that thing!
The rest was so simple - To make this DIY Bench Seat, I used these Ikea refrigerator cabinets to start with. I bought two 30" wide by 15" high cabinets to almost fill our breakfast nook wall.
I assembled the cabinets, and then I created a base that was the same dimensions out of 2x4 lumber. I included some braces in the middle of the frame. I set the cabinets on top of the base, screwed them together, and then covered the base with some trim that was the same height as the base. I love how the mitered edges and smooth texture of the trim give my bench a finished look.
Finally, I found some 2" high foam on Amazon, cut it to size, and sewed a very simple bench cushion cover using some indoor-outdoor fabric.
I love how this bench is simple, but it matches the look of our kitchen. I also love that it has lots of storage underneath for extra dishware and kitchen items that I used to store in my hutch.
As you can see, I made over the wall behind this bench to highlight the bench and add some interest to our new breakfast nook, and I'll share all of that soon!
Build a Dining Bench from Kitchen Cabinets
Not only do dining benches look cute and cozy, but they’re a practical space-saver.
Materials
- Ikea refrigerator cabinets (two 30″ wide by 15″ high cabinets)
- 2×4 lumber
- Trim
- FoamTouch Upholstery Foam 2" x 24" x 72" High Density Cushion
- Premier Prints 0432823 Jackson Indoor/Outdoor Beech Wood Fabric by The Yard
Tools
- Screwdriver
- Nail gun
- Miter Saw
Instructions
I assembled the cabinets, and then I created a base that was the same dimensions out of 2×4 lumber. I included some braces in the middle of the frame. I set the cabinets on top of the base, screwed them together, and then covered the base with some trim that was the same height as the base. I love how the mitered edges and smooth texture of the trim give my bench a finished look.
Finally, I found some 2″ high foam on Amazon, cut it to size, and sewed a very simple bench cushion cover using some indoor-outdoor fabric.
Watch my video below to learn how to make a built in looking dining bench from Ikea kitchen cabinets:
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product using these links, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
you would probably spend more time finding the right sofa for your living room and the best mattress for your room, but when it comes to the kitchen, well most people just settle for anything that comes from their contractor or designer. kitchens are just as important as any other room in the house, so you might as well make sure you do the right research for it find the right people to do that job for you.
Do you think it would be possible to have the cabinets open on top?
I'm not sure... Christina made it this way so that she didn't have to remove the bench cushions each time to access the storage space.
How deep were the cabinets for this project?
Hi Christina! Love this bench! Great job! I like that it works as a storage too! 🙂
Thanks! We love that part too!!
Hi Lindsay, Great job I mean no one can think even that how kitchen cabinets you can use this beautifully. I really appreciate your hard work to make and post it.
Yes, love what Christina did. Thank for stopping by
This is very smart.
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I liked that your bench was simple, but also matched your kitchen aesthetic. My husband and I have been thinking about redoing our kitchen with some granite countertops. We'd also like a bench for the kitchen so we'd probably go with a stone surface bench to go with it.
Thank you! For a stone surface, you may have to reinforce the base more as it would be quite a bit heavier 🙂
I was so inspired by your project and grateful for your step-by-step how-to instructions that I made my own window bench yesterday with the huge help of a carpenter who had all the power tools. I wanted to share three pictures (before, during and after) for you to see. We made a few adjustments to your instructions. 1) We added IKEA's cheapest laminate countertop (LILLTRASK) to the top of four SEKTION cabinets. A salesperson at IKEA Brooklyn highly recommended that I add a countertop because she feared that the SEKTION cabinet tops weren't strong enough to support a heavy person's weight and would sag in over time. 2) We added extra 2x4 cross supports to the base where the two cabinets meet. So, instead of 2 cabinets sharing one 2x4 for support. Each end of each cabinet has its own 2x4 to rest upon. 3) To look more "built in" we purchased matching baseboard moulding at Home Depot and nailed that to the front of the 2x4 base. Because we were using 30" and 36" stock cabinets, we were a few inches short on the sides. On the left, we made a cookbook cubby. On the right, there is a small one inch gap, but it's hard to fill because it's not perfectly straight. . 4) For a small luxury touch, we used IKEA's newer damper hinges on the cabinet doors. I like the clean look to the plain front cabinet doors (HAGGEBY) and will see if I can avoid adding knobs. They open easily if you grab the door from the bottom. Thank you again for the inspiration and helping us to save so much money!
Wow, Nice Kitchen surfaces
hi I have a question about which cabinets exactly you used for your bench when I click the link it doesn't go to the cabinets just to ikeas home page. I love this idea and it will work awesome in my small space. Just trying to figure out which ones to use.
thank you
jen
Hi! You'll want to use the refrigerator cabinet from IKEA as it's the same dimensions of the one that Christina used - hers is from their old line of cabinets. It's this one - just make sure you select the 30 x 15 one: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/sektion-top-cab-f-fridge-freezer-w-2-doors-white-grimsloev-off-white-s19376673/
So it’s 24” deep? I’m wondering if 15” would be deep enough? Also I’m wondering if a piece of plywood across the top to distribute the weight would be a good idea? Have you noticed any sagging or creaking from sitting on the cabinets? We are a pretty large size family. Thank you so much for this! I’ve been trying to buy breakfast nook furniture and I can’t find anything that’s reasonably priced, sturdy, and available.
You can add plywood on top, Christina didn't and two adults sit on it frequently without an issue. I'm not sure if 15" would be deep enough. You could always check it out at IKEA and see what you think 🙂