DIY Farmhouse "X" Bench With Breadboard Style Top

When I set out to design this bench I wanted to build something that would obviously fit in our modern farmhouse style decor, that would fit under our picture window in our livingroom for our dog to lounge on--she loves to watch the people and animals outside--and would have a bit of storage incorporated into it. I found many other benches that inspired me, check out my 12 Farmhouse Bench Inspirations post to see those, and I took bits and pieces of those designs to come up with my own. In the end, the storage that I would have been able to implement into the design wouldn't have been worth it with the way I wanted my bench to look, so I nixed that part, and this is the bench design I came up with...

I'm quite pleased with the look I was able to achieve, and, as you can see, it looks stunning positioned on the top stairway landing, below this little alcove, so I plan to make another one to put there! For the stain, in case you're wondering, I used Minwax Special Walnut. And for the charcoal paint colour, I mixed my own colour using some paints we had around the house. I mixed black paint with a bit of light grey paint to lighten my black, and then I added in a bit of yellow paint, very gradually, to warm up the grey.

I did my best to keep this bench build as simple as possible, leaving out any techniques that would be too technical for beginners, or the need for any special tools. You can make this bench with basic woodworking tools, and a pocket hole jig will be extremely helpful! Now that I have one I realize there are so many projects I can use it for, and I do use it for! It's A-MAzing!

If we take a look at my design--we'll get to the video tutorial shortly--you can see all the features I incorporated into this farmhouse style "X" bench. First, the obvious, the "X" style legs where I added a bolt for aesthetic purposes only. It does add to the strength and sturdiness of the leg pieces I'm sure, but they aren't needed, and the decision to incorporate those was purely on a visual basis.

I also added cross braces for much needed sturdiness, but they also tend to lend themselves to the style as well. These were an afterthought, but I'm so glad I added them. I painted theses black to go with the other black accents. You can stain/paint yours however you please, obviously!

The breadboard style top was one thing I knew I wanted in this bench design from the very beginning. To keep it simple I did not use the traditional Mortise and Tenon join that breadboard ends should be joined by, so that's why I call it a breadboard style top! As I state in the video, if you have the knowledge of how to do a Mortise and Tenon join for the breadboard ends then I say go for it! The wood I used for the top is a little thin, but you might still have success doing that woodworking technique. And if you want you can always use thicker boards for the bench top!

I also used black drywall screws to assemble the apron/support frame pieces, again, purely and aesthetic choice to add more black accents. I figured it would be easier than the process of getting paint to stick to regular wood screws.

Now, again with sturdiness in mind, I wanted a brace across the length of the bench, connecting the two legs to one another. Instead of just screwing the brace to each leg, which could potentially break or break off at the screws, I sandwiched it between two foot pieces on each leg. The foot pieces add a bit more style to otherwise very simple looking feet, and, once more, add to the strength of those legs, and the brace, too! With the brace close to the floor the way it is, you still have the option to store items under your bench! BONUS!

So that's my unique design for my wood bench! Before we get to the video tutorial, lets take a look at materials needed and wood cutting list!

WOOD PURCHASE LIST

• 3 @ 1" x 6" x 4'
• 2 @ 1" x 2" x 8'
• 1 @ 1" x 3" x 8'
• 1 @ 2" x 3" x 8'

WOOD CUT LIST

• 2 @ 1" x 6" x 4' --> 44"

• 1 @ 1" x 6" x 4' --> 2 @ 10-7/8"

• 1 @ 1" x 2" x 8' --> 1 @ 54-3/8"  AND  3 @ 9-1/8"

• 1 @ 1" x 2" x 8' --> 1 @ 54-5/8"  AND  1 @ 9-1/8"  AND  2 @ 10-5/8"

• 1 @ 1" x 3" x 8' --> 1 @ 55"  AND  2 @ 11-3/8"  AND  2 @ 10-1/2" with opposite 45 degree bevel cuts on either end

• 1 @ 2" x 3" x 8' --> 2 @ 9-1/8"  AND  4 @ 15-15/32" with 30 degree mitre cuts on both ends

HARDWARE TO PURCHASE

• 2 @ 1/4" Bolts 2 1/2" long
• 2 @ 1/4" Washers
• 2 @ 1/4" Nuts
• 8 @ #8 - 1-1/4" Wood Screws (I used black drywall screws for aesthetics)
• 8 @ #8 - 2-1/2" Wood Screws
• 6 @ #8 - 2" Wood Screws
• 1-1/4" Brad Nails
• 1-1/4" Pocket Screws

TOOLS & OTHER THINGS

• Mitre Saw
• Drill
• Wood Drill Bits
• Screw Driver Drill Bits
• Pocket Hole Jig & Bit
• Air Nailer (or hammer)
• Chisel
• Measuring Tape/Ruler
• Speed Square
• Clamps
• T-Bevel or Protractor
• Wood Glue
• Pencil

That's it for this post, friends! If you like my design and tutorial, please share the link with others you think may like it! You can also share the link over on facebook and Pinterest as well! Thanks for being here!

Sam ♡