Absolute beginner DIYer starting small with a mudroom. Can you confirm if my process is correct before I begin, and if I should change anything to the plan?

I have a nook in my house that’s meant for a mudroom so I thought I would practice with this little space first, before starting on larger built in projects I actually need (closet shelving, laundry cabinets etc). The Pinterest image is close to what I want, minus the doors and 3 drawers at the bottom. For now an empty shelf area at the bottom is fine, but I do want a bench top people can sit on. It should be 16-18” high for seating. My plan: Remove baseboards Build a platform frame out of 2x4s which I’ll screw together, then screw into the wall (can’t screw into the floor as we have concrete subfloor). Add a thin piece of plywood or MDF atop the 2x4s to complete the platform. Take (4) 1x12s and screw them into the platform using pocket holes, and into the studs on the wall — one on the left, the right, and the back of the nook to act as cleats for the shelf/bench above, as well as one in the middle as support. Those will act as cleats for the shelf that will go on top of it. Add the bench top, another 1x12, rested and screwed on top of the cleats and support. Add shiplap or bead board along the length of the back wall (maybe the sides as well, screw/ nail them into the walls Add cleats for (2) top shelves, then add the shelves on top of them Maybe add vertical pieces to the top shelves to break them up. Maybe add doors to make them cabinets not sure. Add upholstered foam padding to the bench, maybe stick it down with Velcro so it can be removed and washed. Add baseboards back to the front. What am I missing? Please don’t judge as I am a beginner and I may have made mistakes here. I’m basing this off of all the tutorials I’ve seen. Is there anything I can do to make it stronger? I was thinking about doubling the 1x12 cleats, and adding edge tape to make everything look clean/ hide the cleats. submitted by /u/00vani [link] [comments]

Mar 9, 2025 - 02:17

I have a nook in my house that’s meant for a mudroom so I thought I would practice with this little space first, before starting on larger built in projects I actually need (closet shelving, laundry cabinets etc).

The Pinterest image is close to what I want, minus the doors and 3 drawers at the bottom. For now an empty shelf area at the bottom is fine, but I do want a bench top people can sit on. It should be 16-18” high for seating.

My plan:

Remove baseboards
Build a platform frame out of 2x4s which I’ll screw together, then screw into the wall (can’t screw into the floor as we have concrete subfloor). Add a thin piece of plywood or MDF atop the 2x4s to complete the platform.
Take (4) 1x12s and screw them into the platform using pocket holes, and into the studs on the wall — one on the left, the right, and the back of the nook to act as cleats for the shelf/bench above, as well as one in the middle as support. Those will act as cleats for the shelf that will go on top of it.
Add the bench top, another 1x12, rested and screwed on top of the cleats and support.
Add shiplap or bead board along the length of the back wall (maybe the sides as well, screw/ nail them into the walls
Add cleats for (2) top shelves, then add the shelves on top of them
Maybe add vertical pieces to the top shelves to break them up. Maybe add doors to make them cabinets not sure.
Add upholstered foam padding to the bench, maybe stick it down with Velcro so it can be removed and washed.
Add baseboards back to the front.

What am I missing? Please don’t judge as I am a beginner and I may have made mistakes here. I’m basing this off of all the tutorials I’ve seen. Is there anything I can do to make it stronger?

I was thinking about doubling the 1x12 cleats, and adding edge tape to make everything look clean/ hide the cleats.

submitted by /u/00vani
[link] [comments]