Diy kitchen bench | eHow UK

Different types of benches can be adapted for use in kitchens.

bench image by Ritu Jethani from Fotolia.com

When most builders think of benches, they think about plank benches. These are truly simple to build. You need little more than four pieces of wood--a seat, two slabs that serve as legs, and a brace to unite the other three pieces into a rigid structure. You can also use four separate legs connected by an apron for something with a little more class. Whether you make them rustic or give them a craftsman s polish, the choice is yours. But even a plain kitchen bench can become something more. Think about styling your bench more like one you would see in a park or a garden. With a back and arms, perhaps with a cushion added, you can easily create what used to be called a gossip bench. By making one of the arms large enough to serve as a small table, you can create a telephone bench. Such small additions can turn any bench into a welcome addition to your kitchen.

Storage benches are just boxes built strong enough to sit on; some use top-mounted lids, while others use drawers or simple cubbyholes in the front. You can set them directly on the floor, perhaps with moulding around the base to give them some style. These boxes can be set on a small 2-by-2 pedestal, or you can give them small block-shaped legs. Alternatively, if the box is relatively shallow, you can add longer legs with a greater variety of shapes. Cushions are often placed on top for comfort. A 4-to-5-inch thick cushion will cause your bench to be used much more often than a common 2-inch cushion. As with plain benches, you can add arms and a back to your storage bench for a more chair-like appearance.