Building a Craftsman Style Bench

In this episode, I built a Craftsman-style bench with storage.  The design cues for this bench came from my client’s Downtown Denver home, which was built in the Craftsman style.  Specific details I pulled from their home were the rope molding corresponding to the rope molding in the wainscotting.  The stain color is very similar to the stain color in the house. I’m not certain whether that is the original stain color or if it had been refinished at some point, but when the bench was placed in the entryway, they went well together; the top has torsion hinges, so the lid doesn’t slam down.  The bench was made from white oak.

Designed for the Denver Custom Furniture scene.  Let me know if you want me to design and build a custom bench for your home.

Brian shared a time-lapse video of him building a custom craftsman-style bench with storage. He detailed the design process, which was inspired by his clients’ craftsman-style house in downtown Denver. Brian emphasized the importance of sorting lumber by grain quality and using the best-looking grain for the front panels.  It is those details that set his work apart from other furniture manufacturers.  He also discussed the use of a router with a jig for precise mortise and tenon cuts, and the creation of wooden dividers for separate panels. He also mentioned the need for a finishing room with better lighting and using pre-finished and pre-stained panels to prevent bare wood from showing due to wood movement. The project ended with Brian preparing to glue the bench’s subassemblies together and discussing the use of breadboard ends and pegs for the top.

Building a Craftsman Style Bench with Storage

Craftsman-style furniture is known for its timeless design, sturdy construction, and attention to detail. For this project, I built a custom Craftsman-style bench with storage, drawing inspiration from a client’s historic home in downtown Denver.

“All right. Today’s video is a time-lapse of me building a craftsman-style bench with storage.”

If you’re a fan of woodworking or simply appreciate the beauty of handcrafted furniture, this project is for you. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the process of building a custom craftsman-style bench inspired by a client’s historic Denver home. From selecting the right lumber to the final finishing touches, every step was carefully planned to ensure a high-quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing piece.

Design Inspiration

The design cues for this bench came directly from my client’s craftsman-style house in downtown Denver. We incorporated key elements like:

• Stain color – Matching the existing wood tones in their home.
• Trim molding – Replicating the bead molding found in their interior.

This attention to detail ensures the bench feels like a natural extension of their space rather than an added piece.

Step 1: Breaking Down the Lumber

Before any assembly begins, proper lumber selection is crucial. Here’s how I approached it:

• Grain Selection – The best-looking boards were reserved for the front panels and top, while less desirable pieces were used for the back and bottom.
• Organization – Sorting and labeling everything beforehand helps streamline the build process.

“When I break down my lumber, I make sure that I sort out the grain… The top needs appropriate grain, and any boards that are less than desirable become the back panels and the bottom.”

Step 2: Leg Assembly & Joinery

The legs are a focal point, so I paid extra attention to their construction:

• Mortise and Tenon Joints – These traditional joints ensure strength and durability.
• Grain Orientation – The most attractive grain faces outward, while the less visible sides house the joinery.
• Decorative Bevel – A tapering jig was used to add a subtle bevel to the feet for a refined look.

“I’m picking the best-looking grain to face out… The less desirable face will be where the joinery goes in.”

Step 3: Panel Construction & Bookmatching

The front panels feature a classic craftsman-style design with wooden dividers. Here’s how I achieved a seamless look:

• Bookmatching – Sawing boards in half and gluing them back together creates a symmetrical grain pattern.
• Pre-Finishing – To prevent unfinished wood from showing due to seasonal movement, I stained and finished the panels before assembly.

“I want them to be bookmatched, so I’m sawing some material in half… This gives me that nice bookmatched look.”

Step 4: Glue-Up & Subassemblies

Working in smaller sections makes the process more manageable:

• Subassemblies – The front, back, and side panels were glued separately before final assembly.
• Test Fits – Every joint was dry-fitted to ensure a perfect fit before applying glue.

“To make everything more manageable, I glued it up in subassemblies… Test fitting is crucial—if something doesn’t fit right after glue-up, it can ruin your day.”

Step 5: Breadboard Ends for the Top

The bench top features breadboard ends, a hallmark of craftsman furniture:

• Elongated Dowel Holes – These allow for wood movement while keeping the ends flush.
• Center Tenon – Only the center tenon is glued, locking the piece while letting the wood expand and contract naturally.

“The holes are elongated to allow for wood movement… Only the center tenon gets glued, keeping everything aligned.”

Final Finishing Touches

To match the client’s home, I added pre-finished bead molding (ordered to match their existing trim). A final spray finish ensured a professional, cohesive look. Conclusion

Building this craftsman-style bench was a rewarding challenge that combined traditional joinery techniques with thoughtful design choices. The result is a functional, storage-friendly bench that perfectly complements its surroundings.

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Benches

Contemporary Bench With Mitered Legs

Maple Bench

Craftsman Bench With Storage

Japanese Contemplation Bench

Cherry Custom Bench – The Group W. Bench

Stone Meditation Bench