BUILD BENCH SEATING WITH STORAGE IN AN ALCOVE

Next, cut your wood for the frame (4x2 timber is ideal) to size using a mitre or circular saw. Attach the longest piece (for the length of the bench) to your wall using a drill and screws. Starting with the end pieces, continue to attach the rest of the wood to build your bench frame.

VINTAGE LOOK

‘The galley kitchen is fitted with cabinets from Naked Kitchens and wall-hung cupboards from Kerris Farmhouse Pine’

DINING NICHE

‘Strong blocks of colour define the different areas in our open-plan ground floor space. Here, we painted the walls in Invisible Green by Edward Bulmer’

STEP UP

‘I chose striking Designers Guild Swedish Blue paint for the stairs to contrast with the lighter walls’

Decide on the height and length you’d like your storage seat to be. You may need to remove skirting boards to fit the bench flush to the wall. Use MDF for the front and sides. Cut the pieces to size and attach them to the front and sides of the frame using wood glue, before securing with a nail gun or screws. For the seat/top, attach hinges to the frame and MDF so that it opens and you can use it for storage. Consider painting or panelling the front of the bench to decorate it. Finally, add cushions to the top to make a comfortable seat.