Storage bench with a surprise

Southern Living, Oct 1998 by Griffin, Eleanor

Is your driveway turning into a space to park sports equipment rather than cars? Here's the perfect solution to solve the outdoor lockerroom syndrome: Build this goodlooking bench.

The seat opens up to reveal ample storage space for in-line skates, bats, balls, and helmets. It may be the best seat in the house for parents weary of picking up (or driving over) expensive toys and equipment.

If you lack a garage or it's sited away from your house, this weatherresistant bench pinch-hits beautifully as a holding bin for sports equipment, gardening tools, or other items that you and your family use frequently.

Our bench is 5 feet long and 40 inches tall. A more compact 4-foot version is also shown on the plans.

Built with pressure-treated pine and painted with exterior house paint, this bench will stand up to weather extremes if you keep it in a protected location, such as under an eave or on a porch. Place plastic storage tubs with lids inside the storage space to give extra protection from dampness.

For the antique finish shown here, slightly dilute exterior latex paint with water. Rub a thin coat of mixture onto the wood with a cloth or sponge, and then gently rub the surface with a clean cloth, allowing the natural wood grain to show through. To order a set of detailed plans for this bench, send a self-addressed, business-size, stamped envelope to Storage Bench Project, Southern Living, PO. Box 523, Birmingham, AL 35201. Include a check for $4 payable to Southern Living. Please allow at least four to six weeks for delivery of the plans.