How To Build a Firewood Storage Bench

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2021 Issue of This Old House Magazine.

A wood fire is a cozy addition to any home, but constantly going outside to get logs can dampen the mood. Building a firewood storage bench solves this problem by keeping dry wood close while providing a convenient seat for removing your boots. In the video above, Jenn Largesse from House One demonstrates how to build a modern cedar bench with an open shelf for firewood storage. The design uses a combination of 2-by-4 boards for a sturdy frame and 1-by-6 boards for an attractive exterior finish.

Materials and Tools Needed To Build a Firewood Storage Bench

Before starting this project, gather the following materials and tools:

Materials:

• 1 1/2-inch 18-gauge nails
• 2 1/2-inch stainless-steel pocket-hole screws
• 3-inch No. 10 stainless-steel deck screws
• Exterior wood glue
• Five 8-foot long 1×6 cedar boards
• Three 8-foot long 2×4 cedar boards

Tools:

• 6-inch square-drive bit
• 7/64-inch drill bit
• 18-gauge nailer
• Drill/driver
• Miter saw
• Orbital sander
• Pocket-hole jig
• Rafter square

Cut List

• 1×6 legs (outside): six @ 17 1/4 inches
• 1×6 top: three @ 48 inches
• 1×6 shelf: three @ 43 1/2 inches
• 2×4 frame (top and bottom): four @ 18 inches
• 2×4 seat frame support: two @ 39 1/2 inches
• 2×4 seat frame support: one @ 11 inches
• 2×4 frame (sides): four @ 14 1/4 inches
• 2×4 shelf support: one @ 15 inches

Cedar is a great choice because it’s naturally resistant to rot, insects, and weather damage. However, it’s a soft wood and may show signs of wear over time as firewood is loaded and unloaded.

Preparing the Wood

Before assembly, cut all the wood pieces to the correct sizes. This preparation leads to a smooth building process and a well-fitted final product.

1. Use a miter saw to cut the cedar 2x4s and 1x6s according to the cut list.
2. Set aside an 8-foot 1×6 for the face frame.
3. Use a pocket-hole jig to drill two pocket holes into each end of the long 2×4 seat-frame pieces and the crosspiece.

Scroll down for a list of tools and materials for this project.

Assembling the Frame

The frame forms the backbone of your firewood storage bench, providing stability and structure. Follow these steps for correct assembly:

Building the Legs

1. Set a 2×4 base board on its edge and position two leg pieces against it, facedown and aligned with the board’s ends.
2. Apply glue to the legs’ ends, and drill two pilot holes through the base and into the legs.
3. Drive 3-inch deck screws into the pilot holes.
4. Use a rafter square to check that the parts are perpendicular.
5. Repeat the process to assemble the second leg.

Constructing the Top Frame

1. With the pocket holes facing up, align and glue together the ends of the 2×4 seat-frame pieces.
2. Keep them perpendicular with a rafter square and drive pocket-hole screws through the ends of the long boards and into the end boards.
3. Center the 2×4 crosspiece and install it using glue and pocket-hole screws.

Connecting the Top and Legs

1. Stand the legs upright with the base boards facing inward.
2. Apply glue to the tops of the legs and set the assembled seat frame on them, flush with their outside edges.
3. Drill two pilot holes through the seat frame and into the top of each leg.
4. Fasten the seat to the legs with deck screws driven through each pilot hole.

Adding the Cedar Cladding

The cedar cladding gives the bench its finished look and protects the frame from the elements. Here’s how to attach it.

Cladding the Ends

1. Apply glue to one face at each end of the 1×6 cedar cladding.
2. Position one vertically against the frame, flush with its back edge, and secure it with 1 1/2-inch nails.
3. Use a 3/4-inch-thick spacer to set a second 1×6 against the first one and nail it to the frame.
4. Nail the third end piece flush with the front edge.
5. Repeat on the bench’s other end.

Creating the Seat

1. Apply glue to the frame’s top and the end cladding.
2. Position the first cedar seat board flush with the front edge, covering the end cladding.
3. Drive nails through the seat board into the end cladding and the frame.
4. Use 3/4-inch spacers to nail the next seat board parallel to the first one.
5. Nail the last board flush with the frame’s back edge.

Installing the Shelf and Support

1. Apply glue to the baseboard’s face.
2. Bed the shelf ends in the glue, centering the middle board and positioning the front and back ones flush with their respective frame edges.
3. Nail the shelf boards to the baseboard.
4. Apply glue to the top face of the 2×4 support.
5. Center it and set its end flush with the frame’s back edge, then nail the shelf boards to it.

Attaching the Face Frame

The face frame gives the bench a polished, finished look. Here’s how to attach it:

1. Miter one end of each vertical 1×6 face-frame piece and both ends of the horizontal face-frame.
2. Apply glue to the frame’s front edges, cedar seat board, and cladding.
3. Nail the pieces to the frame, flush with the seat’s top edge and the legs’ outside ends.

In the video, Largesse mentions ripping the face frame boards slightly narrower to create a larger opening for the firewood. This is an optional step that you can do with a table saw if desired.

Finishing Touches

To complete your firewood storage bench, take these steps:

1. Sand any rough edges or surfaces with an orbital sander.
2. Apply a weather-resistant finish if desired to protect the wood further.
3. Let the bench dry completely.