Modern Slat Bench for your Shoes 2026

A great way to enhance the entrance to your home is to have a modern slatted bench for your shoes, this place is perfect for sitting and tying your shoelaces. What better way to do it than with a shoe bench? This bench is made with red oak and hardware. Similar results can be achieved using less expensive lumber such as 2x4 or 2x6.

• Hardware kit

Tools I used in this project:

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• Table saw
• Router
• Wooden joints
• Chisels
• Japanese hand saw
• Drill and Driver Set
• Spring clamps

Steps to build a modern slat bench for your shoes:

#1: Square ends and cut to length

• Start by squaring up one end of your board with the circular saw. I thought about using a straight edge to reference my cut, but decided to try cutting the line by hand. Being slow and steady produces great results.
• Then measure to cut this board to its final length of 6 feet, mark square lines, and cut this end as well as the other side.

#2: Cutting ribbons

• Now start cutting the strips that will make up the seat of the bench. The red oak I'm using is an inch and a quarter thick and I'm cutting these strips to 2 inches wide. Ten strips are used for the seat.

#3: Cross supports

• While you cut those strips in the previous step, cut an extra one that will be used to tie all the strips and attach them to the legs. A hand saw makes quick work of cutting two pieces to 18″ long. After cutting the first piece, use it to measure and mark the second piece. That way they are exactly the same length.

#4: Router and sand

• Next, I added a chamfer to all the long edges of these slats and sanded all the pieces to their final grit of 220 grit.
• Now is a good time to arrange the pieces in the way they look best and number them in the final grain to make sure you don't accidentally mix them up.

#5: Attach cross supports

• Use ½” plywood as spacers to get even spacing between all slats and tighten them together after squaring up the edge.
• Measure 12″ along the edge and this is where we will attach my cross supports.
• Drill and countersink all the holes in both pieces so that the screws can be driven below the surface into the wood and will not interfere with the legs in a future step.
• Then use these strips as a guide to drill holes in the slats in the correct location.
• Start with the two outermost slats and screw the cross support in place so it doesn't move.
• Then drill the rest of the holes and screw in the cross bracket.
• Paste wax helps the screws go in more easily. Of course this is done on both sides.

#6: Attach the legs

• Now pre-drill the holes to attach the legs. The longest I can use without coming out the other side between the slats are the 1 ¼” screws.

#7: Umbrella container

• The umbrella compartment is designed to be a continuation of the bench seat, so... We will need some more strips. These strips are 1 1/4″ x 1/2″ x 10″
• Then sand these strips, as they will be more difficult to sand once they are glued to a panel.
• To lay out the panel, use the same plywood spacers as used for the seat.
• The fabrication of this panel is almost identical to the bench top, but instead of screwing the cross supports together, we are gluing them.
• This is the perfect opportunity to use spring clamps to hold the cross brace in place until the glue dries.
• Screws would also be a good option here if you screw them in from the back so they are not visible.
• While the glue is drying, this is good for cutting out the hanging strips.
• And of course there are two of these panels.

#8: Short side umbrella bucket

• Now we can move on to making the short sides of the umbrella container. Start by readjusting a board halfway, as it doesn't need to be as thick.
• After the band saw, the cut is cleaned on the planer.
• You can also sand with a belt sander to clean up uneven faces if you don't have a brush.
• These pieces are 4″ x 1/2″ x 10″

#9: Assembling the Umbrella Tray

• These are probably by favorite brackets that are included in this kit. The triangular shape helps prevent pooling, which is perfect for a container thatIt will get a ton of use like this.
• To assemble this tray, start by placing these supports and make sure they are aligned with the edges. The brackets hold the corners together and the rest of the edge is glued to the side pieces.
• Since the brackets keep this side closed, we only need clamps to hold the other side. However, it is a good idea to hold the side of the bracket while you tighten the screws. To make sure the joint is completely closed.

#10: Key Tray Assembly

• While the glue on the umbrella container is drying, we can focus on the key tray.
• Start by placing the bottom on the front/long side of the tray.
• With that held in place, then attach the shorter side pieces in the same way. Leave the back open for now.
• There is one more bracket included in this kit and it is these three-way brackets. I screw them to the corner if the key tray and this is how we will attach it to the rest of the bench. But first cut another strip to size to fit perfectly between the brackets and glue it in place.

#11: Final assembly and finishing

• With the glue on the umbrella container dry, temporarily fix it in place on the bench. This helps you align the bracket, pre-drill and screw it into place.
• Attaching the wrench tray was a little difficult because my impact driver didn't fit properly in the tray allowing me to drive the screws in a straight line.
• I came back from the camera with a short/stubby screwdriver to address this. A phillips bit in a wrench would also be a great option here.
• Also, off camera, I spray painted the screw heads black to better match the rest of the hardware.
• Feel free to paint them any color you want. This is the perfect place to add a touch of color.
• Next, disassemble everything and apply three coats of polyurethane. Applying the finish while everything is assembled is very complicated and makes it even more complicated when you need to sand between coats.

And with that, everything is done.

#12: Enjoy your new bench!

If you want to build a bench like this or experiment with these furniture kits, you can click here to get yours.

This version was a bit complex, but Kit n Co provides cut lists and plans for a variety of cost-effective furniture in different styles.

If you have anyIf you have a question about this build, leave it below and I'll be happy to answer it. Thank you and I hope to see you in the next project!

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