Disclosure: This post is sponsored by BEHR®. All opinions are my own.

Today is the day! I finally get to reveal what I made for the #BEHRBox Challenge. If you missed my first post, you can see everything I received in my mystery box here.

I was assigned the theme “Reflection,” and tasked with making something with some of the supplies I received in my box, as well as with supplies from The Home Depot. I decided to build a DIY storage bench with an Aztec pattern.

Update: I replicated this project in another color here, and also created a video tutorial on my YouTube channel here.

I approached the theme figuratively (somewhere to sit and “reflect”) as well as literally (in the form of reflective polished nickel hardware). I love these types of challenges because they force you to step out of your comfort zone design-wise and use colors and materials you might otherwise not have thought to use.

Here’s my project!

Before I got started, I created a little moodboard with a few elements that I knew I wanted to incorporate into the project.

Supply List:

Disclosure: Affiliate links included. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

I used the following items from my #BEHRBox:

• BEHR® Marquee Paint in “In the Moment” and “Soft Focus”
• Wooster® Paintbrushes
• Liberty® Vintage Style Polished Nickel Traditional Furniture Legs in Chrome (x4)
• Liberty 3 in. Polished Nickel Awning Cup Pulls (x3)
• Painter’s Tape

And the following supplies from The Home Depot®:

• Primer
• 2 – 2×12 boards
• 2 – 1×12 boards
• 2′ x 4′ project panel in whatever thickness you choose (This is for the box bottoms. You could also attach a few 1 x boards together instead.)
• Circular Saw
• Drill
• Countersink drill bit
• Orbital Sander
• Cordless Staple Gun (a brad nailer would also work)
• 1 1/2″ staples
• 2 1/2″ Deck Screws
• Wood Glue
• Scissors
• Wood Filler
• Putty Knife

DIY STORAGE BENCH TUTORIAL

Step 1

First, cut your boards to the following dimensions and sand it all well.

2 – 2×12 at 5 ft. long

4 – 2×12 at 11 3/4″ long

6 – 1×12 at 17 1/4″ long

6 – 1×12 at 9 1/4″ long

3 – 2′ x 4′ project panel pieces cut to 15 1/2″ x 9 1/4″

Step 2

Next, Attach your end pieces by countersinking 2 1/2″ deck screws from the top and bottom of your bench.

Step 3

Attach your cubby dividers using the same method as above, spacing them 18 inches apart.

Step 4

Construct your bins using wood glue and a nail gun. (Or in my case, a cordless stapler since my nail gun wasn’t working. But the stapler worked great! I used the RYOBI AirStrike.)

Step 5

Measure and drill holes for your hardware in the center of the front of each bin. (Tip: Use painter’s tape to mark the distance between holes and then stick that onto your box and drill through it.)

Step 6

Use wood filler to patch over the screws and nail holes. Sand smooth when dry. I usually patch over wood knots too to prevent future bleed-through.

Step 7

I primed and painted the bench and bins with BEHR Marquee paint in “In the Moment.” I painted the front of each bin “Soft Focus.” Allow to dry.

Step 8

Mark off your Aztec pattern. Here’s a rundown of how I did it.

First, apply a strip of painter’s tape horizontally across the middle of the front of each bin. Apply a strip of tape directly above that (I left a tiny sliver of space between them) and mark the following distance from the edge of the bin onto the piece of tape: 3 inches on the bottom edge of the strip of tape and 2 1/2 inches on the top edge of the strip of tape.

Use scissors to diagonally cut from one dot (marked at 3″) to the other (2 1/2″). Do the same on the other end of the same piece of tape. Repeat this process with the following measurements. 4 1/2″ & 4″; 6 1/2″ & 6″. Reverse the pattern for the bottom strips of tape.

At the top and bottom, I just cut small triangles and placed one upside down below the other.

Step 9

I painted over the tape with “In the Moment.” Be sure to smooth the edges of the tape first to prevent bleed-through. When your paint has dried, remove the tape. (Optional: Apply a Polycrylic topcoat to the whole bench for added protection.)

Step 10

Attach your furniture legs and bin pulls and insert the bins into the cubbies. (The bins will come in handy for corralling shoes and hats.)

That’s it! This was an easy build and I was able to finish it in a weekend. This would be a great beginner woodworking project as it only requires a few basic tools and is easy to construct.

Also, congrats to Kelly D. for winning the Home Depot gift card giveaway!

You Might Also Like:

• How to Paint Furniture: A Beginners Guide
• DIY Storage Bench with Aztec Patterned Design 2.0
• DIY IKEA TARVA Hack
• Project Gallery

You can also connect with me here:

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin