Simple DIY shower bench

[Stuardo]

Renovating my ensuite bathroom I wanted to include a timber bench and began researching what was available and how I could make one myself. While staring at the timber bath mat (Duck Board) on my bathroom floor I realised all the pieces I needed were there waiting to be cut up and reassembled into what I wanted. The timber mat measured 80cm x 50cm and there was enough to make a bench 55cm long x 24cm wide x 31 cm high. I purchased a new timber mat from Bunnings to make the bench which took less than two days to make.

Materials

Timber bath mat 80 x 50 cm

Stainless steel screws

Epoxy glue

Timber bench top oil

Anti-skid rubber floor pads

Tools

Hand saw

Tape measure

Screwdriver

Drill

Sandpaper

Steps

Step 1

Measure and count the timber pieces available in the mat and determine the most appropriate cuts you will need.

I cut the top at 55 cm long by 5 pieces wide and kept it screwed together.

This left me with 5 pieces at 25 cm long, and 5 pieces at full length of 80 cm long. I unscrewed all these pieces and worked out what I needed for the legs and support.

Step 2

Cut 2 pieces at 54 cm long for under the front and back of the bench then glue and screw through from the top.

Cut 4 pieces at 29 cm long and glue and screw them to 4 of the 25 cm pieces to make the four legs. This will leave a 3 cm space to fit, glue and screw under the top.

The remaining pieces will be enough to create the supporting frame screwed in half way down the legs.

Step 3

Chamfer any sharp edges and sand all pieces then assemble.

I used several coats of timber top bench oil to seal the timber or you could varnish or wax to finish. 

Lastly fit anti-skid rubber floor pads to the bottom of the legs.

What design can you come up with using a single timber bath mat? 

Have fun,

Stuart

[EricL]

Hi @Stuardo 

What a beautifully built shower bench. Using the duck board was really clever! I may have to borrow your idea and see if the relevant parties in my house wish to have a new stylish shower bench.

Eric

[Stuardo]

Thanks @EricL 

I would love to see what you and others come up with. And that timber duck board when sanded back a little has some beautiful grain.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Stuardo 

Thats a beautiful bench seat and loved how you modified the mat Also like how you oiled the timber. I think it adds to the natural feel of it.

Dave

[Nailbag]

What a great project and awesome practical design @Stuardo . I'm sure you will influence a lot of others to creat the same.

Regards, Nailbag

[TedBear]

Hi @Stuardo , I just came across this project and loved it. That was an absolutely brilliant idea to repurpose the timber mat. Choosing a suitable material for a new project, is often a delaying point in getting started, so it makes heaps of sense to use a timber already proven to work for a wet area, as you have done.  And it looks great. Hats off to you!

[Stuardo]

Thank you @TedBear ,

It's amazing how you can look at something every day, like the mat, and then the idea hits that it has a similar structure to the benches I was looking to buy on-line. And a heck of a lot cheaper to make one myself.

Cheers