What could've ended up as empty wall space turned into a useful mudroom area

“We would love to have a mud room, but just don’t have the space…”

(Not sure if there’s a question in there, but anyway…) Perhaps you can make a small bit of “unused” space into something that will work. As you can see in the photo, there’s a bench built that makes the most of  a small space. The bench is open underneath, and features a shelf as well. Designing a back (with coat pegs!) gives it a nice built-in feeling. The important thing is that it provides a landing area and helps to minimize the trail that youngsters leave as they make their way from outdoors to in and other parts of the house.

Have a design tip that will help others? Send us your tip!

From the Cabinetmaker’s Bench

Craftsman Banquette in Quartersawn Oak!

This section of Wood Shavings invites you to see newly completed cabinetry before it leaves our cabinet shop! Each month we feature a snapshot of an interesting piece and share the details of its design.

The beautiful rays of Quartersawn Oak are shown off in this gorgeous Craftsman banquette

This handsome Craftsman style banquette is one of a pair that will flank a solid wood table to become an inviting breakfast nook. Handcrafted in Quartersawn Oak and built to the principles of Arts & Crafts furniture, this piece makes wonderful use of space with an extra long drawer at one end and hinge top seating at the other.

• Wood: Quartersawn Oak
• Series: Square Inset
• Finish: Burnt Umber

For more photos of this intriguing piece, along with many others, visit the From the Cabinetmaker’s Bench section of our Web site!