We don’t have a mudroom (yet?), and so when the kids come in, their shoes, boots, and jackets make a mess of the floor by the back door and small laundry room. We usually go in and out by the garage door, because it’s easier for me to herd them to and from the car that way.
I’ve been trying to think of a good mudroom-like solution for the area just by the entry door. I have a mini split up above, and a narrow shelving unit below it. A small storage bench, where my kids can put their shoes on and off, and a place to store boots and other regular but not everyday gear, seems like a good idea.
With all that in mind, I hope you can appreciate how and why this Husky storage bench caught my attention.
Previously, I had considered going with two vented Ikea cabinets, and lining its top and sides with wood butcherblock material, similar to a display that used to have at my local store.
But, how well would the particle board construction hold up when used as a bench?
This Husky storage bench looks a little sturdier, and it’s said to have a 400 pound weight capacity. They say it’s a two-seat sitting space, but it looks more spacious than that suggests.
I’m not convinced that my kids will sit on this to put theirs shoes on or take them off, at least not on a daily basis, it seems like a good place for snow boot removal, and things like that. Coupled with some hooks above, and maybe a backing to protect the wall, and it might help in reducing clutter and dirt at the bottleneck that is our rear entryway. Maybe.
The Husky storage bench has 2 sliding doors, and 1 removable shelf.
Sliding doors are a good way to save on space. I toyed with the idea of making something like this from 80/20 aluminum rails (which I admittedly love and probably over-use), but my DIY version called for open shelves on the bottom. I wouldn’t want hinged doors, but sliding doors seem like an acceptable way to provide some covered storage for shoes and what-not. And if wet stuff is put away, which is probably a no-no, it can be left open to dry out.
The unit measures 48″ wide x 20″ tall x 18″ deep.
The removable shelf has a weight capacity of up to 50 lbs, and the bottom shelf panel can support up to 150 lbs. Total weight capacity, including the 400 lbs top weight capacity, is 600 lbs.
There are adjustable feet, which are necessary for my garage floor.
Husky says that the unit can withstand extreme temperatures, high humidity, and everyday wear and tear to last for years.
They also mention that it provides a nice place to rest after working in the garage or a place to shot and take your shoes off in the mudroom.
I’m increasingly liking the idea of this Husky bench. The full-height section can be used for boots, and the other section for shoes.
I had been putting off my DIY project because I’ve been wanting to tie in an upper hook and back component with a bottom bench component, and my mind’s been changing about what I want or need. But a bottom section like this seems nearly perfect, and will give me some time to customize the top.
I find myself wondering if the metal construction is sturdy enough, but similar construction is often sturdy enough for tool boxes and mobile workbenches. I sit on those from time to time, and without any stability issues. So a small unit like this should be plenty sturdy.
Price: $215.20 plus $24.99 delivery (at least for my zip), or free “ship to store.”
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
User reviews on Home Depot’s website seem to be pretty positive.
What do you think – yay or nay for being a shoe and boot catch-all?
The price has me on the fence, but maybe it’ll go on sale as part of a deal of the day or Fall storage sale.
