Building an Outdoor Seat and Storage Box

Outdoor seating and storage are often at a premium — this little bench is practical, easy to move and provides storage. This project is made from dimension lumber that you can find at any lumberyard or home center. I chose cedar, but if you are going to paint the project, pine would work as well. The star of this chest is the amazing lid stay from Sugatsune. What makes the Sugatsune Aileron Lift-Assist Soft-Close Hinge Set and Lid Stay stay system so cool is that it integrates with typical 35 mm hinges. And the stay mounts over a hinge plate designed to accept it.