I'm working on a DIY project to build a window seat that features a long, deep base cabinet, about 12 feet wide, with shallower bookshelves on top. I want the top of the base cabinet to look seamless, ideally using plywood with a built-up edge that can be stained or finished nicely. However, I'm also considering painting if it helps hide seams. I'm curious how to effectively minimize seams while using standard 4x8 plywood sheets, especially since I can't fit a solid 12' piece into my room. What's a budget-friendly way to disguise joints, and how would a Formica countertop hold up in this setup?
1 Answer
Using a cushion on the window seat is a great way to hide any seams you might have. You can also cut the plywood to a smaller depth and then attach a 1x4 along the front to make it look cleaner. For example, if your bench needs to be 24" deep, you could cut the plywood to 20" and cover the edge with a long solid board. If you're painting, just join two pieces of plywood using some bondo or wood putty to smooth out that joint after sanding. It works well!
Great idea! I was already thinking about solid wood for the front edge but hadn’t considered wrapping it around.