DIY Upholstered Bench
Hey Guys! I am so excited to share one of my projects from my sister’s closet/laundry room makeover, a DIY Upholstered Bench.
If you are wondering what I am talking about…I mentioned helping my sister over spring break in my Repurposed curtain to bench top post last week. I will give more details when I post the room… hopefully next week!
Since we were on a tight budget we made some magic with free things from the free section of the KSL classifieds (Utah doesn’t use craig’s list very much, but KSL is full of goodies, and yes, my sister lives in Utah, just in case you are confused).
It started out with these pallets we got…free.
The highlighted sections and arrows show which pallets I used for the bench. I used pallets for other projects too. The legs were recovered from one huge 4×8 pallet, they were the bottom support pieces. You can see them on the picnic table. I had a lot of fun prying them off and getting all those nails out, I know you are jealous! The rest of the bench (besides the seat) was made from the pallet in the grass. It was broken up but I still had 4 good long boards to use. My brother in law pried off the boards and used my awesome Roybi sawzall to cut off the nails while I was working on something else in the room. (I think I could get used to having helpers!)
My sister’s “closet” has a lot of room and since we had the pallets I knew a rustic bench would be perfect. While I was thinking about how to do the build I mentioned that it would be fun to upholster it, but fabric is expensive…and then my sister surprised me with this fun fabric she had bought to make pillows…but never used it! Sa-weet! We were in business…
I started with making the end pieces (not a good picture, oops!) using my right angle clamp to hold my pieces while I drilled in the pocket holes. Am I the only one that builds in the kitchen? Anyway…
I didn’t take pictures but I cut everything and then sanded each piece. Trust me, it is always easier to sand before you build…My cute sister helped sand these pieces, she is totally hired…hint hint, oh wait, she lives 8 hours away…Dang!
She wanted storage on the bottom for baskets, and to use the bench as a place to put shoes on as well. So I made the bench to be about 19 inches high, I am guessing I cut these legs to about 17 or 18 inches to allow for the seat height. Here you can see how they look on the inside and outside. Gotta love that kreg jig and pocket holes!
I attached the long apron pieces to the top with pocket holes. It is easier to do it upside down so that the wood stays flush with the floor. I used gorilla glue before I drilled in each piece.
For the bottom pieces I made sure I put them an inch off the bottom, to leave little feet. These pieces will also support the slats for the shelf.
The middle of the bench needed some support so I grabbed some pallet wood and cut five boards and drilled pocket holes. I attached three in the top…
And two for the bottom shelf. At this point I grabbed the scrap floor underlayment piece that was left (in the very room we were making over) when my sister moved in a few years back. It was perfect! I just put the bench on it and drew lines where I needed to cut with my circular saw. I did about a 1/2 inch overlap on all sides.
The bench was now ready for some super awesome delicious (can wood be delicious?) slats. I am super in love with this wood! Isn’t it pretty? I cut them all to size and then handed the sanding off to my sister…because I was taking on another last minute build… she also spaced and nailed them on.
Didn’t she do a good job? (my secret desire to get her building just might pay off!)
So padding…we were going for free here, and foam/batting can be pricy! I hopped on KSL and found a free crib mattress, It was in poor condition, but I was ok with that!
We ripped it apart and found…Springs?! I wasn’t expecting that, I know people have used the crib mattress pads for benches and such, but springs? I guess they are not all made the same. It wasn’t a total waste though (the springs were cool in and of themselves, a fun upcycle maybe…) because the padding wrapped around the springs was perfect!
All I had to do was cut the padding to the size of the board, I believe I used three pieces, and then wrapped a bigger piece around the board…
And stapled it on! On the right you can see I have the top corners to do still, bottom ones are done. It is best to save the corners for last, after you have stapled all the sides. Cut away as much batting/fabric as possible on the corners pieces, you don’t want them bunched up or your seat will not sit flush on the base.
Repeat the process with the fabric. Pull nice and tight, but not too tight. If you look close you can see a sneak peek of Old Deck Wood Laundry Crate!
Since this is my second upholstery project, ever, I think I went a little over zealous with the staples, and I also think I went a little too close to the edge, so…I used this awesome duct type Gorilla tape. I secured my fabric edges down so they didn’t stick out when I attach the top to the bench. This tape is STRONG! Plus it made the underside of the bench look pretty, not that anyone will see it!
When I was about to build the bench I told my self to remember to drill holes through the top aprons so I could attach the bench top later. I forgot. But an easy fix made it all better. I cut blocks from the same pallet and had my brother-in-law (a different one, this is another sister and her husband that came to help too. Love them) screw them to the frame. He did this while I upholstered the bench top. Then (not pictured, too excited at this point) I flipped the bench onto the finished top and screwed through the blocks into the top of the bench, securing it nice and tight. I made sure the screws were the right length so that they wouldn’t go all the way through the bench seat wood, don’t want any sharp surprises when you sit down!
All finished!!! This is where it will reside in it’s new home! Yippee!
We thought we would try it out. From left to right Kathy (my sister, I am sure she would like me to note that she is not fat, but prego), me, and Kaelynn (my sister to whom this awesome bench now belongs!) Yeah, it was about….ummm, 2 in the morning at this point and day 6 of non stop working….I think it is safe to say we were happy to be done! I LOVED working with my sisters it makes me wish we all lived closer!
Since I am now home in Colorado I am in search of a perfect pallet so I can make me a cute bench too! I love it!! The rustic wood is perfect with the fabric, and the fabric it perfect with the room (at this point I feel like I am dangling a carrot, muhahha!) don’t worry I will get to it, posting the room that is.
Kaelynn had to do a few finishing touches on her own, because let’s face it, you can’t get everything done in a week with 12 kids (and then 3 more when Kathy came, Kaelynn and I both have six) running around like wild banshees! For some reason they needed to be fed, and taken care of :). Oh, and we went to track and gymnastic meets too…just sayin.
I left the wood as is. It has such character. The only thing better would be to clear coat it, but time wasn’t on our side, and it looks great without it. All natural goodness.
Here you can see the nail holes on the legs and some were cut off, I love the rustic touch it ads.
Not bad for free eh? It amazes me that a piece like this can cost so much in a store…yet this one didn’t cost us a dime! Does it make you want to go and get some free stuff and build your own? You should!!
I can’t wait to share my up-cycled build, stay tuned!
***Update- The Closet/Laundry Room Makeover, new home to this bench, is now posted, check it out Here!
Hugs,
Mindi
I will be linking to these parties.
Amazing!!! I just love love love it. And I love that it was free. p.s. thanks for making sure everyone knows I'm not just fat. 😉
oh wow! I love this bench! Would you believe, I've never built anything out of a pallet? someday…
great job Mindi! I can't wait to see the closet. (and the piece on wheels) hehehe
gail
completely awesome! I never ever would have thought of using a crib mattress for parts. Genius! glad I have a spare one in the basement.
Love it! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams on Fridays 😀 Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party
What a fun, awesome project! And we love KSL (even though we're now in Idaho). 🙂
Love this project! It is beautiful, and I LOVE the fabric. Any chance you or your sister know where it came from?
Thank you so much Ashley! My sister got the fabric at Joann's and it was about 2 1/2 years ago, hope that helps!
Dear, Queen of FREE: You are amazing! Cool free stuff gravitate to you and the fact that you used the padding from the mattress is creative. I love your constant ingenuity! 🙂 That bench is beautiful and I can not wait to see the closet / laundry room makeover. Cool idea on using that white Duct Tape. I have four rolls I need to use in the basement. Nothing exciting to chat about though. lol
Wow!! The bench looks absolutely amazing! Fabulous job!
This bench is gorgeous! You ladies did a fantastic job!
Great job Mindi, I love the bench! The fabric, the rustic look and how big it is! Looking forward to see it in the closet 😉
It looks A-MAZE-ING Mandy. Wow!! I pinned it twice- to my boards and to a group board. This baby deserves some sharing!
Hugs back at you!! First off you guys are so darn cute!!! Now let's just talk about this bench for a minute…..IT IS GORGEOUS!!!!!!! You are gosh do I even have any words for this……Mindi…it is so sensational!!! I love everything about this piece!! The finish, the fact that it was made from pallets…the color of the cushion that goes so beautifully with the floor!!!!! So proud of you and what you created here! It just goes to show how beautiful repurposed things can be!!! Keep up the good work…..you can change the minds of people who think they need to buy new and change the world one bench at a time!!! Bravo Nicole xoxo
This is amazing and I can't believe you made it out of a pallets and a baby mattress! Thanks for sharing at The Makers, pinned 🙂
that is AWESOME!!!! Pinning to the Trash 2 Treasure board! 🙂
Beautific! It doesn't look like pallet wood at all. It reminds me of old wood from a farmhouse. Wonderful job.
Fantastic–just shared on Facebook. Thanks for linking up!
What a great project and look how happy you guys are so cute 🙂 Its amazing what you can make with wood and a bit of imagination!
Gorgeous project! Stopping by from the Creativity Unleashed linky!
What a cute idea! You are so crafty.
I love the pattern of material you used also. This is such a fun spring look.
How did you attach the slats on the bottom? Pocket holes underneath? I don't see any nails or screws in the tops of them. Thanks!
You said "she nailed them on" but I don't see any nails. Please share your secret because it is so clean and looks great. Thanks!
Hi Lisa, they were just nailed with a nail gun from the top. The type of wood makes it hard to see, but they are there. In the close up picture if you look close you can see them, especially on the back, it is hard to see the front ones from that angle. Thanks!
Ooooh, I LOVE THIS PROJECT! And totally genius to use an old crib mattress. I have two old crib mattresses laying around. Guess I need to build a bench!
🙂 Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body
This is AWESOME! I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Super cute project! Love the fabric and the reuse of old materials. Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Oh my goodness! LOVE your pallet bench. I'm going to be featuring it tomorrow at My Inspire Me Monday features. Thanks for linking up to our party!
so, SO cute. …can you make one for me? 🙂
You and your sister did an awesome job Mindi! Such a cute bench!
That is so clever and I ADORE the retro looking fabric. Wow!
That's a great bench and a great design! You gals did an awesome job. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week! ~Deborah
Very cute and creative! Love it! Thanks for sharing. Will pin it!
wowzers! this is awesome! I'm impressed with your skills and prowess with power tools, something I'd love to cultivate. 🙂
I'm hosting a series right now all about yarn projects. I'd love to have you link up anything you've made involving yarn/twine!
Yarn it All! Link Party on Bugaboo Blog
Hi Mindi, this is Mindie May! I love your bench. The fabric is beautiful. You did great work. Us Mindi's have impeccable taste 😉 Please come share at the Anything Goes linky party, if you have not already.
You've been FEATURED at The Makers! Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us and we hope you will stop by to grab a button and link up 🙂 Have a great week!
~Katie @ Upcycled Treasures
Hey Girl! It’s Deonna from the Child at Heart blog. I was just stopping by to say hello! This is SO cute and I love that you did it with a crib mattress. Pinning 🙂 I am doing a great spring necklace giveaway and would love for you to come by and enter to win 🙂 Have a joyful week!
http://www.thechildatheartblog.com/2014/04/spring-statement-necklaces-from.html
Me ha encantado tu banco Mindie, por aqui se pueden encontrar muchos palets y algún dia de estos, cuando termine los montones de proyectos que tengo entre manos, me gustaria poder llevar a cabo un banco como el tuyo, me ha enamorado, felicidades a las 3 por ese lindo trabajo
Besos
So enjoyed seeing your tutorial on the Upholstered Bench, it came out beautiful. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop! I hope you’ll join us again next week!
Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
Awesome bench and tutorial! I love that you ripped the baby mattress apart to use it on this project! My boys would love it if I let them tear our very old mattress apart! 😉
Pinning!
Thanks so much for sharing your creativity on at our Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party! Hope to see more of your projects again on Saturday morning!
~ Ashley
i Mindi! I just wanted to let you know that I J'adore your DIY Upholstered and it's one of this weeks Rockstars at Creativity Unleashed! I have 3 sisters that live hours and hours away, so I know how much fun you had building that with them!
Grab your crew and pop over to vote to be the MEGA Rockstar this week!
http://www.theboldabode.com/2014/04/rockstars-creativity-unleashed-week-15-4-amazing-diy-ideas.html
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome idea at the Friday Frenzy! I am loving the final product.
Congratulations! This post is going to be featured over at Diana Rambles tomorrow and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest, Tweeted, and Recommended on G+. Please grab a featured button off my sidebar or via the link under the features. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea! Yes, again!!
Wow!! This is beautiful. I love any thing free. I just past a place about 15 minutes from where I live…that had a lot of pallets. I was wandering if they were free. I think I will stop and ask…the next time I pass through. Thanks for sharing this.
Your awesome DIY Bench is being featuring this weekend at Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us! Hope you join us again!
~ Ashley
The bench came out beautiful. Great tutorial. I just wanted to let you know that I am linking to this post at Simply Creative Living on 4/22 if you don't mind.
Hi Mindi, I love this bench. I got so inspired that I actually made 2 like this one. I would really like to send you some pictures with the end result. I got so inspired by your design that I have renovated the office kitchen just to match the benches:)
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Can I just say the thing that I love most is that part of this was built in the kitchen on the counters! My hubs fusses at me all the time for doing that! It's beautiful! Great job!
I really like this bench. I wish you had better instructions along with a cut list etc. If you have one somewhere, please advise. Thanks.
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