Old Chairs into New Bench
See, fun!
I picked these up last year in a junk pile for our city’s spring clean up. Obviously one spindle was missing, and the seats were…well UGLY, and gross.
I have made a promise (to my husband) to clean off the back patio, which is filled with free furniture I have collected. I sold a bunch for dirt cheap and saw these poor little chairs and decided it was time to make them awesome.
I looked under and saw that the seats were stapled on, so I pried them off with a crow bar. The nails were sticking up everywhere so I hammered off the triangles, since they wouldn’t be necessary with what I had planned.
After some thinking, I decided that since I couldn’t replace the missing spindle, I would cut them all out and do something else. I used my Roybi Sawzall and they were off in seconds, love this tool. Then I gathered some scrap boards to make a bench!
Using a 2×3 I drilled pocket holes and clamped it between the two chairs, the pocket holes are in the back.
These chairs have seen a lot of weather and when I drilled the pocket hole on the right the wood started splitting. I put some glue in it and clamped it to dry. Then I added the back board.
The top board was also added with pocket holes. I originally was going to use a piece from an old crib, but I accidentally cut it too short (figures), so I traced the pattern on a scrap 1×4 and used it.
I then cut slats for the back of the chairs/bench and drilled pocket holes. This wood was a left over shelf support board from my Master Closet Makeover. It was getting so hot, that I decided to bring it inside. I glued and screwed them in place, trying to keep the boards level and even. One chair was a little askew so it is not perfect, but hey that is ok! I have long since learned that perfection in projects is almost NEVER, and I am just fine with that.
I filled all the cracks and holes with spackle, and brought it outside to find boards for a seat. A few months back I scored some reclaimed wood from a 1940’s garden/nursery in Boulder, I took as much as I could! I used a couple of 1×6’s from that stash and a 1×3 I had in the garage. Then I cut them to size.
I had a spindle left from the crib I mentioned, I thought it would look cute in the front and help bring the piece together. You might recognize this spindle… I used some on my Repurposed Hook shelf into Book Shelf which happened to be my first contributor posts here. Using my Roybi air strike nailer I nailed it in from the sides of the legs, right where the arrows are pointing.
The boards got some stain and poly. I guess I am still stuck on the dark wood…I did almost use the weathered gray that I used on my Old Deck Wood Laundry Crate, I did a sample of each on the back of the boards, but I liked the dark better. You can see the smaller board stained totally different because it is a different kind of wood. I knew that would happen I like the contrast.
I will be linking to these parties.
Wow! Mindi, this is gorgeous! Lady, like minds…like minds. Can you guess what I (we) are building? 😉 I love the color you chose and the planks you stained for the seat. Your patio is going to look fabulous! Your kids look too cute sitting on the bench and perhaps you have a future blog photographer in the works. 😉 Ya know, how about some hot apple cider for the fall, while you sit back and relax? 🙂
Great work! *hugs*
It is beautiful Mindi! What can't you make friend!?!?! Seriously!!!!! I am blown away by your skills in every one of your posts! And your oldest is going to be a freshman!!!! My goodness that is crazy!!! I know it will sneak up on me too! Loved that shot of your sweeties sitting on it…and no I don't think life will ever slow down! Wishing you an outstanding week friend! Nicole xoxo
Absolutely beautiful!
This is amazing! I've seen people just put two chairs together and make a bench that way, but I love that you added a little something extra in the middle. It looks so great, and I love that color! Great job. 🙂 I'm visiting from over at The Makers! 🙂
How creative..I love it!! Love the colors too 🙂
Thanks for sharing
PInning it!
I love this. I am thinking of making a bench out of a couple of ladder back chairs for my dining room. Now you have inspired me. Mindi it is so nice you came by my blog now I have found you. I am a new follower. Have a great day.
Kris
OMG I love it, and I think you will crack up like I did when you see my post on my dining table. I guess all Mindi's love teal! http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2014/08/furniture-diy-my-bold-teal-dining-set.html
Oh my heavens, what a carpenter you are………..love your bench and that it only cost you $6.00 for paint, that is amazing. It really is darling……..
Bet it will look awesome on your deck.
Blessings, Nellie
You rock, girl! I love all of your projects. What a stunning bench and price!
My daughter will be a senior! :/ it's like why time is running so fast?!
Love the pic of your kids sitting on the bench and of course the photographer too 😉
So cute and creative! Love the blue and the kids all in a row with smiles:) Pinned
Absolutely love this! Try upcycle right here. I love that the chairs were reclaimed, the wood and spindles were reclaimed, and that you made such an awesome piece! Great job. Thank you for sharing with The Caffeinated Crafters Link Party this week!
Love this! Pinning for sure! I thought you found a cool, wide chair for the center. Nope, you just made it yourself.
Oh my gosh the kids are adorable! Of course your bench is amazing. Might have to take my two pottery barn chairs and change them up to a bench one day. Thanks for sharing at the party. Tweeted and Pinning. Can you believe it's almost time for bts? Yikes! Where did summer go? (hugs) Theresa @DearCreatives
Wow! Now that is trash to treasure. Love the color of the bench. So bright and fun.
Fabulous results! Fun to share your easy going attitude while you create. 🙂
Yowlser!!! I'm loving this bench. You did great job and I enjoyed the step by step instructions, I believe I gotta try…Saw at MondayFunday
Amazing! Thank you for sharing this post at City of Creative Dream's City of Links last Friday! I appreciate you taking the time to party with me. Hope to see you again this week 🙂
U don't think the life will be slowing down, i agree. We are always busy, but I like that.
Great idea Mindi,
Nice bench. I love this !
What a fantastic and useful transformation for the chairs! Glad that these chairs ended up with you – otherwise, they'd be a goner for sure.
Mindy, I admire your vision. You found the beauty in those sad chairs and you kept at it until they turned out gorgeous. Excellent job!
Great project Mindi! i just love this idea
Mia @ Hoops Report
This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing a very detailed tutorial how we can do it ourselves! I hope to do the same with our bedroom as similar looking design, too.
Hey Mindi, great work. this gonna help me lot because I have two old chair
Mindi, how much time it takes?
Girl, You Rock! Excellent Post. Thanks for Sharing excellent project with us.
Mindi you are really awesome
Few days ago i was trying to make Wood Bench but its was not good finishing now i have got some great idea about making some Wood Bench for my yard from your post buddy thanks for your post i am going to make it real ha ha ha
I advise everyone to use wood varnishing after the paint is applied.
Mindi.. This post is so refreshing.. Thanks for sharing
I had a spindle left from the crib I mentioned, I thought it would look cute in the front and help bring the piece together
I love your post you have shared here on your site. I would like to share it with my friends on all my social media accounts. Thanks for writing such an informative content.
Nice idea, I like so much your blog. Thank you for sharing this.now it seems like I can do it myself. Keep sharing good things! I'm going to follow you.Thank You.
Thanks for your cool guide. This is very helpful to me.
This is beautiful I want to do this but put my mom's glass pannel door in the middle for pictures also with a seat in front of the window.this makes me want to get started