Trash to Treasure – Farmhouse Bench Transformation

An item thrown to the curb, here is an amazing farmhouse bench transformation.

A 1980’s reupholstered floral bench that was wobbling and tossed to the curb.

In a world where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, I’d argue that the first man wasn’t thinking creatively enough about his trash. – Justin Slater

Are you all sitting down?  Cause this bench transformation will blow….. your…. mind!

Recently, an Instagram friend, Alicia at Un.De.Once shared this trash to treasure project that is ah-mazing!

One day her son showed up one day and said, “Mom, I found this bench on the side of the road and I thought you could make it pretty”… he knows how much she loves to transform items from not so great, to a favorite great piece.

BENCH TRANSFORMATION SUPPLIES

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• Bench
• Staple gun
• Leg Brackets
• New legs
• Corner brackets
• Clear wax
• Fabric
• Dark Wax
• Chalk paint
• Paintbrush
• Painters tape
• Sandpaper
• Sewing machine
• Bleach
• Tape measure
• Canvas drop cloth
• Sponge (dot one)

FARMHOUSE BENCH INSTRUCTIONS

1. The first thing she did was remove the fabric and the legs.   The cushion needed to be reupholstered so the fabric was removed but the cushion was reused……. not as two separate cushions as above but as one.
2. An inexpensive fabric was used to cover the bench cushion.  She was going to create a slipcover for it so the fabric here wasn’t as important… (purchase what’s on sale).   
3. She used a staple gun all around the bench bottom edge, as you see here, to secure the fabric at the same time pulling to make the cushion feel tight.
4. The corner brackets were added so it would be easier to add new legs.  (You can find these online as we linked or at your local hardware store.)
5. The legs were sanded a bit for a rustic feel and painted with Annie Sloan, Old White, and then waxed. Distress as much or little as your preference.
6. After they have completely dried, they were attached then added to the bench (screw them in).

CANVAS DROP CLOTH FOR BENCH

1. The next step was creating the slipcover using a canvas drop cloth (again online or your local home supply store).
2. The dropcloth was soaked in bleached water for a few days to soften the fabric.  It was then washed a couple of times to remove the bleach and the smell.  The fabric becomes more pliable for sewing if you do this.

3. Measure the bench to complete the slipcover.  She created the piping first and used the already finished edges of the slipcover as the skirt, this way you avoid unnecessary sewing.

4. A strip was added at the center of the slipcover to make it look like grain sack fabric.  (We did a fabric piece like that here for a runner.)
5. The fabric was taped and paint carefully sponged onto the fabric so it wouldn’t run…(place a piece of plastic in between the bench and the slipcover so the paint won’t go through)

And she loves the result…it added just the perfect charm to it.

Moral of the Story

Never pass a bad piece of furniture because of its current state. Look and see what it can become.

To see more of Alicia’s beautiful home and projects, be sure to follow her on Instagram HERE.

MORE TRASH TO TREASURES

Here is a few more farmhouse trash to treasure projects we think you will enjoy:

• Trash to Treasure Thrift Store Transformations
• 20 Budget-Friendly Farmhouse Projects
• Upcycled Chip Paintbrush Wreath

Thanks for stopping by today.  Our goal is to help make the most with whatever you have by sharing budget-friendly, time-saving, and reusing/DIY ideas for all parts of your home and life.  If you enjoyed this farmhouse bench transformation, we would appreciate a share on any social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us as we share even more ideas on each account.