Two Recycled Chairs Make a Double Chair Bench
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I will show you how to make a double chair bench with repurposed chairs. Or maybe how NOT to make a double chair bench.
Have you ever had a repurposed furniture project fail? I do. I never really have a plan when I jump into a project. Because I always wing it. Most of the time, that works out okay, sometimes not so much. This recycled chair bench would be one of those projects.
Vintage Chairs Without Seats
I picked up these two chairs at Tickled Pink a few months ago.
It didn’t bother me that they were missing their seats.
See more Chair Projects & Benches HERE.
The Design Stage of a Chair Bench
I decided to make a double chair bench out of the chairs. Then, I wished I had a back and realized I could use this sign that hadn’t sold yet.
Dismantling Recycled Chairs For a New Project
I needed to dismantle the front rungs of the chairs. The Dremel Multi-Max ]does a great “flush” cut.
I also had to use a hammer and a small pry bar because the back of the chair had several nails in it.
These would be said nails.
More Trial And Error Designing
This image shows a dry fit of the repurposed chairs. Clamps held everything in place to see if things would work.
For this project, I used some old scrap 1x’s. Some were from a local lumber store that closed about 30 years ago.
At this point, things go wrong. (but I didn’t know it at the time)
I made a box for the top boards to rest upon.
Time to Paint
You can see that I used my Kreg Jig® K4 to make pocket holes to assemble the box. I painted the repurposed chair bench and the slats separately.
I did so because I wanted to be able to get in between the slatted boards.
After all that, I put the headboard (sign) back on and realized it was about this much too short.
Is It a Project Failure?
Major project fail! What I don’t like about this piece is
- It’s too long
- I have to figure out a new back IF I decide to move forward
- I wouldn’t say I like it black
Maybe I’ll paint the repurposed chair bench another color; I may or may not put a back on it. It may end up in a burn pile somewhere! (I don’t have one) I could put it at the curb to see if anyone wants to pick it up.
Want to hear something funny? This recycled chair bench is not my first double bench project fail. I made another one several years ago. Aren’t we supposed to learn from our mistakes?
We Should Learn From Our DIY Mistakes
This is the original project fail-double chair bench.
You can probably tell I’ve never had a bench for the end of the bed. The good news is this repurposed chair bench did sell at one of my yard sales. Oh, how I wish I had learned from my mistake.
So, please leave a comment below and tell me I am not the only one with project failures! What was your biggest or your last project failure?
gail
UPDATE: I changed up this bench for the better. I hope you love it as much as I do.
So, I purchased 3 new boards to create the back for the repurposed chairs.
I clamped the boards onto the bench and drew a line, then used my jigsaw to curve the boards to match the curve of the original chairs.
Painting And a Dark Wash
Using a light turquoise, I sprayed the double chair bench with my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer.
Then I gave the chair bench a black “wash’ with some watered-down black paint.
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I’m glad I didn’t give up on this project’s failure with repurposed chairs! I think this is a very versatile piece and can be used in many different ways.
If you love this project but maybe you think it’s a little too difficult, here’s the easiest chair bench ever:
See how to make the easiest bench made from chairs.
Gail-you are being WAY to tough on yourself!! It is pretty cool–I would paint it gray-distress it a bit and put it on a porch with some pillows or in the yard with some flower pots on either side…and yes–i am excited for you to get back in your shop…LOVE your projects!!
chris
I know you see this as a fail, but I don’t. It may not be what you want but that doesn’t mean fail, at least not in my book. I think because you wanted to use that sign as the back is maybe why it’s a fail. And I certainly don’t think it’s too long. Why don’t you make a different back and paint the whole thing a different color. More of a Gail color! Black benches are my thing! HA! Fail would be if you made it and can’t sit on it…then maybe you could call it a fail.
Holly
Sniff.Sniff. I loved those chairs before you dismantled them. I’m more of a chair, than bench person since we never have enough chairs around here.
I always marvel at how inventive and confident you are with wood.
I think you’re being too hard on yourself I love this bench. Maybe add a cross bar a little higher to attach the back too.
If this is a fail I don’t think I’ll ever post my projects as your fail looks better than a lot of my non-fails…lol!
You are my inspiration to try re-purposing, keep up the wonderful work!
Oh, don’t you hate that?? You see it in your head & it is perfect… then the finish?? not so much… Happens to me all the time.
I think you can save it though… I like it so far.. set it aside for a while & then come back to it.. you may be inspired to finish it differently : )
I think it looks fine. I can totally see that bench sitting in my garden.
I wasn’t sure how that would turn out from the first pictures. But wow. You give me so many ideas.
I need to go find two chairs for my headboard still sitting here waiting for the right stuff to come along.
Sharon
Yeah, I think the sign is a little too narrow/short to be with arms that tall.
I have project fails all the time! I’m in the middle of one right now: I tried to paint the inside of a vase, and there are some definite naked spots. Whoops! It’s hard to get the brush in there at the correct angle.
What ?!?! I LOVE this bench! I love the color, the back and every thing about it. I wish my fails were as awesome as yours.
I say it looks not too bad, I would put it on sale,I reckon,there is always someone who will love what we don’t. In a bedroom piled up with cushions maybe.
I don’t do huge projects,but do have things not work out with my sewing projects. I always say to myself, it’s never a mistake, it’s an opportunity to be creative. So many mistakes have turned into something special.
There isn’t anything wrong with the bench. Anyone that didn’t know your plan would not even notice what you “think” is wrong with it. I think it is beautiful just the way it is! 🙂
i think it’s really cool. the only suggestion i would have to help you with the things YOU don’t like about it is: maybe dry brush some vertical stripes on the seat part to fool the eye. instead of the eye following the horizonatal slats, it will break up the length and make it appear shorter. just a suggestion…..but i would buy it. i think she’s a beauty.
I always have fails, most times not a real fail, just me being too hard on myself!
This would be a great bench if the back had been the right size!
How about making a smaller bench, find / make a different back, the chair backs look wonderful as the arms of the bench.