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.
Geez, I wish I could fail that good! I adore all your projects, wishing mightily that I had the guts to do them myself. Fail? You? Not! Only YOU can turn it into a Happy Accident! Think, backwards, upside down and inside out- you’ll get it!
i barely notice the non-reach….. could you just throw some wood putty in there? and frankly, i am glad to see you are normal, just like me. (ok scratch that i am not normal- glad to see we all make mistakes!)
This doesn’t look too bad for a fail! It’s got potential even if it didn’t turn out like you wanted. I see it being used as a plant table on a porch. Or it still would make an excellent bench on a porch or patio. Just set it against the wall and there’s your back. Even though it is low some one could use it as a potting bench. Just sit down and pot your flowers to your hearts content. OR Add a top to the chairs and make it a slightly higher potting bench. Ok I’ll stop there. Hey if I lived close by I definitely would buy it from you.
You didn’t ask, but here’s what I think. What if you cut the backs of the chair down to that first slat, and put a board across the back at the same height? Then paint it a color you like. It would have a lower profile, but that’s not a bad thing. Honestly, I don’t think it looks too long, and I like the black. I think this could totally be salvaged.
DId I ever tell you about the time I was going to make my own wire birdcage? It turned out like some weird instrument of torture. That never saw the light of day on my blog!
Honestly, I like it. Its not a fail to everyone. If you dont want to keep it or work on it anymore I suggest listing it on Craigslist for at least $100 with pictures. I bet you will get tons of interest!
I dont really think its a fail Gail.. (haha poet and didnt know it).. is there a way to cut/shorten the chair part of it and make it a lower back bench..does that make sense?
Gail,
You could move this minor setback into the “win” column by cutting partial small semi-circles from the top left and right edges of the sign, thus making the defect into a feature. It would give the back/sign a neat scrolled appearance.
Cheers,
Scott Phillips
http://www.FindersKeepersAntiques.us
I don’t think this bench is a fail–I think an easy fix would be to remove the sides and cut bottom of the legs off a few inches and reattach–for me I think they are too high for the “arms” of the bench. I like the black and the sentiment a lot. Just a thought…
I agree not really a “fail”! You’re being too hard on yourself! I think most people usually are though.
I found an old ladder a couple of months ago. It was covered in paint, so I sanded and sanded and sanded, took it apart, and stained it a very dark brown. I had intended on hanging it horizontal on the wall and using it as a makeshift shelf. However, it is not flush with the wall, so my other half said it couldn’t stay. He says it will damage our walls. So it’s new home is propped against a wall to hang our living room blankets on.
What if you just scoot the sign down so there is no gap in the back? Seems to me the curve of the chair backs would mean they are closer together nearer the seat. I love it, black and all, and would have it in my house!
Love the bench with the sign! (glad you could sell the other one! lol)
You rock Gail!!
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