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.
Thank you so much for this very nice bench.
The final project is, on my point of view, much better than the initial one.
The proof that a mistake can be a positive point !
We already bought some old chairs, and we are going to try to make one.
We will send you a picture of it as soon as it’s finished.
How fun! I would love to see pictures when you’re done. 🙂
gail
I love love love all of your benches and the many permutations shown. They are not fails but “Adventures in bench upcycle diversity” ! I’d be glad to have any of them in and around my home. You are phenomenal!
Thank you so much! 🙂
I do love making benches.
gail
Good job Gail! I love your sense of humor and determination. The finished bench is inspirational.
Gail, I love where you ended up! The double chair looks so graceful, and I am confident you will find many uses for it. Congrats on a job well done.
I’m glad you didn’t give up!! I love the look of the final bench. I must run now and rummage for some chairs. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
I loved them all but I really think the first one with the sign across the back is my favorite.
I love this bench!!!! as I do all your projects!
I love this chair. Thanks for posting your error so we can learn from YOUR mistakes 🙂 This is what I was looking for and did not realize it yet. I have a 40’s dining/kitchen and this would make a great bench for that period size table, so I do not have to worry about a corner nook this will do it. I want red.
I have two chairs for the opposite side, now I have to start a search all over for the bench part. This is going to be fun.
I love my Kreg jigs (I have three) it makes furniture making so easy. It’s simply perfect, you do fine work, mistakes and all.
Thank you for this..
Thank you very much Rosemarie for taking the time to leave a comment on this post. I really appreciate it. I’m happy you are inspired by this post to solve your diy problem 🙂
I too love the Kreg jigs, I have 3 also. hahahah
have fun, I’d love for you to share your finished project with me.
Happy New Year!
gail
It turned out great in the end!! I wouldn’t feel down, i’ve had a few project fails…. my finest was a two drawer end table that I had I picked up with a french provincial lingerie chest for 15$!!! I didn’t want the end table, but figured i could do something with it… Pinterest always makes everything look so glamorous.. My big plan was to take out the top drawer, take off the top and put a back on to make it into a cute little reading seat for my two year old… I tried to get fancy with the back… i traced the design along the bottom of the endtable…. but when it was flipped the other way on the back it just looked like boobies:P i STILL tried to save it by getting out my dremel and etching the boobies into a heart shape… it all turned up looking so wrong lol… junk pile for that one.
thanks for sharing your story with me. I have had a few that went to the junk pile too. 🙂
I love your benches made from such apparently hopeless pieces, this one looks great in your final design. I will never look at a couple of seatless old chairs in the same way, thank you !
Thank you ! I’m glad you have been inspired to look at thing differently.
gail
Planning to attempt my first bench, but I know the headboard I have is not solid wood. In the weather the layer are going to curl. Has any of yours been out of similar material? Will putting a sealer help or just delay the inevitable?
You are WAY too hard on yourself! I like the bench, like the back with the saying, like the colour. If the back is too short, there must be a way to lengthen it.