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    Home » Easy » Upholstered Bench made from a Coffee Table

    Upholstered Bench made from a Coffee Table

    Published by Gail | Published July 12, 2017 | Updated June 30, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    For this month’s Thrift Store Décor project, I’m redoing a coffee table bench that I originally did years ago. It’s time for an update to this upholstered bench!

    topless coffee table

    I bought this $4 topless table in July 2010!

    Upholstered bench made from a coffee table

    coffee table end of bed bench

    I showed how to make an end of bed bench out of a thrift store coffee table in my post Coffee Table Into Bench. My little guy Louie used this bench for years to help him get on and off the bed. I recently painted my bedroom because I took up the carpet and  got some new rugs at IKEA. Isn’t that how it goes, you do one thing, then another—a domino effect sort of thing.

     

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

    Mix homemade primer with Plaster of Paris

    diy chalky paint primer oops paint

    So, with the new rugs, I felt it was time to finally paint the base of the end of bed bench. I mixed up some diy chalky paint primer and did a few quick coats with a cheap chip brush.

     

    Light coats of paint work best

    first coat chalky paint

    Sometimes I feel like I just want to paint, and then I wonder “why” am I doing this? I should be using my Finish Max Extra. On this particular day, I didn’t want to deal with the little Lulu Mae. I have to take her next door and stake her out on her dumb bell in order to keep her away from the painting area.

    Paint sprayer gives flawless paint job

    finish max extra paints coffee table bench

    After a couple of days, I had another project that needed painting, so I drug out the drop cloth. Did you know that after years and years of paint build-up a drop cloth weighs a ton? I seriously need to swap out this drop cloth for a new one—it’s such a hassle to deal with.

     

    white coffee table end of bed bench

    Look at that beautiful finish I got with the Homeright Finish Max Extra! I did two light coats and called it a day.

     

    Upholster coffee table top

    remove old buttons end of bed bench

    While the paint was drying I worked on the upholstered seat. I was just going to replace the buttons, but upon closer examination I saw that the drop cloth fabric had seen better days. I ironed a piece of drop cloth that had been washed and cut it to size.

     

    upholstered end of bed bench made from coffee table

    After removing the original burgandy buttons, I used a staple gun to tack the drop cloth fabric in place. That handy Stanley toolbox holds all my staples and staple guns.

    Easy button tufting upholstery with screws

    use screws for button tufting

    I had some drop cloth buttons made up, and I didn’t want to use a needle and thread, I opted for the screw in method you can see in my post Button Tufting 101.

     

     

    coffee table bed bench

    I snapped a quick picture of the new bench with the buttons laying in place. The buttons were hot glued in place.

    Upholstered bench for end of bed

    end of bed repurposed coffee table bench MyRepurposedLife.com

    My little Lulu Mae is growing up so fast, but she’ll never be big enough to jump on and off the bed without assistance. She’s shaggy—it’s time for a haircut in just a few days.

    PIN IT!

     

    white end of bed bench made from coffee table MyRepurposedLife.com

    I wish I had painted it years ago. I love how it looks in the bedroom now.

    See over 100 Awesome Thrift Store Projects Here

    It’s time for you to hop over and see what my friends have done with their thrift store finds . . .

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    1. Jody

      August 12, 2020 at 8:43 pm

      I am fairly new to your posts and enjoying your many fun projects. I like your simplified way to button tuft! I really love your little Lulu Mae. She is darling! May I ask what breed of dog she is? I lost my precious dog last year, miss her terribly and am thinking of getting another.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        August 13, 2020 at 2:13 pm

        Jody,

        So happy to have you hanging out here and checking out my projects!
        Lulu is now 4 years old and the love of my life. She goes camping with me and brings me so much joy. She is a schnoodle. Her mom is a miniature schnauzer and her dad is a miniature poodle.

        I was just asking her today where she gets those killer eyelashes from, her momma Abby, or her daddy Chili.

        Between me and my friends we have 7 dogs, and I just can't say enough wonderful things about them. It took me 3 years to get a pup after I lost my sweet Louie, so I understand your loss. You'll know when the time is right--just remember a puppy is a lot like having a baby!

        gail

    2. LIZA M ANDERSON

      December 13, 2017 at 12:13 pm

      LOVE this idea! I was just looking for an end of bed bench. I was wondering, would any reinforcing need to be done?
      Coffee tables aren't usually sat on. Can't wait to go thrifting!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 13, 2017 at 12:37 pm

        I usually deal with "topless" coffee tables. But if you find one with a top, I'd say no reinforcing needs to be done. Just sit on it prior to covering it to get a feel for how sturdy it is. 🙂

        good luck! Have fun!
        gail

    3. Offrs

      August 01, 2017 at 9:13 pm

      A stunning piece! You rocked it! I think it is a winner.

      Reply
    4. MARTHAIA

      July 20, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      Nice job....Lula Mae is so precious & beautiful....

      Reply
    5. Bonnie Hipps

      July 18, 2017 at 4:51 am

      What a beautiful redo and you have a cutie sitting on it. Hope you are doing well and staying busy...

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        July 18, 2017 at 11:10 pm

        Thank you Bonnie for your nice comment. That Lulu Mae is definitely spoiled. I am doing well, and not too busy. It's just too hot here for working outdoors.

        gail

    6. Kathy Owen

      July 17, 2017 at 4:01 pm

      ah. that photo with Lulu Mae is so cute. Great job on the bench. My first thought would have been to make a new table top. I like your idea better 🙂

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        July 18, 2017 at 11:11 pm

        Thanks Kathy! I love that girl so much. She's so much company for me. I miss her terribly when I travel, but she stays with her brother Charlie and barely misses me. 🙂

        gail

    7. Sandi Allen

      July 12, 2017 at 11:23 pm

      Love how the bench turned out!
      What a sweet Pup you have, how adorable!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        July 13, 2017 at 8:40 am

        Thanks Sandi! She gets a much needed haircut today! I'll try to update the post with new pics. 🙂

        gail

    8. kristin salazar

      July 12, 2017 at 6:00 pm

      It turned out great, what a beautiful piece you have now!

      Reply
    9. Dee

      July 12, 2017 at 4:10 pm

      I love this new "old" bench. LuLu looks fantastic, I hope she is doing well.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        July 12, 2017 at 6:14 pm

        Dee,

        Thanks so much! Lulu is doing so much better. I appreciate you mentioning it. 🙂 She gets a haircut tomorrow. She's getting a little shaggy.

        gail

    10. Maryann

      July 12, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      Such a beautiful update!

      Reply
    11. GirlfromWva

      July 12, 2017 at 9:34 am

      Love your update on the bench! The puppy has grown so much.

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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