Why would such a simple upholstered coffee table bench take over a year to complete? I'll tell you. I bought this u fix it topless coffee table in March 2016! It was a steal at Vendors’ Village for only $3.99. Of course I had no idea what I was going to do with the topless coffee table, but I knew it was worth four bucks!
Unwanted broken coffee table
I’m guessing the coffee table must have had glass inserts at one time. After I got it home I thought maybe I could use some reclaimed wood to replace the inserts that were missing.
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Make any necessary repairs
The date on this image is from May 2016. I used Gorilla Wood Glue and a Rockler silicone glue brush to aid in getting the glue into the tight spaces. As usual, I clamped the table using scrap wood to prevent the clamp from making an indentation.
Easy painting with a paint sprayer
After all the repairs I painted the coffee table with my Homeright Finish Max.
Finding the right option for the table top
I attempted to use stained pallet boards as the inserts. It worked pretty well in these two spaces, but not so much in the last space. I scrapped the idea and the table sat waiting in the garage for over a year.
Fast forward to June 2017. I dug out the table, and found a piece of cheap plywood that I buy in small sheets to use as a top. You can see I paid $3.88 for the plywood. This will aid in it becoming the perfect coffee table bench.
Because my table saw was not easily accessible, I used my large compound miter saw to trim the board to size. NOTE: I clamped the board down tight so that it wouldn’t budge.
Adding plywood as new coffee table top to make a bench
After the simple cut, the top fit perfectly for the vintage coffee table bench.
How to cut foam without an electric knife
I had a memory foam mattress topper in the basement that I wasn’t using. You've probably seen a lot of people use electric knives for this, but I don’t own one.
I ran a serrated knife down the edge of the board to get the proper size foam piece for the upholstered coffee table bench.
Double memory foam for coffee table bench
I used two layers of the mattress topper memory foam and drop cloth to upholster the coffee table bench.
Secure drop cloth upholstery with a staple gun
A staple gun was used to tack down the folded over edge of the drop cloth.
I placed the upholstered top onto the coffee table and checked it out. But it seemed like it needed a little more!
Easy Button Tufting
I used the same easy button tufted cheat method using screws and washers that I used on my Upholstered Corner Headboard Bench. Oh my just thinking about that corner headboard bench makes me want to make another for my craft show in October! I used dritz craft cover button kit to make the buttons match the drop cloth. I love using drop cloth for upholstery. It is so sturdy!
Although I love the way the top looks with the easy button tufting, but I do not like the color of the coffee table with the drop cloth fabric.
Time for Plan b
This was before I got my new favorite chalked smoked glaze. I was using a black paint wash to give it a glaze and I wasn’t loving it.
It was time to bring out the Homeright Finish Max Super . As always I started painting my project upside down.
So much better in black
As you probably know, color definitely makes or breaks a project. I struggle with color a LOT since I’m making projects to sell.
See? Here is the coffee table bench with the black wash on it. Unfortunately, I am not a fan!
This is the other side. Notice I left the wooden pieces on one side. I know—strange, right?
The upholstered coffee table bench is great for the living room . . .
. . . but even better for an end of the bed upholstered bench to help a fur baby get on and off the bed! Miss Lulu Mae likes her regular coffee table bench at the end of the bed.
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It took over a year to complete, but I generally keep working on a project until I’m happy with it no matter how long it takes.
gail
Related Content:
Upholstered Headboard Bench with Ruffled Skirt
Tufted Upholstered Queen Headboard Bench
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Hi, there! Iām Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. Iām obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful againāmyself included! I hope youāll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way⦠literally!
Danielle
Gail, you inspire me! I am a perfectionist and I tend to abandon projects that don't turn out as I imagined. And I also struggle with inspiration... You are much more experienced than I will ever be and I find it encouraging that sometimes you feel the need to rethink your ideas. The table top bench turned out great, just like a piece out of a fancy decorator's shop! My new goal will be to keep at it until I get it right. Thank you!
Gail Wilson
Danielle,
Thank you so much for your comment. I'm sorry it took so long to respond. I've been out of town, sort of off the grid. I try to keep it real for my friends. I want to make sure I explain my thought process so you know that things don't always go as planned.
Keep on keeping on! Never, ever give up my friend!
gail
Lizzy
That's beautiful. The wood details give it a bit of a Louis XVI style. Great find and makeover!
Carol S
Wow, I love your persistence. I hate it when a project doesn't come together as imagined. I have one in my garage now that I have to revisit that has been ignored for too long. Thanks for the inspiration to keep trying! This project turned out great! Love the button tufting tip.
Gail Wilson
Thank you Carol. I rarely give up, but sometimes it takes a while to figure it all out. š
gail
Deanna
Excellent job. I have a heavier coffee table that I wanted to do this to. Great Ideas.
Gail Wilson
Awesome Deanna! I'm glad you like my ideas. I hope your project goes quick and easy.
gail
Eliz~
The bench is beautiful. The buttons are perfect! I have a table a table at the end of my bed! I have too much stuff! LOL!
Terri Hughes
I love what you did with the coffee table, the black paint and tuft buttons, really made a big difference. And Miss Lulu Mae looks like she approves, lol. She is adorable!
Jennie
This is a great way to baby proof a coffee table. I know my daughter has been looking for a solution.
Fonda
Very nice! We have a very old, and very sturdy, coffee table. This might be a great idea for it. It has it's top, so I'm lucky that I don't have to do something about that before painting and making the soft part.
Gail Wilson
Awesome! Do let me know if you make your table into a bench, k?
gail
Paula
Love the tufted top and the black combined with the drop cloth upholstery is a winning look.
Gail Wilson
Thanks Paula, I love the black as well.... happy I didn't quit on it in it's earlier stages. š
gail