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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » DIY Coffee Table Bench

    DIY Coffee Table Bench

    Published by Gail | Published August 4, 2010 | Updated July 22, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to use a cheap old coffee table to make a great new coffee table bench for your bedroom. So many tips to do this on the cheap. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #furniture #coffeetable #bench she uses this to help her dog jump on and off the bed #brilliant! via @repurposedlifeHow to use a cheap old coffee table to make a great new coffee table bench for your bedroom. So many tips to do this on the cheap. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #furniture #coffeetable #bench she uses this to help her dog jump on and off the bed #brilliant! via @repurposedlife

    This DIY Coffee Table Bench project is a must for your bedroom!

    I’m sure you recognize this topless coffee table. I got it from Joey’s booth for $3.96.

    Looking for more great table ideas, visit this article 50+ Table Makeovers and Repurposed Table Ideas

    Coffee Table Into Bench

    I put it at the end of the bed for a couple of days to see if it was the right size. Once I decided that it would work perfectly,  I wiped it down with TSP so that I could paint it. After I wiped it down I thought it looked pretty good, but when I actually started to change it into a bench I was having second thoughts about the finish.

    Touch up scratches with Restor-a-Finish

    Restor-a-Finish needed!

    See? It was a little scarred.

    I had a lot of stain on hand, but decided to bring out the RestorAFinish instead. Mahogany wasn’t the perfect match, but it would do. You know I’m all about using what you have.

    Here is what it looked like after I put it on while it was still wet. It's going to be the prettiest diy coffee table bench for my bedroom!

    I let it dry, then wiped it off a little. It is okay with me that it doesn’t look brand new.

    Make a new top for former coffee table

    I had a piece of scrap mdf. I cut it to the proper size and drilled holes in it so I could do some button tufting. The drill bit I used was  probably too small. If I were to do it again I would use a larger bit.

    Using reclaimed foam for new project

    This is where my project got delayed. I had a piece of foam that a friend had given me last year. I thought it was too dirty, so I got the bright idea to hose it down. It was drenched! I hung it on the fence for an entire day while the sun was brightly shining and the temperature was about 95 degrees. It did not dry at all. That night I took it for a spin in the dryer (two cycles).

    The next morning I let ‘er rip for another 90 minute cycle in the dryer. I cut the foam to size I actually needed for the top of the bench, and continued to let it dry in the sun for another whole day. The next day I put it outside in the sun, but this time on the black top driveway. That night I put it in front of a fan in the living room and I left it there for 36 hours. Finally I felt like it was dry enough to continue.

    Upholster DIY coffee table bench project

    I covered the top with the foam and some batting, using a drop cloth for the upholstery fabric. You can see how tiny my holes were for the button tufting.

    How to diy button covers

    I covered the buttons with the sheet fabric that coordinates with the rest of the accessories. If you’ve never done the button kits, they really aren’t that hard. I do think they were a little on the pricey side, (a little under $3.00 a package) but I had already decided that I wanted the buttons to match the other accessories.

    Dritz Button Cover Kit

    This is what they look like. These are not the ones I used, this is a picture from the internet.

    Coffee Table into Bench

    Again, I’m fighting with the lighting. I will show with and without flash.

    Using a Coffee Table as a Bench at the End of the Bed

    So, I have a new DIY coffee table bench at the end of my bed for only the price of the button kit and less than $4.00 for the topless table. I had everything else on hand.

    Edited to add:

    Want to see how I updated the this project for my sweet Lulu Mae?

    gail

    See other fun benches here

    Looking for projects for your pets?

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Anonymous

      October 10, 2011 at 7:27 pm

      I love this. How did you attach the top to the base?

      Reply
    2. Debbie

      March 24, 2011 at 12:59 pm

      I love that! It's very attractive at the foot of the bed and I like the colors. I learned two things today. (well, more really) I didn't even know about the product Restore It, and my husband can't seem to understand the Gorilla Glue rule. He thinks if a little is good, then a bunch must be really good and we've had some little accidents and issues but I digress. If you run for president, I'm voting for you!

      Reply
    3. Diann

      August 14, 2010 at 1:33 am

      Tha turned out absolutely perfect!

      Reply
    4. Rebecca

      August 11, 2010 at 1:34 pm

      What a great project! It looks so professional! I write a column for Examiner.com about crafting on a budget. This month's theme is DIY home projects and I would love to feature this! I would link back to your blog and give you credit for your photos. It's just a way to share low budget projects! Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks!

      Reply
    5. Bonnie@Creative Decorating

      August 06, 2010 at 2:21 pm

      Stopping by from Furniture Feature Friday! Looks great!

      Reply
    6. freckled laundry

      August 06, 2010 at 3:17 am

      Beautiful! Your foam drying story had me laughing.

      Have a great Friday,
      Jami

      Reply
    7. The Decorating Diaries

      August 06, 2010 at 2:43 am

      I've always wanted to try this project. Yours turned out great.

      Janet

      Reply
    8. Lisa

      August 05, 2010 at 2:24 pm

      Terrific Idea~~! It turned out fabulous and it fits perfectly at the end of your bed.

      Reply
    9. Julie

      August 05, 2010 at 2:25 am

      Great job! I'm wanting to do one of these, too (as soon as I find the right table!)

      Reply
    10. The Polka Dot Closet

      August 05, 2010 at 1:32 am

      I love it, note to self do not wash foam! How did you attache the wood under the cushion to the coffee table frame?

      Carol

      Reply
    11. Momma Button

      August 05, 2010 at 1:05 am

      I am totally in love!! Looks beautiful.

      Reply
    12. La

      August 05, 2010 at 12:03 am

      Looks great! La

      Reply
    13. Homemade Quilts by Granny

      August 04, 2010 at 11:24 pm

      Looks good and matches your room perfectly. Trish

      Reply
    14. Always Nesting

      August 04, 2010 at 10:57 pm

      That bench turned out fabulous! You are so creative and I can't believe the price to make it. That's my kind of project 🙂

      Reply
    15. Kelli

      August 04, 2010 at 7:56 pm

      Hi Gail,
      I love that bench, and really love that you left the color. You made it look so easy...I may even attempt it in the future (if I can find a good deal on the table!). Once, I saw someone on TV use an old button on the back side of their 'tufting' to hold the thread. They just threaded it through the holes and tied it off really well (instead of stapling). It seems like a simple (and maybe quicker?) way to finish off the back side of the tufting. It looks great, and that is one embellishment that I'm intimidated by! Thanks for sharing your wisdom and creativity!

      Reply
    16. Lenore @ Lather. Write. Repeat.

      August 04, 2010 at 7:53 pm

      Beautiful Gail! Nice work!

      XO
      Lenore

      Reply
    17. Jill

      August 04, 2010 at 7:38 pm

      Wow. I can't believe it took that long to dry! I probably would have lost interest. lol It looks great though!

      Reply
    18. Nana's Fun Stuff

      August 04, 2010 at 5:52 pm

      Oh Gail I love how that turned out!!! Gave me an idea now 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
    19. thimblecottage

      August 04, 2010 at 3:40 pm

      Hey Gail, love your blog! I never buy the pricy button kits , I take an old button and cut a circle of batting and a circle of fabric and put the button in the center and do a running stitch around the circle of fabric. then draw it tightly and you have a covered button .They are much stronger than the kits as thet don;t pop apart. of course stitch it firmly after you pull it tightly around your button. I hope this makes sense .it is really very simple to do and costs next to nothing. Mary thimblecottage@bellsouth.net

      Reply
    20. judi

      August 04, 2010 at 3:36 pm

      love the makeover gail...and the use of the drop cloth...love those! it looks great in your new bedroom.
      judi 😉

      Reply
    21. Denise

      August 04, 2010 at 2:41 pm

      It looks awesome! I love Howard, Deb from Proper Prim introduced us 🙂 I have a few pieces of older furniture that I want to rub some on and it will look so much better. I think that you, Deb & Rose should get together and write a book or make a fun how to video!

      Reply
    22. Angie

      August 04, 2010 at 1:45 pm

      I love this! I wish we had room in our bedroom for something similar. You have me hitting up Craigslist and thrift stores trying to find somthing fabulous!

      Reply
    23. Meg

      August 04, 2010 at 1:34 pm

      So cute! I love the buttons. I've been looking for a bench like that FOREVER! They are so expensive in the retail world. I like your solution!

      Reply
    24. Debilou~Mississippi Mama

      August 04, 2010 at 1:26 pm

      Hey Gail.. the bench looks great, love drop cloth!! lots of uses for that stuff. So how do you attach the covered top to the bench when you're finished covering??

      Reply
    25. Beans and Buttons

      August 04, 2010 at 12:35 pm

      Really great bench! Love the tufting!

      Reply
    26. LisasCreativeHome

      August 04, 2010 at 11:59 am

      Great Job! Love it. I just got an old coffee table and am planning on turning it into an ottoman for my livingroom!

      Reply
    27. A Pretty Pastime

      August 04, 2010 at 11:23 am

      Great repurpose Gail! I absolutely love it! The covered buttons are the perfect finishing touch and the bench looks marvelous in your bedroom.

      KTY

      Reply
    28. Proper Prim

      August 04, 2010 at 9:47 am

      That is perfect for the end of your bed... great job.

      How frustrating when you are waiting for something to dry... I would have caved and bought a piece... patience is not one of my stonger traits.

      Hugs, Deb

      Reply
    29. Granny J

      August 04, 2010 at 9:43 am

      Girlfriend you have outdone yourself on this one. It is fabulous! The bench is the perfect size. I'm gonna have to get some of that restorer. Although it took forever for the foam to dry it's good that you rinsed the dirt out. There's nothing stinkier than dirty foam rubber.

      If that bench were at the end of my bed Trixie would be using it to get on the bed. Has Louie claimed the bench yet?

      Reply
    30. Lindy

      August 04, 2010 at 8:23 am

      I think you are so right about the size of the table being perfect for the foot of your bed... and thanks to you, if I ever attempt this project I will NOT WASH THE FOAM!

      Reply
    31. Pam

      August 04, 2010 at 7:20 am

      Terrific makeover! I had to laugh about your cleaning the foam piece.....I've done the exact same thing and resorted to all sorts of methods (as you did) for getting the darn thing dry. LOL The covered buttons were the perfect finish. Great job! Pam @ Sallygoodin

      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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