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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Old Chairs into New Bench

    Old Chairs into New Bench

    Published by Gail | Published June 13, 2014 | Updated June 24, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Hello My Repurposed Life readers! I am back with a very fun project today, one that is right up Gail's Alley...Old Chairs into a New Bench.

    Old chairs made into New bench



    See! Fun!

    Before picture of old chairs

    I picked these up last year on the curb for our city's spring clean up. Obviously one spindle was missing, and the seats were...well UGLY, and gross.

    I have made a promise (to my husband) to clean off the back patio, which is filled with free furniture I have collected. I sold a bunch for dirt cheap last week and saw these poor little chairs and decided it was time to make them awesome.

     

    Taking off old seats from chairs
    I looked under and saw that the seats were stapled on, so I pried them off with a crow bar. The nails were sticking up every where so I hammered off the triangles, since they wouldn't be necessary with what I had planned.

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    Removing spindles from chair backs

    After some thinking, I decided that since I couldn't replace the missing spindle, I would cut them all out and do something else in their place. I used my Roybi Sawzall and they were off in seconds. Then I gathered some scrap boards to make a bench!

     

     

    adding front board with pocket holes
    Using a 2x3 I drilled pocket holes and clamped it between the two chairs, the pocket holes are in the back.
    adding back support board
    These chairs have seen a lot of weather and when I drilled the pocket hole (with my Kreg Jig)  on the right the wood started splitting. I put some glue in it and clamped it to dry. Thankfully that was the only place that split. Then I added the back board the same way.

     

     

    chairs connected with new boards

    The top board was also added with pocket holes. I originally was going to use a piece from an old crib, but I accidentally cut it too short (figures), so I traced the pattern on a scrap 1x4 and used it, I liked the slight wave it has.

     

     

    Adding back support boards

    I then cut slats for the back of the chairs/bench and drilled pocket holes. This wood was a left over shelf support board from my Master Closet Makeover, glad I kept it!

    It was getting so hot outside that I decided to build in the kitchen. 🙂  I glued and screwed the boards in place, trying to keep them level and even. One chair was a little askew so it is not perfect, but hey that is ok! I have long since learned that perfection in projects is almost NEVER, and I am just fine with that.

     

     

    Finding wood to fit the bench seat

    I filled all the cracks and holes with spackle, and brought it outside to find boards for a seat. A few months back I scored some reclaimed wood from a 1940's garden/nursery in Boulder, I took as much as I could! I used a couple of 1x6's from that stash and a 1x3 I had in the garage. Then I cut them to size.

     

     

    using a crib spindle on the front of the bench

    I had a spindle left from the crib I mentioned, I thought it would look cute in the front and help bring the piece together. You might recognize this spindle... I used some on my Repurposed Hook shelf into Book Shelf which happened to be my first contributor posts here. Using my Roybi air strike nailer I nailed it on using 2 inch nails, from the sides of the legs, right where the arrows are pointing.

     

    Stain and poly new bench seat boards

    The boards got some stain and poly. I guess I am still stuck on the dark wood...I did almost use the weathered gray that I used on my Old Deck Wood Laundry Crate, I tried a sample of each stain on the back of the boards, but I liked the dark better.

     

     

    Spray paint benchWhile the poly was drying I did some spray painting. I stared with the bench upside down, and then ended with it standing upright. I used about 1 and a half cans. I was in a hurry and painting this bench by hand would have taken forever...so this bench was about $8 total, that is the cost of spray paint, with a half a can left, not bad!

     

    gluing and nailing on bench seat boards
    Last up was gluing and nailing on the seat boards. I used Gorilla Glue, my fave, and 2 inch nails. Some of the nails didn't go all the way in, probably because of knots in the wood...so I just hammered them down flat, I am all for the rustic look anyway, remember nothing is perfect! 🙂
    close up of seat of Old chairs made into New bench
    You can see a couple in the middle at the top that were nailed in...but I love it anyway!
    Old chairs made into New bench
    It is such a fun unique piece and I am excited to find a good place for it.
     helping mom take pictures ofOld chairs made into New bench
    My little guy was helping me take pictures, It was awesome how he copied me by doing different angles... I couldn't resist sharing, he was being sooo cute!
    Old chairs made into New bench
    For now this bench is in my living room, and my kids were testing it out. It fits five kids end to end, and four kids quite comfortably.
    Old chairs made into New bench
    I am happy to have finally figured out what to do with those old ugly chairs. I think they are looking pretty good with a little TLC, what do you think?!
    Hugs,
    Mindi
    See more of Mindi's projects below:
    [categorythumbnaillist 274]

     

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    About Mindi

    Mindi is a wife, mother, runner, dancer, and a lover of all things fun and DIY.

    A few years ago she discovered blogs and fell in love with the idea that she could do things she had always dreamed of doing. Like build furniture from pallets, and make cool projects for her home.... Mindi was inspired by other bloggers that empowered her to create.

    Mindi decided to give back and possibly reach someone out there that has a desire to create like herself. She believes we all have that desire in some form or another, and we all DO create in our own way, every day. Whether it be crafty or not, even creating happiness in others is a gift that many share.

    Mindi loves to learn and use that knowledge to make beautiful and useful things for her home.

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    1. Dacil Sanchez

      April 05, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      Hi Gail!
      I love the idea of making a bench with 2 chairs. It´s great!
      I have 3 old chairs and I think I´m going to give them a try with your idea.
      On the other side, I have made a bench with a headboard. I´ll be very please if you want to visit my blog.
      Lovely to found your lovely web.
      Many thanks!!

      Reply
      • Dacil Sanchez

        April 10, 2016 at 6:24 am

        I´m so sorry for my confusion Mindi! I´m double please then, because from now on I´ll be following both of your works. 😉

    2. Diane

      May 10, 2015 at 5:40 pm

      can you remember what color the paint is?

      Reply
      • Mindi

        May 10, 2015 at 8:17 pm

        Hi Diane,
        I used Rustoleum's Oasis Blue Spray Paint. Hope that helps!
        Mindi

    3. Shelly

      September 15, 2014 at 1:54 am

      Just gorgeous! I wish I lived next door to you -I would do the painting if you would show me how you make everything! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Dee

      June 13, 2014 at 5:59 pm

      Hi Gail
      Love the new bench.

      I have a question for you. What would be the best kind of wood fill for same cabinet doors? The doors are MDF but will be painted.

      Reply
    5. gail@myrepurposedlife.net

      June 13, 2014 at 10:34 am

      Mindi,

      I LOVE this bench. I have two chairs, and you can bet I'll be doing my own version using yours for inspiration!

      thanks for being such a great contributor to MRL!

      gail

      Reply
    6. Pat

      June 13, 2014 at 9:20 am

      Adorable!
      I just love this bench. I made one out of 3 chairs. It's not perfect-- but it's mine, I made it!
      Loved seeing your little boy following all your footsteps in the process.
      Have a great weekend! Pat

      Reply

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