A couple of months ago, my friend Shannon gave me a LOT of cabinet doors. While looking for an easy project to do recently, I decided that using repurposed cabinet doors to make a small bench for kids, dolls, or the garden would be a great little project.
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I sorted through the doors to find two that match. They look the same, but they are different widths.
A bench needs some great legs. I have had these two for a long time. I think they were part of a piano ??
You can see that I ripped the beveled edge off of the cabinet door. I used some gorilla glue to help strengthen my joints made with my Kreg Jig.
I love using these Right Angle Clamps
In this picture, I have the front legs attached to the skirt, but I’m testing the height of the back legs.
In this picture, I’m testing to see if the wider door should be the seat or the back of the bench.
That is when I decided to rip the bevel off of each door so they would sit better on each other.
I pre-drilled holes in order to secure screws from the skirt (box) to the back legs. I used Gorilla Wood Glue for extra strength.
I use drywall spackling for a lot of my patching. It’s easy to work with and it dries fast. I had to remove a bunch of staples from the legs, and they left a LOT of holes.
I used my AirStrike 18 gauge nail gun
There was a small gap between the top part of the legs and the door due to the recessed area. I used a small piece of think plywood to fill it in.
This is how the back ended up looking.
Now this little repurposed cabinet door bench is ready for some paint!
I used General Finishes Antique White Milk Paint. I really like the way it covers, and that it’s not quite as flat as Chalk Paint or DIY Chalk Paint.
d.o.n.e.
So far, I haven’t even sealed it, because if feels really great and smooth. This little bench would be great for the kiddos, dolls or even for the garden to hold some bright colored flowers.
I went to the basement and dug out Jamie’s American Girl dolls, but they sort of look too much like Edith Anne. 
I still have many, many cabinet doors left to repurpose. I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for some easy projects.
gail
see many more ideas below:
Ben Braughton says
November 6, 2017 at 5:02 pmCould you give the dimensions of you legs as well as how high you made the seat from the floor?
Gail Wilson says
November 7, 2017 at 8:05 amBen,
I typically make kids benches 10-12 inches from the floor. I no longer have this project so I can’t measure it for you. Apologies for not including it in the original article.
I hope this helps.
gail
Dawn says
March 8, 2016 at 7:20 amHow cute! We just remodeled our kitchen and I rescued all the doors!
I scrolled back up and looked at yourcollection of doors and and a few talked to me…
One said it had a pretty frame and would make a nice memory board with burlap
The tall ones would make a nice mirror (except you have a pair and there is an arch in the top)
I am needing to find a mail organizer to make… I saw a skinny that would be perfect. Not sure if I would use small chicken wire or fabric for the pockets… wire I think… Hobby Lobby have one I like, it was distressed red. Won’t give what they are asking…
I am also looking for a unique peg hook set up. Something to hang ball caps on… hum… maybe…
I don’t know if I have inspired, this is just where my head is …
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
March 8, 2016 at 8:47 amDawn,
Thanks for the great ideas! Many if not MOST of these doors have found new purposes. I have just edited the blog post to show many more projects that have been made from cabinets and cabinet doors.
I’m glad you rescued all the doors from your kitchen, how fun!
gail
Joyce says
January 6, 2016 at 12:36 pmNew to your blog and computer illiterate but saw hammer andnail for fun. Has anyone suggested making your own headboard by connecting the cabinet doors in the middle depending on the width and then to proceed to make your standard bench do the same to make the side panels
Just a thought. Loved the info. Son and family retiring after a lifetime being deployed in army and daughter in law ready to be creative. We will do it
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
January 6, 2016 at 1:11 pmWelcome to my little corner of the world Joyce! I’ve seen the type of headboard you’re talking about, and it’s a great idea. I’ve also made a small doll bench out of cabinet doors. I love what I do!
How fun that you will have a “partner in creativity”. Wishing you all the best.
gail
Terri says
July 17, 2014 at 8:57 amAdorable idea…as always it turned out perfect!
Pam says
July 17, 2014 at 8:56 amGreat job as always. Never thought of doing cabinet doors into a small bench. Would look great in a garden of flowers with a pot of flowers sitting on it.
Pat says
July 15, 2014 at 10:24 pmHa! Gail… I loved Edith Anne, who didn’t?
This little bench is so cute.
I saw that someone gave you a list of links for other projects with the other doors.
Might I suggest… something? i’LL EMAIL YOU.
THIS TURNED OUT SO CUTE.
Patricia
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
July 15, 2014 at 1:32 pmGreat use of the doors. I can’t believe how many you have! That would look lovely with red geraniums on it.
girlfromwva says
July 15, 2014 at 12:23 pmi think that little bench is just awesome!
old cabinet doors repurposed with mason jar for wall vase
http://followpics.co/mason-jar-vase-on-repurposed-cabinet-door/
Old cabinet doors repurposed as art displays
http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ed/7f/f1/ed7ff1d7ccc5fc16bd2ac422ea741218.jpg
Katie says
July 15, 2014 at 10:07 amWhat an adorable little bench!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
July 15, 2014 at 9:49 amHow creative, cute and thrifty! And wow, that is a lot of cabinet doors!
Laurel Stephens says
July 15, 2014 at 9:22 amWhat a cute project, Gail!
Holly says
July 15, 2014 at 8:07 amCute idea! 🙂