Welcome back, friend! Today I’m revisiting a painted bench makeover that lived through two different updates – no one bought the first style after a long time in my booth, so it came back home and got a completely different look!
I’m also sharing several other painted bench makeover ideas below: upholstery, wood, headboard, stenciled, etc. I looooove a good bench makeover.
Here’s the cute little bench when I first got it:
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How to Update a Vintage Bench – Option 1
First I unscrewed the seat and turned it over. I ended up using a vintage cross-stitched pillowcase for the new fabric (thankfully I didn’t have to cut it at all) and just stapled it over the old green fabric.
If the seat foam needs replaced, I recommend using 2-inch upholstery foam which you can cut to size with scissors – and you can use an upholstery stapler like this one for this type of simple upholstered bench makeover.
The wood was painted white and protected with clear wax. (You can learn more about this project and see more photos here.)
Here’s the first version of this painted bench makeover…
So very vintage and lovely. But I think it was just too much white for most people, and would be hard to keep clean – so it sat in my booth for a long time.
How to Update a Vintage Bench – Option 2
I rarely redo furniture that I’ve already updated, but I got excited to try something different on this piece (I told you I love doing bench makeovers!).
I carefully removed the cross-stitch pillowcase with this upholstery staple remover (someone recommended it to me a long time ago and it makes the task so easy and painless). This time, I stapled this cotton batting over the green fabric. It makes for a softer seat and helps make a bright blank slate for the new fabric (think of it kind of like priming before you paint).
I almost always use cotton batting now in my reupholstery projects – the finished outcome just looks more professional. Then I used painter’s drop cloth as the top fabric.
I carefully used stencils and a foam pouncer to create the look of a DIY French grain sack on the upholstered bench makeover. You can read the whole tutorial and see more photos here.
And here’s how it turned out the second time…
It has such a soft sweet farmhouse style – plus it sold quickly in my booth this time!
Here’s a quick recap of the different lives of this little bench makeover:
There’s also a beautiful reupholstered French armchair makeover in my book Amazing Furniture Makeovers in which I also stenciled drop cloth:
Discover several more DIY bench makeover ideas in just a moment below.
But now, it’s time for Furniture Fixer Uppers day with my blogging friends, and this month we’re all sharing some favorite furniture makeovers from the past:
Below are the Before photos – visit the links underneath to see the creative Afters and to learn how they did it:
1. Salvaged Inspirations
2. Just the Woods
3. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
4. The Interior Frugalista
5. Petticoat Junktion
Painted Bench Makeover Ideas: Upholstery, Wood, Headboard, Stenciled
Creative bench makeover ideas for your next thrifty furniture makeover project.
Repurposed Chest Lid to Modern Farmhouse Bench
How to repurpose a broken chest lid into a modern farmhouse bench with hairpin legs.
Tufted Upholstered Bench Makeover
How to do a tufted reupholstered bench makeover - two part series.
Weathered Bench Makeover with Chalk Paint
How to get an easy weathered finish on an oak bench makeover.
The Most Basic Tutorial for How to Reupholster - Vanity Bench Makeover
Learn the simple way to recover a vanity bench seat.
Damaged Vintage Headboard Bench Makeover
How to repair a headboard bench and add a rub-on transfer.
Oval Vanity Stool Makeover
Update a vanity stool with new French fabric and piping (from curtain panels!).
Fun Animal Print Fabric For Vintage Bench Seat Cover
Vanity bench seat is updated with cute dog fabric.
How to Turn an Antique Headboard into a Bench
Transform an outdated antique into a headboard bench.
Boho Chic Furniture Makeover For My Alter Ego Self
Easy update for a small bench seat.
Denise - salvagedinspirations.com says
I’m a fan of cross-stitch so I think your first take is super sweet – but take two – omgosh – gorgeous. I can see why it sold so quickly! XO
Christy James says
The first makeover was sweet, but I LOVE the second makeover! I hope you have an amazing Christmas with your babies!! XOXO
Marie says
I thought the first cross stitch makeover was lovely, Jen. But the second, with that lovely farmhouse charm, definitely won me over! No surprise is sold quickly. Wishing you and your family a beautiful Christmas. xo
Lizzy says
I’m not surprised the second makeover sold so fast. It was perfect! I <3 grain stripes.
Cecilia from Georgia says
I am so impressed with the stenciling you put on fabric. Do you treat the fabric prior to stenciling and do you seal it afterwards? The benches are each unique and beautiful.
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Lizzy!!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Marie! Merry Christmas to you! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much, sweet friend – same to you! xo
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks so much Denise! ❤️ Merry Christmas to you!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you Cecilia! 🙂 I washed the drop cloth before using it, to soften it up. I didn’t treat the fabric afterward but you certainly could spray some protectant over it.
kandice kullmann says
great collection of benches! they’re the perfect small furniture projects 🙂