I reinforced the bottom of one I found at a thrift store. Cleaned it up, used Old English for dark wood and used it as a wood box near my wood stove. I didn't paint it, as I felt tossing wood into it would chip the paint.
Another neat idea is to cover the top with foam, then fabric and use it as a storage bench. Paint it or not. Depending upon the material and if you waterproof it, you could use it for outside storage in the summer.
I currently have a beautiful old walnut hope chest I keep at the foot of my bed for my linens and blankets.
If they have a seat cushion, you could do like I did: I took my old one and recovered the bench part with giraffe pattern and filled it with baby shower gifts for daughter. Now she has a place to store items for now till baby comes, and then it will be filled with baby toys later (but before it becomes safe for baby toys, we will be adding a slow closing hinge to avoid it slamming down. If you include a picture of them, I could give you more ideas.
Place them under windows for extra seating and perhaps lay ONE book on it with a small tray with a cup to remind you to take time out and read a bit to start or end your day.
I have one my father restored for me. I used to use it as a coffee table. Now, I use it as a side table. It sticks out a bit from my couch, but I like it. I have a taller table lamp on it and it works great.
I painted one once with a harlequin pattern with a checkerboard on top. I did it in a variety of pastel colors and painted it crudely so it had a primitive look to it. It was used as our storage/coffee table for decades.
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Put them side by side with a large piece of glass over them and make them a coffee table or use them as two end tables .
Make them into benches with cushions
I reinforced the bottom of one I found at a thrift store. Cleaned it up, used Old English for dark wood and used it as a wood box near my wood stove. I didn't paint it, as I felt tossing wood into it would chip the paint.
Another neat idea is to cover the top with foam, then fabric and use it as a storage bench. Paint it or not. Depending upon the material and if you waterproof it, you could use it for outside storage in the summer.
I currently have a beautiful old walnut hope chest I keep at the foot of my bed for my linens and blankets.
If they have a seat cushion, you could do like I did: I took my old one and recovered the bench part with giraffe pattern and filled it with baby shower gifts for daughter. Now she has a place to store items for now till baby comes, and then it will be filled with baby toys later (but before it becomes safe for baby toys, we will be adding a slow closing hinge to avoid it slamming down. If you include a picture of them, I could give you more ideas.
I have one my father restored for me. I used to use it as a coffee table. Now, I use it as a side table. It sticks out a bit from my couch, but I like it. I have a taller table lamp on it and it works great.
Lucky you! I always wanted one! Use them! Or give them a makeover to suit your taste.
I am using mine as a bench at the foot of my bed.
Put feet on them and use them for coffee table and toy box or ottoman after making a pad for the top.
I use one for a blanket chest...the cedar keeps the bugs out.
I painted one once with a harlequin pattern with a checkerboard on top. I did it in a variety of pastel colors and painted it crudely so it had a primitive look to it. It was used as our storage/coffee table for decades.
Get an old headboard and footboard and remake the lot into a fab bench in front of that double wide window or on your front porch... https://www.pinterest.com/explore/headboard-benches/?lp=true
Hello Mary; Please follow your heart, and choose colors that you love and enjoy!!!
How nice, to be able to use an Antique cedar chest for extra seating!!
If they were mine, I would go shopping for fabrics. Antique/older looking fabric might work for you, as it would keep with the age of the chests!!
If the wood is in good condition, all that you might need to do is to condition the wood, and then make pillows and I would also make a seat pad.
I hope that this helps you!!! Good Luck!!
Rhwy are good for storing blankets during the spring/summer/fall months
yes!