Asked on Sep 19, 2015

Should I make a bench?

Mickey Baron
by Mickey Baron
These don't sit close to each other for a bench. Should I paint them?
  13 answers
  • Z Z on Sep 19, 2015
    Since the backs are narrower than the fronts why not make a modern version of an old fashioned love seat (often called a tête-à-tête) by turning them to face each other. Here's an example of an antique loveseat/tête-à-tête.
  • Johnnie Sue Woodward Johnnie Sue Woodward on Sep 20, 2015
    or facing each other for a bench.
  • Mickey Baron Mickey Baron on Sep 20, 2015
    TY Becky, never thought of that! Hmmm?
    • Z Z on Sep 20, 2015
      @Mickey B. & Boo Boo well, I don't think I've seen it done with two chairs before. They are more often set side by side or facing each other as @Johnnie suggested. Those have been done before, so I thought I'd give you another idea. Granted not everyone would have a place to use one with the way homes are built now. I always thought of their facing, but side by side to perfect for kissing. ;^)
  • Rose Rose on Sep 20, 2015
    Maybe if you took those seats off and bought one piece of pressed wood to go over both seats cover of course with the material you like it would look more like a bench. Just a thought hope it helps!
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 20, 2015
    I would definitely repurpose as a bench as the backs are very interesting.Try going on pinterest for the how to repurpose old chairs.
    • Mickey Baron Mickey Baron on Sep 20, 2015
      @Janet Pizaro I love their back pattern Janet. That's why I bought them for 5.00 ea. at a flea market. I thought of taking off the seats, using pallet pcs. for the seat & chalk painting it, maybe? But they don't sit close, flush.The seat doesn't let them "connect" Should I find another to put between the two?
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 20, 2015
    I really would not worry about them being flush to much.I will say you scored on the price.Please post pic when you are finished.
  • Jim Jim on Sep 20, 2015
    I think you should cut off the backs, place a strip of wood on the bottoms and either stain to match or paint a funky color for wall art and then make a table or backless bench. Any bench made out of chairs looks ugly and uncomfortable to me.
  • Maureen Maureen on Sep 20, 2015
    If you were selling those on craiglist in my area, I would! nice shape backs for bench ends. The lattice pattern is bonus.
  • LD LD on Sep 20, 2015
    I would remove the current cushions, and get a piece of reclaimed wood and create a new piece to go across the two chairs for sitting. Then I we create a section for the space between the two backs, and you can replicate this new backing piece like the current backing, or you can treat the entire back as an upholstered piece. Personally I would recreate the new backing section like the current back, and increase the sitting bench area to accommodate the new width. Paint everything except the sitting wood piece, and stain and seal the bench seat a color to compliment the painted areas of the new bench.
    • See 1 previous
    • Bonnie Bonnie on Sep 27, 2015
      @Mickey B. & Boo Boo You wouldn't need to recreate the lattice, just a solid wood fill-in would look great. Are you wanting an upholstered seat, or wooden seat? If reupholstering, use a thick panel of plywood for the bench seat. Measure to the edge of both chairs. Cover with foam cushioning and material.
  • LD LD on Sep 20, 2015
    A lot depends on the look you are going for, if you want the chicky chic look than go with chalk paint with or without a glaze, but if you want to go with a wood grain finish, then you can go with a Minwax Polyshade, which includes a poly finish. I personally would go with the chalk finish with a glaze on everywhere except the bench seat, and stain the bench seat a shade that compliments the color choice of the milk paint.
  • Julie Crawford Julie Crawford on Sep 21, 2015
    I say go for the bench!
  • Tracy Tracy on Sep 22, 2015
    Well i'm gonna go against the crowd…. I see them painted a great color, light blue, butter yellow, or red even and reupholstered with beautiful new print, floral maybe. Stunning new statement side chairs!
  • Julie Crawford Julie Crawford on Sep 22, 2015
    Welcome, post a pic if you go with the bench! 😎