Asked on Jan 17, 2016

How can I attach a trunk and pillow to make a bench?

Liz
by Liz
I'm trying to figure out a way to attach a pillow to a trunk to make it a bench. Any suggestions?
This trunk is a reproduction and does not open so not very useful!
Intending to get foam and fabric but found this dog bed for much less.
  30 answers
  • Nur3199750 Nur3199750 on Jan 17, 2016
    Velcro works well .
  • Jean Myles Jean Myles on Jan 17, 2016
    I agree Velco is probably the best way to go. If for some reason you don't want to go that way. You could sew elastic 1 to 11/2 inches wide, same colour as the trunk to the dog pillow a couple of inches in from each end and long enough to go all around the trunk, minus a inch or two, sew the ends together .They should be a little tight. Then it is easy to wash if needed. Good luck..
  • Valerie Valerie on Jan 18, 2016
    I agree with the Velcro suggestion. You can get a 'peel and stick' variety, so that would be the easiest option.
  • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Jan 18, 2016
    If this is permanent, attach the cushion to a piece of plywood cut to size and secure to the lid from inside. You won't feel the metal straps on the lid through the wood and cushion. If this is temporary, try making a cover for the cushion that includes the lid of the trunk, like a fitted sheet. Use elastic at the corners to keep it from slipping. A no slip shelf liner mat might work as well.
    • See 1 previous
    • Susan Bechamp Susan Bechamp on Jan 18, 2016
      A leather seat on a horizontal bookcase works for me. I would add metal corner reinforcements. Books surrounded by wood, leather and metal is a classic combo.
  • Spe3227020 Spe3227020 on Jan 18, 2016
    I agree with the velco but I would use the industrial kind, you can find it at Sam's Club or Harbor Freight. You also would put the stiff velcro on the trunk and the fuzzy one on the pillow so you could wash it and stuff would not stick so easily to the pillow. This is self stick type.
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Jan 18, 2016
    How about a rubber mat instead? I wouldn't want to take the chance of damaging the trunk surface using something that would stick to it, but the Velcro suggestions are good ones. Good luck. Thanks for sharing.
  • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Jan 18, 2016
    I did a bench that way using heavy duty Velcro. It never slips.
    • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Jan 18, 2016
      @Elaine Simmons What is heavy duty velcro, and how will I tell it apart from regular?
  • Liz Guest Liz Guest on Jan 18, 2016
    Since the trunk won't open, consider attaching the cushion using upholstery tacks all around the outside. They come in different styles so you have a lot to choose from. It would also add a nice look to the bench.
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Jan 18, 2016
    Great ide to get a dogbed!!!already you have the foam and fabric, thanks for that idea!
  • Liz Straughn Liz Straughn on Jan 18, 2016
    Sew simple straps on each long side...two or three on each side at the bottom seam (against the trunk). Add Velcro to each end. Add Velcro to corresponding place inside of trunk lid (along sides of lid). That should hold it on.
    • Liz Liz on Jan 19, 2016
      The trunk does not open, but thanks anyway!!!🙂
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Jan 18, 2016
    Love the trunk.
  • Janice James Janice James on Jan 18, 2016
    Using plywood cut to size for top, place foamrubber on plywood then fabric on foam ...pull sides so you can staple to plywood ..if you want run screws from inside the trunk lid into the wood to attach permanently.
    • Liz Liz on Jan 19, 2016
      That's gives me something to go on!! The trunk does not open but something to think about!!🙂
  • Elaine Simmons Elaine Simmons on Jan 18, 2016
    I used the self stick and it will say on the outside of the package that it is heavy duty. If I remember right, the fabric stores sometimes carry it or places like Lowes or Home Depot might carry it also.
  • Marci N Marci N on Jan 18, 2016
    I wonder if the super sticky velcro from the hardware store would work for this.
  • Michael Swigert Michael Swigert on Jan 18, 2016
    Did any of you read where the trunk WON'T open?
  • Crystal Crystal on Jan 19, 2016
    Use velcro
  • Heather Bussey Heather Bussey on Jan 19, 2016
    Marci that was my thought, too. Then you could remove for washing. If you're going to paint the trunk, don't paint the top under the pillow, so the velcro can grip.
  • Liz Liz on Jan 19, 2016
    Upon further inspection...the trunk is not a reproduction and does open!
  • Sonja Hansen Sonja Hansen on Jan 20, 2016
    If it opens, you can sew/glue some strap of some sort, perhaps even leather, to the underside of the pillow. Then feed it under the lid and attach it inside. I have done this with a cedar chest. I have used snaps, but like just using a large safety pin because then I can adjust where I attach the two together.
  • Marylou Murdock Marylou Murdock on Jan 20, 2016
    use old leather belts to attach pillow around chest buckle not on pillow top anywhere else would be fine.
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Jan 20, 2016
    Ditto on the Velcro! Or make some pretty sash ties. Or a covered elastic band attached to the cushion and underneath the lid of the trunk. Hey, I need to use one of these ideas myself on a bench seat. Good luck! Sorry I didn't notice you said the lid doesn't work!
  • Sandra Sandra on Jan 21, 2016
    Is this an old trunk? Have you had anyone give you an idea of how much it's worth? The reason I ask is it may not be something you want to stick something to or put holes into. Since it opens I would make long ties from either nice ribbon or with fabric that either matches the fabric you are using on the pillow. Measure how long it would be to attach the pillow under the top. I would just it it. It should have to be a couple inches so it gives a bit when you close it. I am sure I am telling you things you know, but I like to be thorough. Lol. It's certainly a beautiful chest. I hope you post your finished project.
  • Lulu Lulu on Jan 22, 2016
    Use stick on industrial velcro to attach cushion to trunk.
  • L L on Jan 22, 2016
    You might try three long strips of self stick velcro on the trunk matching three strips on wrong side of the cushion. This technique will keep the cushion in place.
  • Snooks1948 Snooks1948 on Jan 22, 2016
    You can lay the pillow on a piece of plywood cut the same size as the Trunk top, cover it with Material stapled to the back of the plywood then use short screws from inside the trunk to attach the whole thing to the trunk.
  • JC Sipes JC Sipes on Jan 23, 2016
    Since the "trunk" is a reproduction and does not open, please verify that the decorative piece (not a trunk) is strong enough to function as a bench. Hope it works out for you and your DIY bench ends up gorgeous and functional.
  • Kayestes Kayestes on Aug 14, 2016
    Could you find two leather belts and strap the cushion down about 6 inches from the end on each side with the buckles showing on the front next to the clasps. If it is strong enough, you might want to find something and make some chunky size short legs to raise it up a little. Hope you find what you need and it will look good as well as funtional. Good luck on your project.
  • Deb K Deb K on Aug 04, 2023

    Hi Liz, hope this helps you out.

    1. Place an anti-slip mat between your cushions and the bench seat itself. Pre-cut mats can be purchased from your local hardware store.
    2. Attach furniture grippers, or even double sided tape, to all four corners of your cushions and secure to your bench seat.


  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 05, 2023

    If you want to be able to take the pillow off and wash it use velcro if you want it to be permanent use hot glue.

  • Bianca Bianca on Aug 06, 2023

    You can clean it