Mudroom Bench Makeover

7 Materials
$60
6 Hours
Easy

This was just one of those box store purchases that had served it's purpose well for many years and it became BORING! Well as Hometalkers we sure know how to do fix that don't we? Break out the tools, the paint cans and paint brushes, momma's going in DIY mode. 😃

Before- Mudroom Bench

First things first, dismantle the bench to make the painting process a whole lot easier! The three mirrors came out easily, there was just back panel holding them in place.

Removing Back Panelling
Mirrors removed.

Next I removed the three coat hooks at the front and took off the brown top ledge.

Removing Coat Hooks

Last but not least, my husband removed the hinged seat and knocked out the front panel to make an easy access opening for basket storage. This was a new idea I came up with because I was so tired of lifting the bench seat every time I needed to access the storage items underneath like dog leashes, my gardening gloves, etc.

Since this isn't real wood, just a laminate I began the painting process with a primer specifically designed for such a need. I applied two coats of it with a small roller brush just to ensure a really good base for the top coat of semi gloss white latex.

All Surface Primer

While the bench frame dried I worked outside sanding the seat, you see I had stained it previously with pickling white and now I wanted it back to a dark walnut. Luckily it was a sunny day, I used a 180 grit I think because the hardware stores were closed and that's all I had.

Sanding the Bench Seat

I coated the seat with a min wax Dark Walnut but because it was a thin wood veneer the stain didn't absorb as well as if it was real wood grain. After that dried I gave the seat 2 coats of Min wax Polyurethane seen here and moved on to the hooks while everything was drying.

I purchased these sea themed iron hooks a few years ago with no set purpose in mind for them until now, I'm just so glad my poor, old brain remembered where I put them!

Sea Creature Coat Hooks

Because the holes were going to be in new spots now with these sea creatures I used a sheetrock screw first to create the new holes, it was easy and effective.

New Holes for New Hooks

Oh yeah, the creatures didn't come with any screws so I fortunately have plenty on hand always BUT silver screws would stand out like a sore thumb! Solution...spray paint the screws in a close matching color...outside in a well ventilated area of course. I propped up the screws in an old egg carton and then left them outside until they were dry to the touch.

Spray Painting Screws

Rolling along now came the part of putting it all back together, except now I was short handed, no extra pair of hands to help hold the mirrors as someone put the back panelling on. I used clear packaging tape to secure them in position to the frame until I could secure the panel back in place.

Hooks are on, mirrors are in, bench seat is dry and secured on now for the pretty, little details... add in some colorful baskets and cushions! Now I just have to pull out a basket to reach the items in storage, its way better this way.

Baskets & Cushions

Here's the final reveal.....drum roll please... pretty please?

After- Mudroom Bench

Here's the side by side comparison of the makeover, isn't she beautiful? I'm smitten with her new look and it will only improve as I add in some more decor. Stay tuned....for more great transformations that will hopefully inspire you to break out the paint cans and the tools and go in DIY mode too!

Before & After

Please note, costs were approximate because I already had stains and paints leftover from other projects.

Resources for this project:
Super Adherent Primer
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