DIY Porch Bench

7 Materials

$75

1 Day

Medium

One of our favorite things to do is take furniture that may be at the end of their life in one form and extend the life by turning it into something more. We were gifted a full size headboard that had seen better days. We then transformed it into a bench for our front porch. With a few simple tools and some wood we were able to bring new life to this tired headboard. Come along with us as we show you how we did it.

The very first thing you’ll want to do is measure your headboard lengthwise. This one is a full size, your measurements will vary depending on the size, but the process will be the same.

Next measure how wide you want the seat to be. This will vary depending on your personal preferences.

Now let’s move on to the materials list.

•Headboard

•Two legs

•unfinished project board

•3” primed MDF board (for skirt below the seat)

•type C hardware (for the legs)

•1x2” trim

•clamps

•paint

•screws

•wood glue

Tools List

•table saw

•miter saw

•orbital sander

•tape measure

•Plunge router with round over bit

•drill & drill bits

•pencil

Let’s jump in...the first thing was to paint the headboard. We like to use Chalkpaint in an antique or farmhouse white. It took a few coats to cover all the black.

Then we distressed the paint. This allowed the black to pop through and give depth and character to the top. I use sandpaper and rub the paint off in decorative areas and along edges. Distressing is a personal taste option. The beautiful thing with DIY’s is that you make them they way you want.

Building the seat:

Measure the length of your headboard (ours is 57 2/2”), then cut your project board down to that size, using the table saw. The width of this board is 15”.

Then using the plunge router and round over bit, route the sides and front top edges for the curve you desire. Sand the entire surface with 220 grit sandpaper and the orbital sander.

Lay your seat upside down. Position the legs where you want them and mark with a pencil. Measure the distance between the two legs across the front, the legs to the back edge, and across the back edge. Cut your 3” trim boards to these measurements.

These are what type C hardware look like.

Following the directions on the type C hardware package, cut slots into the inside edge of both ends of the front skirt piece and the inside front ends of the side skirt pieces.

Cut your 1x2” trim down to 3” pieces. You’ll use these pieces to fasten the skirt to the under side of the bench’s seat. Using wood glue on the top and front side, making sure to evenly space them and clamp to hold in place. We used two on each end and 4-5 across the front and back. Place the legs into the front corners and attach following the hardware instructions.

We also screwed in screws to secure the skirt. Drill a pilot hole through your 3” trim. Then install a screw. This will prevent the wood from splitting. Paint the seat and legs and let dry.

as soon as the glue and paint are dry, attach the bench to the headboard with 5 to 6 screws evenly spaced.

Clamp and allow to dry completely. Now your bench is ready for the holidays, a front porch chat with the neighbors or even waiting for your kids to get home from school.

In the summer and fall we lijj my e to be outside a lot. Have ample seating is a must. This bench is not weather proof, so we do keep it under our covered porch.

In the winter when no one is sitting on it, we use it as part of our decorating scheme. I’m really excited for spring to come so I can sit out on my porch and enjoy the warmer weather. To see more ways we’ve styled this bench and other furniture projects check out our Instagram page @beaus_and_belles

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#Porchbench #upcycledfurniture #farmhousebench #Frontporchbench

To see more: http://www.instagram.com/beaus_and_belles/

4 of 16 comments

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Gayle
on Feb 5, 2021

That is really pretty!! Love the pillows to🥰🥰

1
Reply
- Joleen | Beaus and Belles
  on Feb 9, 2021
  
  Thank you so much Gayle!
  
  1
  Reply
Melinda Record
on Feb 8, 2021

Cute, cute, cute! This is cool ~ such a terrific repurpose of a headboard, and so well constructed. This not only works nicely on the porch, but would also be ideal in a door entryway or mudroom. Love it!!

Thank you very much for sharing and inspiring!

1
Reply
- Joleen | Beaus and Belles
  on Feb 9, 2021
  
  Aw, thank you so much Melinda! There are so many uses for this bench. We love to share and inspire here in this community!!
  
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