Potting Bench Tutorial Using Recycled Products

6 Materials
1 Hour
Medium
$0. That's what this project cost us. And a total time of one hour to design, cut and assemble it. Hubby and I agree, this is by far our easiest project ever! And probably one of our favorites.

Maybe you've noticed the potting bench fad filling up your Pinterest feeds? I fell in love. And I knew we had enough plants to make use for it, not to mention the fact that I can style this thing super cute with party favors, drinks and food when we have guests over!
First things first, let's talk about your materials. Like I said, this is a completely recycled project. We spent $0 on it and found everything else laying around our house. I urge you to recreate this product using recycled products as well. You'll be surprised what you can come up with and just what you can find for free or cheap!


The workbench was in our basement when we moved in. Hubby wanted to pitch it but I knew it would have a use eventually (3 years later). The window was a gift and an extra laying around my house. And the 2x4's are actually studs from the 1800's that we removed from our daughter's nursery remodel in 2016 and have saved ever since.


If you aren't interested in the whole tutorial, skip to my blog post to see how I styled it! ( See Blog Post Here!)


Materials:
Workbench or Table
Old Wooden Window
2x4 Studs (We used two)
Framing Nailer with 3" Nails
Finish Nailer with 2" Nails
Level
Step 1:
Measure the base of your window and cut a stud the exact same length. Our window was 34 3/8″ wide so we cut a stud 34 3/8″ long.
Use a level to make sure your board is straight and attach to back of workbench using nailer.
Step 2:
Now it’s time to cut the side studs that will frame your window. These need to be the the same length as the height of your window. Our window was 33 1/2″ tall so we cut (2) studs at 33 1/2″ long.
Nail first side stud in place. Use the framing nailer to nail to workbench and 3″ nails.
Set window in place and nail second side stud in place.
To help secure your window, nail at an angle penetrating wood window frame and stud. Use your finish nailer when nailing through the window frame. If you use a framing nailer for this, you will most likely crack the window. Do this several times, taking care not to crack the glass.
Step 3:
Cut top piece by measuring from edge of the first side stud to the edge of the second side stud. Our top stud ended up measuring 42 1/2″ long because our window was 34 3/8″ wide and the side studs were a little over 4″ wide each.
Nail top stud into place by nailing all the way across the top of the window frame.
Step 4:
For added structure, cut two studs at 45 degrees. These can be any length you want.
Step 4:
For added structure, cut two studs at 45 degrees. These can be any length you want.
Nail side supports into place on each side of the potting bench.
This helps your window frame from swaying and adds firm support to the window.


That's it! Now you can style and decorate your potting bench with plants, flowers, and anything else that is fit for the outdoors!
This helps your window frame from swaying and adds firm support to the window.


That's it! Now you can style and decorate your potting bench with plants, flowers, and anything else that is fit for the outdoors!
This was a photo heavy post so I do have more photos on my blog of the styled workbench as well as a few step-by-step photos I couldn't fit here. You can see those here!
Let me know what you think in the comments below! If you've built a potting bench too, share a photo with everyone! I'd love to see the designs you hometalkers have came up with!
Suggested materials:
  • Workbench/Table
  • Wood Window
  • Studs
See all materials
Two Paws Farmhouse | Homesteading
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Go
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Comments
Join the conversation
 1 comment
Next