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DIY Furniture Kid Stuff Makeovers Trash To Treasure

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids

Thrift Store Find Makeover: Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids

Easy Painted Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids

A while ago, I found a little bench while thrift store shopping. It was only $9.99 and it even had a little drawer for storage. I bought it, took it home, and unloaded it into the garage.  Months later, which is highly unlike me, it has been sitting there collecting dust. At last, I completed this upcycled thrift store bench for kids to complete a reading nook for my daughter!

Check out my trash to treasure guide for why you should buy furniture secondhand. It also includes a list of trash to treasure tips and project ideas.

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids BLACK + DECKER
Here is the little bench BEFORE. Cute, right? I’m unsure if there used to be another part to it or not.

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids

There is even a little drawer for toy or book storage.

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids (1)

Here’s What You Need

Materials:

This materials list contains Amazon Affilliate links for recommended products. 

  • Awesome thrift store find!
  • Sander
  • Patch and Primer
  • Putty Knife
  • High Density Foam
  • Ruler
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Fabric
  • Needle and thread
  • Clean Clothes

Instructions

There were a lot of scratches, so I used an electric sander to sand down as much as I could. As you can see, there were also a lot of dents and blemishes. 

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids (2)

I filled it with a primer plus patch. When doing this, I find it easiest to overfill it and then once it is dry, sand over it to make it smooth.

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids (3)

Nest, I cleaned and dusted off all the debris and then spray painted the bench and drawer with a glossy finish.

Be sure to check out my article for when and how to use primer for DIY painting projects and furniture makeovers.

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids (5)

I also cut some high density foam to size and then covered it with a colorful fabric to make a little seat cushion. I couldn’t decide on what color of fabric; that’s why it took me so long to do this project. So, I asked my Facebook friends and I listened to what they had to say! I mean come on, you need to be comfy while reading!

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids (4)

It turned out so cute, and now my daughter’s reading nook in her bedroom is complete!

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids BLACK + DECKER

Here are a couple more photos!

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids Reading Knook

Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for Kids Your Big Finish

 

You May Also Like

Before you go, check out another fun upcycled furnitutre project from my YouTube channel! Get all the details here.

Like it? Pin it!

 

This article was improved and updated from November 2014.

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Comments

  1. kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says

    November 13, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Turned out super cute! Love that shade of blue!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 13, 2014 at 11:00 am

      Thank you so much, Kristi!

      Reply
  2. Susie@homemaker-mom says

    November 14, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    That is so adorable.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 16, 2014 at 9:36 am

      Thank you, Susie! Love the final color choice after so much reconsideration.

      Reply
  3. Sarah @ Little Red Brick House says

    November 18, 2014 at 10:32 am

    Love it, Dinah! The paint color is perfect and that fabric is so fun. I’m sure your daughter just loves it. Nice work!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 18, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      Thank you so much, Sarah! She does!

      Reply
  4. Gene Michael Barrera says

    November 26, 2014 at 9:05 am

    It looks like this used to be a side table with a glass top. It looks like there’s a ridge on the top where a pane of glass could have possibly nested. This is a GREAT reuse! I love everything you did with it from the color to the repurposing.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 26, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Oooooh!!!! I was wondering what the ridge was for. That makes sense. Thank you!!

      Reply
  5. Marie@The Interior Frugalista says

    March 2, 2015 at 8:56 am

    Dinah, what a great reading nook for your kids! Love the color you chose, the pretty cushion and the way you decorated around this awesome nook. My kids would have loved to have one of these when they were little.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 2, 2015 at 9:19 am

      Thank you so much, Marie! We (notice I say “we” ha!) play with it all the time. I’ll be sad when she outgrows it. 🙁

      Reply
      • Marie@The Interior Frugalista says

        March 4, 2015 at 5:22 pm

        Dinah I’m featuring your adorable reading bench/nook at the DIY Sunday Showcase Party this weekend.

        Reply
        • Dinah Wulf says

          March 4, 2015 at 5:31 pm

          Awesome, Marie!! Thank you SOO much!

          Reply
  6. Angela @ Simply Beautiful By Angela says

    March 2, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    This turned out so pretty! What a transformation. I think the fabric choice goes perfectly wiht the blue paint too 🙂

    Reply
  7. Susie at Oui Crochet says

    March 2, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    So cute! What a cozy little place to read.

    Reply
  8. Jennifer says

    March 3, 2015 at 6:46 am

    This is so cute! I love the color combination.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 3, 2015 at 7:32 am

      Thank you, Jennifer!

      Reply
  9. Gilly @ Colour Saturated Life says

    March 3, 2015 at 1:46 pm

    This turned out soooo cute! My daughter would love something like this!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 3, 2015 at 2:48 pm

      Thank you, Gilly!!

      Reply
  10. Mandie says

    March 3, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Cuuuuuuuttte!!! Love your blog!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 3, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      Thank you so much Mandie!

      Reply
  11. Angie says

    March 3, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Adorable!! You did a great job making over this piece! Thanks for sharing on Something To Talk About link party! Hope to see you again next Monday!!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 4, 2015 at 7:07 am

      Thank you so much, Angie!

      Reply
  12. Shirley Wood says

    March 4, 2015 at 6:19 am

    Just a fabulous project. I love the reading nook for the children. Stopping by from Wake Up Wednesday.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 4, 2015 at 7:07 am

      Thanks for stopping by, Shirley!

      Reply
  13. lorraine williamson says

    March 4, 2015 at 7:38 am

    love this idea makes the kids want to read more because of their own personal space thanks for sharing on flusters creative muster have a great day

    Reply
  14. Nadine says

    March 4, 2015 at 10:15 am

    This is so adorable, goes really well in her room and I love the colour 🙂

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 4, 2015 at 3:47 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  15. Audra @ Renewed Projects says

    March 4, 2015 at 3:15 pm

    What a great find! I’ve never seen a bench quite like that before. And I just ADORE the color with the complimenting fabric. Fantastic job!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 4, 2015 at 3:48 pm

      I can’t take full credit! I chose a few pieces of fabric and asked my DIY Inspired FB fans to chose which one and what color to paint it! Thank you so much, Audra!

      Reply
  16. Nikki says

    March 4, 2015 at 5:42 pm

    Oh how I love this! It is adorable. Thanks for inspiring!! Nikki

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 4, 2015 at 7:47 pm

      Thank you, Nikki!

      Reply
  17. Rebekah @ Charming Imperfections says

    March 5, 2015 at 4:49 am

    It’s soooo CUTE! I love a good furniture rescue and this one takes the cake. The colors are great and I love that it has a drawer in the bottom!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 5, 2015 at 6:28 am

      Thank you so much, Rebekah!

      Reply
  18. Sheena @ Tea and Biscuits says

    March 5, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    I’m so impressed that you made this, I’m more than a little challenged in the crafting department and would love to be able to make something as lovely as this! 🙂

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 5, 2015 at 5:23 pm

      Thank you SO much, Sheena! I’m sure you could do it too! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Diana Rambles says

    March 8, 2015 at 11:48 am

    I love this so much!! Great job!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      March 8, 2015 at 6:09 pm

      Thank you, Diana!

      Reply
  20. Jackie Du Preez says

    April 13, 2015 at 1:14 am

    Thank you Dinah for all your creative ideas, I am surely going to use some of them especially the Upcycled Thrift Store Bench for kids.

    Reply
  21. Kendall says

    June 19, 2017 at 2:32 pm

    Hi! Beautiful bench! I’m very inspired now. A couple questions for you though, 1) Where did you find a good dense foam for the cushion? 2) Did you use a sewing machine for the material, or did you needle and thread it by hand? 3) Did the spray paint need a topcoat of some sort to seal? My toddler would LOVE THIS! She turns 3 at the end of August. So I’m going to try and find something like this. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      June 19, 2017 at 9:02 pm

      Hi Kendall! I’m so glad you like it! We still have this bench after a few years and it’s holding p very well! Here are the answers: 1) I bought the cushion at Joann Fabric and Crafts, 2) OK, don’t laugh but I hot glued the fabric! I folded it like an envelop or a gift and used hot glue, 3) I actually didn’t spray a top coat, but if I were to I would use a coat of sealant or polyurethane. I hope this helps!!

      Reply

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