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.
Here is the little bench BEFORE. Cute, right? I’m unsure if there used to be another part to it or not.
There is even a little drawer for toy or book storage.
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.
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.
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.
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!
It turned out so cute, and now my daughter’s reading nook in her bedroom is complete!
Here are a couple more photos!
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Before you go, check out another fun upcycled furnitutre project from my YouTube channel! Get all the details here.
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This article was improved and updated from November 2014.
Turned out super cute! Love that shade of blue!
Thank you so much, Kristi!
That is so adorable.
Thank you, Susie! Love the final color choice after so much reconsideration.
Love it, Dinah! The paint color is perfect and that fabric is so fun. I’m sure your daughter just loves it. Nice work!
Thank you so much, Sarah! She does!
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.
Oooooh!!!! I was wondering what the ridge was for. That makes sense. Thank you!!
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.
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. 🙁
Dinah I’m featuring your adorable reading bench/nook at the DIY Sunday Showcase Party this weekend.
Awesome, Marie!! Thank you SOO much!
This turned out so pretty! What a transformation. I think the fabric choice goes perfectly wiht the blue paint too 🙂
So cute! What a cozy little place to read.
This is so cute! I love the color combination.
Thank you, Jennifer!
This turned out soooo cute! My daughter would love something like this!
Thank you, Gilly!!
Cuuuuuuuttte!!! Love your blog!
Thank you so much Mandie!
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!!
Thank you so much, Angie!
Just a fabulous project. I love the reading nook for the children. Stopping by from Wake Up Wednesday.
Thanks for stopping by, Shirley!
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
This is so adorable, goes really well in her room and I love the colour 🙂
Thanks so much!
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!
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!
Oh how I love this! It is adorable. Thanks for inspiring!! Nikki
Thank you, Nikki!
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!
Thank you so much, Rebekah!
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! 🙂
Thank you SO much, Sheena! I’m sure you could do it too! 🙂
I love this so much!! Great job!
Thank you, Diana!
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.
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!
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!!