One of the things I have wanted to add to our master bedroom is a bench at the end of our king-size bed. Instead of purchasing a new bench, I decided to repurpose an old coffee table my father built me for my first apartment many years ago into a DIY cushioned bench.
This coffee table has already gone through several transitions, mostly because one of our dogs keeps chewing the corners of it.
Because of a dog, I have recreated this coffee table multiple times.
My dad built this coffee table out of basic 2 x 4s, and it was perfect for my first frugal-inspired apartment. The two matching end tables are used in a spare bedroom in our basement. (A dog also chewed on the corners and repaired them.)
Currently, it has rounded corners and has been painted to try to deter further chewing. Hopefully, by giving it a home in the Master bedroom, it won’t see any further damage. To make it into a bench, the only thing it needed was a soft cushion, and I have just the no-sew DIY project for it!
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To make the new cushion to convert this coffee table into a bench, I used 2″ foam cushion, outdoor fabric, and a straightforward DIY technique that didn’t require any sewing.
The foam cushions came in 22″ x 22″ x 2″ pre-cut sizes, which were slightly too wide for the bench. So I had to measure the bench and cut the cushions to the correct size to fit the top of the bench. This was easy to do with an Xacto knife and my T-Square to keep the cut straight.
After ironing the fabric for a wrinkle-free look, I wrapped the foam cushions in the fabric like a present. I secured the edges with safety pins and used fabric glue to seal the seams.
The glue needed to dry for a couple of hours, so I put books on top of the seams to hold them down and allow a more secure seal.
Since I used outdoor fabric, which tends to be a little more slick, I decided to also add a non-slip treatment to the bottom of the cushion to keep it from sliding off the bench when you sit on it. I found an easy solution in the sewing department at JoAnn’s: Anti-Skid Gripper Fabric for children’s sleepwear.
It was easy to attach this fabric to the bottom of the cushion using safety pins and fabric glue, the same way I wrapped the foam.
Making a DIY cushion for a bench is just that simple, as simple as wrapping a present.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Matthew 6:21
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17 Comments
That is great to be able to reuse something your dad made you! #HomeMattersParty
Great project! I love when people refinish or repurpose something instead of just throwing it out. The anti-skid material is such a smart idea. Thanks for sharing:) #HomeMattersParty
I too have a coffee table made by my Dad for my first place I love it and like your’s it has been through many a makeover I love the idea of the cushion I might try that next Donna as it looks fabulous
A coffee table would be the perfect thing to turn into a bench. What a great idea. That’s hilarious about having to recreate the table so many times because of the dogs! LOL They must love this table, too. #HomeMattersParty
Great job on transforming this into a pretty padded bench! I chuckled at the bit about your dog trying to help you re-style this. I hope with the padded cushion has finally deterred the chewing. I am all for no-sew projects and you gave us a great tutorial on accomplishing this project without bringing out the sewing machine! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
Thanks Chloe. I still have to turn one corner of the bench towards the side of the bed so she doesn’t see where she had started to chew again. Love these dogs but they are a lot of work. Thanks for visiting.
Looks great! The non-skid fabric was a brilliant idea. The piece looks like it’s custom upholstered, but you can easily remove the cushion anytime you want to go back to the original coffee table look. Nice addition at the foot of the bed.
That is great to be able to reuse something your dad made you! #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Emily. I plan to keep this coffee/table bench and pass it on to my kids one day.
Great project! I love when people refinish or repurpose something instead of just throwing it out. The anti-skid material is such a smart idea. Thanks for sharing:) #HomeMattersParty
Thanks Sara.
I too have a coffee table made by my Dad for my first place I love it and like your’s it has been through many a makeover I love the idea of the cushion I might try that next Donna as it looks fabulous
Thanks Amber. In a few years I might change it out again, but will never get rid of it.
Hi Donna. This is such a simple and wonderful project. Perfect project for new home owners. Love the material its really bright and cheerful.
Enjoy your week.
Hi Leanna. Thanks for visiting.
Perfect as a bench. Thanks for sharing at To Grandmas House We Go.
Thanks Stephanie
A coffee table would be the perfect thing to turn into a bench. What a great idea. That’s hilarious about having to recreate the table so many times because of the dogs! LOL They must love this table, too. #HomeMattersParty
Great job on transforming this into a pretty padded bench! I chuckled at the bit about your dog trying to help you re-style this. I hope with the padded cushion has finally deterred the chewing. I am all for no-sew projects and you gave us a great tutorial on accomplishing this project without bringing out the sewing machine! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
Thanks Chloe. I still have to turn one corner of the bench towards the side of the bed so she doesn’t see where she had started to chew again. Love these dogs but they are a lot of work. Thanks for visiting.
Nice makeover and what a nice way to preserve it. Thank you for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope you’re having a great weekend.
Thanks Sandra
Looks great! The non-skid fabric was a brilliant idea. The piece looks like it’s custom upholstered, but you can easily remove the cushion anytime you want to go back to the original coffee table look. Nice addition at the foot of the bed.
Thanks Mimi. You never know where I might put this coffee table next.