Tutorial ~ Diy Upholstered Bench

Oh my goodness, I never thought I would make it here!  It has been a crazy week, but we’ll talk about that later.  First let’s talk benches, have you priced one lately?  I have, and they’re not cheap!  Good thing they are easy to make.  I had one on my list for Eleni’s room, and I wanted it small enough for her to use without having to climb to get to the seat.  It seems the poor thing has to climb to get into every other seat in the house, and her room is one place that should be on her level.  Perfect for putting on shoes and looking cute at the end of her bed, or wherever else she decides. :)

How To Make A Kids Bench

Supplies:

• 7 inch wide board.  Commonly used for shelving.  Cut it to desired length, you can even have them cut it at the hardware store to make things easy.
• four 7 to 9 inch bench legs.  You will find them by the table legs.  I spray painted mine white.
• insert nuts that match the threading on the leg screws, these are in the specialty hardware section.
• drill with bits that the insert nut packaging calls for.
• batting or upholstery foam
• hot glue
• fabric
• staple gun

Directions:

I had a bunch of shelving board laying around my house that I used for this project, so it was already painted white.  You can buy the board that has been primed and call it good.  First thing you want to do is install the insert nuts.  On the packaging they will tell you the size of drill bit you will need to drill the hole.  Measure and mark on all four corners where you will be drilling.  I went in 1 1/2 inches but if I had a chance I would only do about an inch to have the legs closer to the corners.  Drill the holes and then according to the insert nut packaging you will either hammer in the nut, or use a hex screwdriver.

Next prep and cut the batting or foam.  I used batting, folding it a few times to the thickness I wanted.  Then cut to the exact size.  I also cut a piece that was slightly larger to fold over the edge with the fabric, just to soften the edges.

Cover the board with hot glue and put the batting on top.

Now cut the fabric down to size.  I just made sure I had about four inches on all sides.  After you have it cut, fold over each side a half inch and press, then again two more times.

Now lay the fabric face side down, then the larger single piece of batting, and then the board batting side down.  Fold the fabric over at the center and staple.  then repeat in the other side.  You can move to the ends, but I went ahead and secured the longer sides first.

For the corners I just worked with them until I had them looking the way I wanted and stapled.  I did cut out some excess batting and fabric on the corners, just to remove some bulk.

Now just thread the legs into the insert nuts, and you are all finished!  Now I have to tell you a funny story.  Eleni watched me every step of the way while making this and knew it was for her.  When I was finished I took it into the kitchen to get a picture.

This is the first shot I took and the shutter speed was off so while adjusting…

She grabbed it as if to say I’ll take that, thank you, and off to her bedroom she went.  The phone rang and kept me busy for a bit, and then I found her like this…

Too cute, and just her size.  She loves her bench, really, I had no idea she would like it so much!  When my husband came home she pulled him in to see it, and said “Momma may dat for Leni!”.  Made my day.

I decided she was right, it looks perfect at the foot of her bed.  It looks great against the new color in the room, just wait until you see it!

You can find all the posts for Eleni’s room here, including the room, inspiration piece, new paint and sewing tutorials.  Speaking of paint, I have had a few emails asking for the color, I ended up going with Valley Mist by Behr.  When I get home I will get some more pictures of the color.

Now, the crazy week.

I am going to be on live television…tomorrow, sheesh!  I was contacted by Good Things Utah to do a little segment and it was one of those look behind your shoulder “who, me?” moments.  I am so excited, and so so nervous.  I waited to say anything because I have tried not to think about it too much!  I am just about ready, except I just looked at my hands and realized they are not looking so hot, one more thing. :)  Wish me luck!

Tagged as: diy for the home, Eleni's room