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From Coffee Table to Chic Bench: An Upholstery Transformation

Turn Your Trash into Treasure: A DIY Upholstered Bench Project

Do you have an old, beat-up coffee table with a stained or scratched top collecting dust? Don’t throw it away! Instead, transform it into a beautiful and functional upholstered bench. This DIY project is a fantastic way to breathe new life into old furniture and create a unique piece for your hallway, bedroom, or living room. Imagine a soft, inviting upholstered bench adding a touch of elegance to your home decor.

Elegant flower printed table cloth on the finished upholstered bench

This guide will walk you through each step of the process, from finding the perfect table to adding the finishing touches. We’ll show you how to turn a simple pine bench, perhaps a thrift store find, into a stunning upholstered ottoman that will be the envy of your friends and family. Let’s get started!

Finding the Perfect Table: Your Foundation for Success

The key to a successful upholstered bench project is starting with the right foundation – the table itself. Look for a sturdy coffee table with a solid frame. The shape and size are less critical, as you can adapt the upholstery to fit. Thrift stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces are excellent places to hunt for affordable options. Don’t worry too much about cosmetic imperfections, as you’ll be covering the top and refinishing the legs. Focus on the structural integrity of the table.

An old wooden desk with a seam, the 'Ugly Goblin,' ready for transformation.

Remember, you’re not just buying a table; you’re investing in a project. Choose a table that inspires you and fits your vision for the finished bench. With a little creativity and elbow grease, even the most unpromising table can be transformed into a stunning piece of furniture.

Gathering Your Supplies: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials and tools. Having everything on hand will streamline the process and prevent frustrating interruptions. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need:

Materials:

  • Ugly Table: Your starting point, ready for a makeover.
  • Sandpaper: For smoothing rough surfaces and preparing the legs for painting.
  • Primer: Ensures the paint adheres properly to the table legs.
  • Paint: Choose a color that complements your fabric and home decor.
  • Paintbrush: For applying primer and paint.
  • Dacron or Cotton Batting: Adds a layer of softness and fullness under the fabric.
  • 3″ Foam: Provides cushioning and comfort for the bench seat. Fabric stores can cut this to size for you.
  • Fabric: Select a durable and stylish fabric that suits your taste. Consider upholstery-grade fabric for longevity.
  • Button Forms: For creating covered buttons to add a decorative touch.
  • Upholstery Twine or String: Used to attach the covered buttons securely.

Tools:

  • Cordless Drill: For creating pilot holes for the buttons.
  • Electric Knife with Silicone Spray: Makes cutting the foam easier and cleaner. The silicone spray helps the blade glide smoothly.
  • Spray Adhesive: To adhere the foam to the table top.
  • Scissors: For cutting fabric and batting.
  • Long Needle: Essential for threading the twine through the foam and attaching the buttons. Look for upholstery needles at fabric stores.
  • Staple Gun: An upholstery staple gun connected to an air compressor is ideal for securing the fabric. A manual staple gun can be used, but it requires more effort.
  • Staples: For the staple gun. Choose staples appropriate for upholstery.
  • Crescent or Standard Pliers: For removing stubborn staples.
  • Flat Head Screwdriver: Also for staple removal.

Don’t Forget!

  • BAND-AIDS: Accidents happen! It’s always good to be prepared.

Step-by-Step Guide: Transforming Your Table into a Bench

Now that you have your supplies, let’s dive into the transformation process. Follow these steps carefully to create your own stunning upholstered bench.

Step 1: Preparing the Table Legs

Begin by lightly sanding the table legs to create a smooth surface for the primer. Apply a coat of primer and let it dry completely. Then, paint the legs with your chosen color and allow them to dry thoroughly. This step sets the stage for a polished and professional-looking finished product.

A wooden table painted white, ready for the next stage of the transformation.

Before moving on, measure and mark the desired locations for your covered buttons. Use the cordless drill to create pilot holes at these marks. These holes will guide the needle when attaching the buttons later.

Step 2: Cutting and Attaching the Foam

Place the foam on your work surface and position the coffee table upside down on top of it. Measure and mark the foam, allowing for a 1/2″ overhang on all sides. Use a yardstick to draw straight cutting lines.

Using the electric knife, carefully cut the foam along the marked lines. Maintain a right angle to the foam to ensure a clean, even cut. Spray the knife blades with silicone spray if they start to drag.

Applying adhesive to the foam before attaching it to the coffee table.

Spray one side of the cut foam with spray adhesive and center it on top of the coffee table. Press firmly to ensure a secure bond.

Step 3: Preparing for the Buttons

Take the long needle and poke it up through the pre-drilled holes in the table top, marking the corresponding locations on the foam. Cut or pinch out a small amount of foam at each marking to create recesses for the buttons.

The foam cushion is securely attached to the top of the bench.

Step 4: Adding the Batting

Cut a piece of dacron batting large enough to cover the foam with a 3-inch overhang on all sides. This extra batting will provide a soft, rounded edge to the finished bench.

The white dacron batting is being carefully secured to the table.

Step 5: Stapling the Batting

Starting at the center of one long side, begin stapling the dacron batting in place. Pull the batting down, diagonally, and back in towards the edge. Stop stapling about 3 inches from the corner. Repeat this process on the opposite side, then move to the short sides.

The batting is neatly stapled, preparing the bench for the fabric.

Step 6: Creating Neat Corners

Finish the corners by folding them like you’re folding a crisp, flat sheet corner. Fold the batting, tuck it under, pull it taut, and staple it securely. Repeat this for the remaining corners. This technique creates a clean and professional-looking finish.

Close-up of the neatly folded and stapled corners of the bench.

Step 7: Cutting the Fabric

Lay your chosen fabric over the top of the bench, centering the design if necessary. Allow for an extra 5 inches of fabric on all sides for pulling and stapling. Mark the fabric and cut off the excess all around.

The fabric is carefully draped over the bench, ready for stapling.

Step 8: Stapling the Fabric

Repeat steps 5 and 6 with the fabric, always pulling snugly and diagonally down and in towards the edge so you can set staples uniformly on the underside of the wood top. Work carefully to get the corners nice and snug. If you need to re-do a section, use the screwdriver and pliers to pull out the staples, always pushing the screwdriver AWAY from your other hand for safety.

The fabric is being meticulously stapled to the bench frame.
Another angle showing the fabric being stapled securely.

Step 9: Marking Button Placement

Poke the long needle up through the bottom of the table and mark the fabric where the buttons will be placed.

Marking the fabric for precise button placement.

Step 10: Making Covered Buttons

Make covered buttons from your scrap fabric using button forms. For a more polished look, pay attention to the fabric pattern at the button marks so that the buttons match the pattern.

Close-up of the covered buttons, adding a touch of elegance to the bench.

Step 11: Preparing the Buttons for Attachment

Cut 14-18 inch pieces of upholstery twine or string. Fold each piece in half, poke the loop of twine through the eye of the button, and thread the two loose ends through the twine loop. Pull snugly. The buttons are now ready to be threaded down through the bench top.

Preparing the covered buttons with twine for attachment.

Step 12: Attaching the Buttons

This is the finale! Take the needle and poke it up through the hole in the bottom of the bench, eye side first. Thread the twine through the eye and pull it down through the bench foam and wood. With the stapler and some dexterity, pull the twine tight to get the button pulled down into the foam. Use your other hand to maneuver the stapler so you can “catch” the twine and give it a few staples. You may have to make a few adjustments to get the buttons tight enough and uniform. For security, fold the twine back over itself and staple again.

Attaching the covered buttons, securing them with staples.
The finished upholstered bench, showcasing the beautiful fabric and covered buttons.

Enjoy Your New Upholstered Bench!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully transformed an old coffee table into a stylish and functional upholstered bench. Step back and admire your handiwork. This unique piece will add character and charm to any room in your home.

If you were to do it again, perhaps you’d select a table with a more decorative base. But for now, enjoy the simple elegance and snazzy fabric of your creation.

What will your next DIY project be? Get creative and keep upcycling!