We just finished shooting our pilot for HGTV this past weekend! It was a lot of work but it was so much fun 🙂 We can’t wait for you all to see it and we will let you know when it will air, as soon as we find out!

I was able to sneak in some time to build this cutie for our master bedroom though!

diy-bench-coffee-table

Is it a coffee table or a bench? It could really be whichever you need/like or both 🙂 Would you believe it only cost $25 in lumber? I bought this couch to sit in front of our bay windows and I love the way it fits however, it was driving me CRAZY not to have a coffee table to put my coffee cup or a cute vase with flowers on! I didn’t want to cramp the room with a full size coffee table so I came up with this solution and I AM IN LOVE with it 🙂 It’s just what this space needed!

As always, we have the FREE Printable Plans for you, as well as a full step-by-step tutorial for you to follow along with. You an click the image below or HERE to print the plans.

print-for-bench-plans

 

A big thanks to our friend Jay, from Jay’s Custom Creations for creating the printable plans! Check out his site for more free DIY plans!

make-cuts

cuts

I started by making all of my cuts (minus the feet) first!

draw-shape-to-cut

Then, I marked the places to cut-in on one of the side pieces.

marks-for-jigsaw

My marks 🙂

make-cuts-with-jigsaw

I used my jigsaw to cut along those lines.

sand-cuts

After I cut the first side piece with the jigsaw, I used my corner cat sander to smooth the edges.

trace-side

Then, I used that piece to trace the other side. This way they will look the same 😉

sides-pieces

Easy enough!

drill-pocket-holes-in-sides

I then drilled pocket holes into one end of both of the side pieces.

pocket-holes-in-sides

They should look like this now. (You will drill the pocket holes into the 2×4’s at this point too).

attach-apron-to-sides

Next, I attached the 2×4 pieces to one of the side pieces with pocket hole screws and wood glue.

sides-and-apron

Then, attach the other side piece the same way.

attach-top-of-bench

I attached the top of the bench to the base with pocket hole screws and wood glue, too.

attach-stretcher

Then, the stretcher.

cut-angles-on-feet

I cut the angles on the feet with my miter saw set at 45 degrees and attached them to the bench with brad nails and wood glue.

ready-for-finish

Now it’s ready for the finish!

stain-coat

I applied one coat of Varathane Dark Walnut. Just wipe it on with a clean cloth, wait about 5 minutes, then wipe it down with a separate clean cloth to blend the stain.

chalk-paint

When the stain was dry, I brushed on one coat of Rust-Oleum Chalked paint in Linen White. This will not look pretty, you will see the stain underneath but that is OK!

sand-paper

When the paint dries just rub an 80-grit piece of sand paper all over. I went with the grain.

Varathane Triple Thick

After sanding all over, I wiped it down with a damp cloth and applied one coat of Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane all over.

DIY-Bench

And, that was IT!

diy-bench-coffee-table

DIY-farmhouse-bench

DIY-coffee-table-bench

Such an easy and inexpensive project and I’m LOVING this finish technique! I’ve got an itch to paint all of the furniture in my house like this…. oops 🙂

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Ashley

Sources for other items in the space:

Couch – World Market

Vase – World Market

Pillows – Hobby Lobby and Target

Curtains – Pottery Barn

Curtain Rods – Home Depot

Check out this video to build this DIY Rolling Storage Coffee Table!

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26 Comments

  1. I just made this bench. It came out great. You will need to add 2 pocket holes not listed in the plans to the stretcher on each end so it attaches to the legs.

  2. Hi! I noticed the plans show 2×3’s, but in your tutorial you mention attaching 2×4’s. Did you use 2×3’s or 2×4’s for the side pieces? Beautiful by the way! I really love it! ~Janice

  3. Is the “stretcher” necessary? Like so the legs don’t flair out? I’m looking to make a bench with space for storage baskets under. Maybe a middle leg? Looks great!

  4. I can’t tell you girls how close to my heart this one is! Our coffee table in my college apartment was a bench we found on the side of the road! Our apartment was so small, that is all that would fit! Love it! xoxo

  5. What type of cloth did you use for the stain? Any recommendations on the type of brush for the chalk paint

  6. Love the bench! Exactly what I’ve been looking for. If I widen the feet and adjust dimensions, do you think it would work as a dining table? I need a narrow table for a porch.

  7. I was wondering how stable this is? It seems like it my be tipsy. I adore it and planing making it. Also how does the chalked paint compare to others? Any feed back on that? Thx again for all your creativity!

    1. The feet are only as wide as the top so it could tip. I like the look of it and it is sturdy for where I need it. If you need more stability just widen the feet 🙂

  8. I’m considering making this taller for an entry way table. Do you think it would still be stable if I doubled the height?

  9. LOVE LOVE LOVE! Where did you purchase the chalk paint? I have not see it at the big box stores they we frequent regularly. 🙂

      1. Thank you! I will share what I am making with the finish when I am done, I think you will approve 🙂

        1. I have a kitchen table that I would like to refinish like this. Do you suggest sanding the existing finish first?