I was shopping at a local architectural salvage shop and found some beautiful wooden legs. I decided to save them for this upholstered bench project! I picked out some fun fabric to match the coastal theme of our master bedroom, then got to work! Check out these 7 steps on how to make an upholstered bench 🙂
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TOOLS / MATERIALS
| Miter Saw or Circle Saw |
| Tape Measure |
| Kreg Jig w/ drill bit |
| 1 1/4″ Pocket screws |
| Cordless Drill |
| Hand Sander |
| Sanding Paper |
| Wood Glue |
| Scissors |
| Stain (Varathane Natural) |
| Oil-based Polyurethane |
| Staining & Poly Brush |
| Hand Stapler |
| 3/8″ Staples (heavy duty) |
| Spray adhesive |
| 2″ Upholstery Foam |
| Crib size batting (45″ x 60″) |
| Fabric |
LUMBER LIST
| (#) | DIMENSION |
| (2) | 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 6′ Poplar Trim (Frame pieces) |
| (1) | 1/2″ x 2′ x 4′ Project Panel Plywood (Bench seat) |
| (4) | Legs (3″ x 3″) (Can find similar @ Home Depot) |
CUT LIST
| (#) | WOOD | LENGTH |
| (2) | 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ | @ 42″ (Long Frame Pieces) |
| (2) | 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ | @ 10″ (Short Frame Pieces) |
| (1) | 1/2″ x 2′ x 4′ | @ 48″ x 16″ (Bench seat) |
COST EST: $60 (I DID MY SHOPPING AT JOANN FOR THE FABRIC, BATTING AND FOAM WHEN THEY WERE HAVING A 40% OFF SALE!!)
TIME EST: HALF DAY PROJECT
STEP 1: CUT MATERIALS
See cut list above. I went to Home Depot and they will cut all of the boards and plywood for you if you have the dimensions ready!! The legs I bought at an architectural salvage shop but you can find similar ones online or at Home Depot!
***The dimensions above are for a 48″ x 16″ bench
STEP 2: Drill pocket holes & sand base
Drill pocket holes in each of the support pieces. You should drill 2 pocket holes in each end and 2-3 pocket holes along the top of each framing piece.
Drilling pocket holes along the top will allow you to screw the frame pieces into the upholstered bench seat. See pictures below. If using a kreg jig, set it to 3/4″ depth.
Sand all the base trim pieces and legs. I used my hand sander for the frame pieces and a sanding block for the legs.
STEP 3: Assemble base
After you drill the pocket holes and sand every surface, lay out the 4 frame pieces and screw these pieces into the legs using 1 1/4″ pocket screws. Set the base next to the wall so you can securely screw everything together
STEP 4: STAIN OR PAINT BASE!
I used a natural stain for the frame pieces and legs as well as a satin polyurethane.
STEP 5: SECURE 2″ FOAM TO PLYWOOD
Cut the foam using scissors so that it fits on the 48″ x 16″ plywood. Use spray adhesive to secure the foam to the wood.
STEP 6: STAPLE BATTING & fabric
Lay out the batting so it’s nice and flat on the ground. Cut each of the corners like the picture shown below, fold the batting over and staple to the back of the plywood making sure that it’s nice and tight. Cut off the extra batting.
Just like the batting, lay out the fabric so it’s nice and flat on the ground. Make sure there are no wrinkles!!
Cut the corners like the picture below. Start stapling the fabric onto the plywood on one side then move to the opposite side.
***Be sure to pull the fabric as tight as you can and staple every inch or so.
STEP 7: ATTACH UPHOLSTERED TOP
After the base is completely dry, attach the upholstered top to your base by using the predrilled pocket holes. Flip the entire bench over and drill into the plywood top using 1 1/2″ screws.
