You may have seen the before-and-after bench photos in our recent column for R. Home magazine. Here we walk through the full transformation of a cheap, rickety bench using paint, new fabric and a bit of elbow grease. This $7 find from a favorite local thrift store looked rough, but its solid lines and simple upholstered seat meant it was an ideal candidate for a makeover:
First, we took the seat off and tightened the interior bolts. That alone fixed most of the wobble. The next step was gentle sanding with 100-grit paper to remove the old finish and get down to bare wood; older pieces often sand more easily, which speeds things up. Sanding not only smooths the surface but helps paint adhere better, so it’s worth the effort.
Because we planned a light celery green finish, we applied a thin coat of white oil-based primer to block old stains and sap marks from showing through. Once the primer dried we brushed on two thin coats of semi-gloss latex paint in a soft celery hue (Lunar Tide by Valspar). For furniture with spindles and narrow legs, a quality brush usually gives a smoother, more controlled finish than a roller, and it’s far less messy than a sprayer. The trick is thin, even coats — two light layers beat one heavy, drippy coat every time.
While the paint cured for at least 24 hours, we tackled the seat. We bought half a yard of green-and-cream lattice fabric from William’s & Sherrill for about $12 and used it to give the cushion a fresh, elevated look. Pattern placement matters: before stapling, lay the fabric over the cushion and adjust until the pattern is centered and straight. Add a few extra inches around the edges so you can shift the fabric while checking alignment from the front.
To start stapling, pull the fabric taut and attach a staple at 12 o’clock, then at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. This keeps the pattern centered and prevents the fabric from rotating as you work. We layered the new fabric over the existing cover because the cushion batting underneath was still plush and in good condition — removing the old covering risks damaging that padding.
After anchoring the middle of each side, run staples around the perimeter, spacing them evenly. The back will look neat quickly, and the whole process moves fast once you’ve secured the primary points. Corners take a little more patience: fold them like wrapping a present, checking the front for a clean appearance. Most corners require at least two darts and a couple of staples; take it slow so the folds lie flat and symmetrical.
If a corner or section doesn’t look right, you can remove a staple with a flat-head screwdriver and redo it — that flexibility makes it easy to achieve a polished result. The finished bench looks cohesive and refined, far from its original thrift-store appearance.
Once the bench was reassembled, the transformation was complete. It went from overlooked to eye-catching — a small investment in time and materials produced a piece that looks custom-made and timeless.
Here’s a top view showing how we centered the fabric both left-to-right and top-to-bottom before stapling. Note the center line down the middle and how the pattern sits evenly a half-inch from each edge. Those small details elevate the final look and make the bench appear professionally finished, not like a hurried weekend project.
If you can paint a wall and wrap a present, you already have the skills needed to refinish a bench. It’s straightforward, satisfying work, and the payoff is big: every compliment from a guest is a reminder that a little creativity goes a long way. Total cost for this project — bench, fabric and paint — was about $30, which makes the result even sweeter.
Give it a try and share your results — rescuing a thrift-store bench is an easy, rewarding project that adds personality and value to your home.
Looking for more tutorials? See our project gallery for step-by-step guides on everything from cabinet painting to headboard making.