DIY Bench Makeover

I found this cute little bench in need of some TLC at a thrift store. It was only $5 and passed the “sit on it” test, so I decided to take it home for a fun DIY Bench Makeover project!

It was dirty looking, had a bunch of nicks on the top, and a little bit wobbly when I sat on it. To fix the wobbly, all I had to do was tighten one of the legs.

For this project, I decided to try chalk paint for the first time. One of the appealing things about chalk paint is that it usually does not require a primer. I invested $10 in some of Rustoleum’s white chalk paint. It took a total of 3 layers to completely cover the black. I did a light fourth coat for good measure. Before painting, I lightly sanded the surface and gave the entire piece a good cleaning to get all of the dirt and sanding debris off.

Next, I added the gold. For this part, I had some gold spray paint on hand. So, I sprayed a little bit of it into the cap, and then painted it on to highlight the pretty flower embellishments. I used a dry brushing technique, putting very little paint on my brush at a time. I painted a more solid line around the edges of the flowers where they meet the white of the bench. The metal leg bottoms also got a fresh layer of gold.

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Finally, I sprayed the entire piece with a clear enamel meant for chalk paint by Rustoleum. It was only $5. I did two coats, to protect the piece. The chalk paint otherwise chips pretty easily.

And there it is! A super easy DIY bench makeover. The chalk paint is easy to work with, and doesn’t smell like some other paints do. I would definitely recommend and can’t wait to try it on my next project for a more shabby chic look!

While you’re here, check out my DIY Kitchen Cart Makeover!