How to Make a Bed Bench Using a Coffee Table

A bed bench makes a convenient addition to any bedroom, providing a place for sitting, storage, and stacking things. It is not difficult to create such a bench from an old coffee table, which can be inexpensive and easy to find at a thrift store or garage sale. Repurposing a coffee table which has seen better days into a bed bench makes an easy and productive project, as well as a useful addition to your bedroom. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Find an old wooden coffee table--whether online, at a garage sale, in a thrift store or your attic--built to the dimensions you need. Dimensions will vary based on the size of your bed and how much flat surface you would like your bench to have. The coffee table should be shorter than the bed, and, if you want to be able to sit on the bench, not so deep that it's uncomfortable to sit upon. The coffee table should also be sturdy.

2

Refinish the coffee table. First, remove the legs if you can, then sand the entire coffee table. If you would like to keep the wood look of the coffee table, you may stain and varnish it. Or, you may choose to paint it a color to coordinate with the fabric you are going to use to cover the bench.

3

Place the foam pad on top of the coffee table top, making sure the dimensions are the same. Attach it using glue or hook and loop strips.

4

Wrap the foam pad and table top with the fabric. Roll the edges of the fabric under, creating a clean edge. Attach the fabric to the bottom of the coffee table, using the staple gun. Complete opposite sides of the table to make sure the fabric attaches evenly and smoothly; then staple the two other sides.

5

Replace the legs on the coffee table, making sure you attach them securely.

6

Attach any desired decorative items--braid, ric-rac, buttons, trim--to your new bed bench.