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Home » outdoor projects » Spring Project: Make a Bench out of an old Crib

outdoor projects, painting projects, spring project · May 25, 2010

Spring Project: Make a Bench out of an old Crib

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Have you seen those cute headboard benches? I have been wanting to make one for awhile now. The other day I went to lunch with a couple blogging friends — Tausha from Sassy Style and Shelley from House of Smiths.
{I stole this off of Shelley’s blog }
So much fun! Afterward we hit a cute thrift store and then the salvage yard!
Sitting right in front was this antique crib front. I thought it would make a great oversized chair to go on my porch!
{Shelley – from House of Smiths}
This is what I did to make my new oversized chair/bench:
1. I started off with my peeling, dirty old crib front. I washed it down and sanded the whole thing.
2. Then I measured the width of the crib — 30 inches. I cut two long boards from Home Depot to that length. I decided to make the width of the bench 18 inches so it’s pretty deep. You can make a bench anywhere from 16 to 20 inches — depending on how you want it to look. Then I cut the two sideboards 17 inches in length (you’ll see why in a minute).
I added some Gorilla Glue Wood Glue to the edges that touched and then screwed them together.
3. Then I cut the boards for the top of the seat. I cut them 18 inches in length so that there would be a 1-inch hang over on the front of the seat. I also used wood glue on the underside of the boards before I hammered them onto the frame.
4. For the legs of the bench, I bought two sturdy chair legs from Home Depot. They have an end that has a screw on it. Then I bought some metal leg attachers — the leg screws right into the metal piece. I added an extra block of wood underneath to add more stability. Then I screwed that attachment into the bottom of the seat at the front two corners. The other legs of the bench are the back of the crib. I also used Gorilla Wood Glue between the boards.
5. I found some cute moulding to put on the back of the bench to add a little more interest. And I bought some rope moulding for the bottom of the seat apron. Then I attached the seat to the crib using L-brackets I also found at Home Depot.
6. Then I primed the bench using spray-on wood primer.
7. After the primer had dried overnight, I was ready to paint! DecoArt sent me some patio paint to try. It can be used on concrete, wood or metal and is great for things that are going to be exposed to the elements. I used the “Wrought Iron Black” color. To apply it I used a big bristle brush that could get in all the nooks and crannies. I put two coats on the bench and let it dry.
8. Then to accent the wood details on the moulding, I decided to use a glaze over the top. I took some “Dark Eucalyptus Green” DecoArt Patio Paint — which is really more of a pretty teal color. I put about 2 ounces in a plastic cup and mixed it with water-based glaze from Home Depot. Then I brush that combination on the bench and iped it back off with a rag.
My assistant helped me with this stage — she did a great job!
I think I’m going to look for another old crib and make a matching one for the other side of the porch!
It was my first big foray into the world of power tools.
 XOXO
www.tatertotsandjello.com

Posted By: Jen · In: outdoor projects, painting projects, spring project

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Comments

  1. Stan plytynski says

    February 10, 2013 at 11:51 AM

    Did you just paint the seat and back molding with the teal color . What is the proportion of paint to glaze .

  2. kimberly says

    March 7, 2012 at 7:52 AM

    How exactly did you attach the seat frame to the crib piece? My crib is exactly like this one.

  3. Miss Thang says

    October 11, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Love this! thanks for sharing..

  4. Mrs Lemon says

    April 24, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    ::singsong voice:: AWESOME!!!!

    I have a crib just like that sitting out in my garage waiting for Sunday night to set out in the trash. Not any more after this post!

    It's a family crib – my husband's step-mom bought it for her first daughter (28 yrs ago), used it 8 years later for the second daughter, and then 4 years ago her oldest's baby slept in it. Last winter my baby slept in it – and it's done for now as it is a safety hazard.

    But I totally can see a set of 1 long bench and two short benches made from it 🙂

  5. Holly Kennedy says

    April 3, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    What a fantastic idea! Very clever, and it turned out lovely!

  6. lydia says

    October 2, 2010 at 7:56 AM

    I can't wait until my baby grows out of his! It'll make a nice, useful keepsake. Thank you!

  7. the firefly moon says

    July 29, 2010 at 6:05 PM

    i love this idea. i was just looking at a crib that my dad (who passed away) & husband made for my daughter, & both of my sweet kiddos slept in… wondering what i should do with it. huh… maybe this is it. each of them can have one. we shall see.

  8. BLJ Graves Studio says

    May 27, 2010 at 8:38 PM

    I love how this turned out. Fabulous!

  9. Stephanie Cameron says

    May 27, 2010 at 7:03 AM

    Thanks for the detailed tutorial. I have wanted to try this…but couldn't really wrap my head about what steps would be necessary. Thanks!!

  10. Karey Ellen says

    May 27, 2010 at 1:31 AM

    Really Great Job! So, creative, I love it!

    xoxo,
    KareyEllen

    KareyEllenDesigns.blogspot.com

  11. Holly says

    May 26, 2010 at 10:56 PM

    CUTE Jen! I just picked up an old iron bed…for free…to make a bench out of. We had an auction at our school and the shop teachers made all sorts of cool items. Love it.

  12. Michelle says

    May 26, 2010 at 10:12 PM

    Adorable! You have such great ideas!

  13. Melissa says

    May 26, 2010 at 9:32 PM

    It looks fabulous, you did a great job!!

  14. Pamela says

    May 26, 2010 at 8:41 PM

    Love it! You always have the neatest ideas.

  15. Nora says

    May 26, 2010 at 7:04 PM

    Oooooh, this rates a "ME LIKEY!" *LOL* You did a great job & one of these days maybe I'll bump into ya down there at George's!
    Thanks for sharing.
    ♥hugs♥

  16. Christine says

    May 26, 2010 at 7:00 PM

    I love this so much! My daughter is just about finished with her crib and I've thought about doing something like this to keep the crib in our home somehow, but repurposed.

  17. Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says

    May 26, 2010 at 6:29 PM

    Great job, and you made it look so easy and do-able!! Thanks for the great idea!

  18. Kimberly says

    May 26, 2010 at 5:23 PM

    That is so cool! I know my family has a few spare parts of cribs here and there. Wonder if I could talk them into letting me use one for a similar project! Thanks for sharing!

  19. Vivienne says

    May 26, 2010 at 5:00 PM

    I am not sure which is more adorable: the bench or your assistant…

  20. Mom2Ian says

    May 26, 2010 at 4:42 PM

    This is so darn cute I can't stand it. I can actually do this.

  21. Cassie says

    May 26, 2010 at 3:53 PM

    How amazing is this!!!
    I want to go right now and make one!!!
    =)

  22. Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys says

    May 26, 2010 at 2:33 PM

    I love it!! Were you able to paint the entire bench with one bottle? I wonder how it holds up against the elements?

  23. Andrea says

    May 26, 2010 at 2:00 PM

    I like it!! My youngest and last will be out of her crib pretty soon and it's the same style as what you used in your bench! I think I just might be making one of those myself! 🙂

  24. Jingle says

    May 26, 2010 at 1:31 PM

    This looks fantastic! You did a great job!!!

  25. vanessa @ silly eagle books says

    May 26, 2010 at 1:13 PM

    Such a beautiful and resourceful idea!

  26. Lacy Key says

    May 26, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    All I can say is WOW! you have a real gift of turning trash into a one of a kind treasure! Keep up the good work!

  27. Kelli says

    May 26, 2010 at 12:05 PM

    Jen, question, Which Gorilla glue did you use? Regular or wood glue? I ask because my recent foray with gorilla wood glue went really really poorly, it wouldn't stick to anything! I had to take my entire project apart and reuse Elmers wood glue instead.

    Thanks!
    ~Kelli @ Smidgens

  28. Tiffany says

    May 26, 2010 at 11:41 AM

    Amazing transformation! I love it!

  29. Marie says

    May 26, 2010 at 8:06 AM

    Wow Jen, I am seriously impressed!!! That's beautiful!! xxoo

  30. Marylin says

    May 26, 2010 at 7:24 AM

    So GREAT! LOVE THIS!!! Thanks for the inspiration!! I love a good reason to make something new again!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE

  31. Kirsten says

    May 26, 2010 at 7:00 AM

    I love this crib-to-bench idea! I think I will be keeping an out out now for an old crib headboard!

  32. Diane {createdbydiane.blogspot.com} says

    May 26, 2010 at 6:20 AM

    What a great bench. I can't wait to see the other re-do's you have planned!

  33. Kami says

    May 26, 2010 at 5:55 AM

    That is awesome, Jen! I love what you did! I also love the turquoise on it too!

  34. Melissa Miller says

    May 26, 2010 at 5:35 AM

    Jen what a terrific idea for a bench! It turned out beautiful. Love it painted black. Your sweet assistant is sure a pretty girl. *Smiles*

    Thanks for your kind words on my finger injury. I *almost* got stitches for the first time in my life. Who knew plastic pots could be so dangerous huh? Yikes! I'm sorry about yours as well. It really is hard to function with a cut finger. I'm still waiting for this wound to close up. Sigh.

    Blessings to you this week.
    ~Melissa 🙂

  35. House of Smith's says

    May 26, 2010 at 5:13 AM

    OH-MY-GOSH! This is AMAZING!
    SO SO SO much better than I imagined it could be!
    NICE WORK, GIRL!
    You have some SERIOUS skills…
    But we all knew that ! 🙂

    Let's do it again (shopping)… This time, on the SOUTH SIDE!

    Yay…I can't wait!
    Shelley

  36. shortmama says

    May 26, 2010 at 4:48 AM

    Im so glad you did this tutorial! I mentioned doing one of these to the hubs for our please remove your shoes policy in our house and this tutorial is perfect to help us do it!

  37. Kenzie says

    May 26, 2010 at 4:45 AM

    Aren't power tools so much fun? I can finally use everything in my Uncle's shop without his supervision(he finally trusts me)! The bench is gorgeous! I love the colors!

  38. Infarrantly Creative says

    May 26, 2010 at 4:44 AM

    Welcome to the big girl world of power tools. You go girl! Love the turq glaze. Yum!

  39. Stephanie Lynn says

    May 26, 2010 at 4:22 AM

    Jen, This is amazing! I am just in love with this! {Go Jen with the powertools!} Adorable! The finishing technique is gorgeous – the aqua glaze simply beautiful. I have to say I am a little jealous of your shopping trip with two other fabulous bloggers – that is really cool! Fantastic Job!!!

  40. Honey Lamb and I says

    May 26, 2010 at 4:16 AM

    I love the recycling crafters!!! What an amazing idea!!! ~Shelley

  41. Denissa says

    May 26, 2010 at 3:44 AM

    I LOVE it!! I think that may need to be on my summer project list 🙂 I've been having a hard time w/ getting rid of our crib so this would be an awesome way to preserve the memory!!
    Thanks Jen! 🙂
    xoxo

  42. Michelle M. says

    May 26, 2010 at 3:27 AM

    Adorable! I absolutely love it!

  43. Amy W says

    May 26, 2010 at 2:41 AM

    Love this! You make it look so easy! It's all the details that make it so special – the molding and the glaze add a professional touch. Great job!

  44. Pulham Clan says

    May 26, 2010 at 2:39 AM

    So awesome! I love it! I might have to do this when my baby out grows her crib!

  45. Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely says

    May 26, 2010 at 2:23 AM

    Eeeeek!!! Love the molding!! Fantastic job. The teal glaze was also a stroke of genius! 🙂

  46. Sarah says

    May 26, 2010 at 1:33 AM

    Beautiful, Jen. I'm so glad you posted this! I've been wanting to make a bench but I'm having a hard time finding a twin headboard to use…so maybe I'll use a crib instead. GREAT idea!

  47. Love Stitched says

    May 26, 2010 at 1:31 AM

    So fun…I love Shelley (even though I have never MET her in person I love our emails and comments back and forth) 😉 LOL

    Your crib bench is too cute!! I love how it turned out! YOU ARE SO CREATIVE!

  48. Jen says

    May 26, 2010 at 1:26 AM

    Oh that's lovely! Although in don't know that I'm ready to chop up my crib yet – maybe in a few (or 30!) years 🙂 it looks so great though!

  49. Ruby Red Slippers says

    May 26, 2010 at 1:12 AM

    LOVE THIS, Jen!!!
    Maybe I should just take apart my son's old crib and do this…
    I am impressed with your power tool usage-that is something I haven't tried yet, but you have me inspired!!!

  50. MiMi says

    May 26, 2010 at 12:54 AM

    That's fantabulous!
    What a great way to keep your crib if you are sentimental like me. 🙂

  51. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    May 26, 2010 at 12:20 AM

    Okay, your assistant is just the cutest thing ever! 🙂 LOVE the bench, Jen!! Looks like you, Shelley, and Tausha had a blast. I got to meet Richella from Imparting Grace last month, and it was so cool to put a face with the blog. 🙂 Bloggy meet 'n greets are the best. 🙂

  52. Alison says

    May 26, 2010 at 12:05 AM

    WOW! This turned out absolutely fabulous!! What a fun find… I will be on the hunt also 🙂 Love the pillow, too!!

  53. Jenglamgirl says

    May 25, 2010 at 11:44 PM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE IT JEN! I have seen a few.. yours is just so darling. I love the glaze touch too. WAY TO GO! what a darling assistant too. How fun to meet for lunch, to bad we can't HUGS, LUVS~ Jenn

  54. Kelli @ RTSM says

    May 25, 2010 at 11:43 PM

    So cute! I love the black and the glaze. I'm working on a changing table redo for a friend, but it is just plain white.

  55. Jen~ Lipstick and Laundry says

    May 25, 2010 at 11:43 PM

    Great job, I think I am going hunting for a crib now!

  56. Carrie says

    May 25, 2010 at 11:42 PM

    wow it looks so good!

  57. Vicky says

    May 25, 2010 at 11:39 PM

    Fantastic bench!

Hi! I'm Jen Hadfield. I'm a mom of 5 restoring an 1891 home in the heart of Salt Lake City. I love being creative and sharing simple ideas to make your life easier and more beautiful!

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