This DIY Garden Bench Makeover is the perfect solution to give me a place to rest or set my gardening tools and it didn’t cost me a thing!
Don’t you love it when you can upcycle something you already own and use it to solve a current need, rather than having to buy something new? Those are my favorite kind of projects!
Several months ago, my sweet mother-in-law gave me this cute little garden bench that she no longer had a use for.
I think it was originally intended as more of a plant stand, but I decided to give it a makeover and use it next to my raised bed garden as a place to set my harvest basket, gardening tools, or cold drink when I’m working in the garden.
It’s even sturdy enough to sit down and take a break if needed.
A Farmers Market Theme for my DIY Garden Bench Makeover
The bench was already adorable with a cute little flower and vine pattern, but since it was now going to be used by my vegetable and herb garden, I decided that a “farmers market” update would be fun!
My husband helped out by giving it a light sanding with the orbital sander. I liked that the bench already had some weathering and patina to it, so I didn’t want to repaint the whole thing and make it look brand-new. He sanded it just enough to remove the flowers and vine.
I used a can of Krylon Fusion spray paint in a Matte Clamshell color to lightly spray the spots that were a little bare and then used a chip brush to gently spread it out, without actually giving it a heavy coat of paint.
Copper Tops on my DIY Garden Bench Makeover
The top of each picket has a little birdhouse-like roof that was a maroon color. I decided to update it with a light coat of the copper-colored Rustoleum that I had leftover from my Spring Birdhouse Centerpiece project.
I like how the copper spray paint settled into the weather-worn spots on the wood and gave the copper a distressed look.
Stencils for the Farmers Market Theme
I made very simple stencils using my Cricut Maker and cut them out on stenciling vinyl.
I gave the lettering a coat of Mod Podge first, which is my secret weapon against paint-bleed. After that was dry, I filled in the letters with black paint that was suitable for outdoors.
It’s important to remove the stencils while the paint is still slightly wet because this prevents the edges of the paint from lifting with the stencils.
Then, I touched up any small flaws using a black Sharpie oil-based paint pen. Have you seen these? They are perfect for fixing small blemishes in your lettering!
Clear Coat Protectant
Before moving my DIY Garden Bench outside, I gave it a couple of coats of a clear coat protectant meant for outdoor use. I want my garden bench to last as long as possible.
It’s the perfect place to set my cold drink, my basket, and my tools. Plus, doesn’t it just look so cute next to the raised-bed, deer-proof garden we built last summer?
Shop Supplies for this Project:
Even More Great Upcycles!
DIY Thrift Store Frame Makeover | Vintage Magazine Rack Makeover | Upcycled Garden Bench
How to Paint Picture Frames | Upcycled Serving Tray | Vintage Sewing Drawers Upcycle
Let’s stay in touch! You can subscribe to The House on Silverado to get inspiration delivered right to your inbox, and follow on social media, so you won’t miss a thing!
Facebook —– Instagram —– Pinterest
Shop My Favorite Gardening Supplies
This post contains affiliate links.
How cute ! I love the birdhouses and stencils. What a wonderful before and after. You didn’t tell us if your MIL has seen the transformation. Imagine if you could sell them.
Oh yes, my MIL loved the transformation! She often gifts me things from around her house and says, “Here, you take this because I know you’ll turn it into something wonderful.” 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Myrna!
This is so cute! Especially if you have children. Thank you for contributing to the Home Imagined Link Party.
What an adorable upcycled bench!!! I love it…it adds so much charm and character to your garden space. Thanks so much for sharing at Home Imagined this week, Niky!!
What a wonderful transformation, Niky! You did a great job on your garden bench makeover. I love the stencils that you created and your tip for preventing paint bleeding is so clever! I am excited to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About Link Party. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much, Lynne! I appreciate you selecting my project to feature. 🙂
This turned out so cute Niky!
That bench is adorable! Thanks for sharing! I’m coming over from the Vintage Charm Link up party.
I love gardening and think this is super cute!
Thank you, Meagan!
Niky, that was so nice of your MIL to give you the bench! What a wonderful makeover ~ perfect out there in your garden!! Happy to have featured your post at last week’s Share Your Style #306. <3
I do have to ask, do you spray/paint Mod Podge all over the back of the each stencil, then apply it and paint? I haven't done much work with stencils.
Thank you,
Barb 🙂
Love this!! A perfect edition to a garden!! So pretty and practical at the same time!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Hugs,
Deb
This is as cute as can be! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm–pinned!
I love that you were able to take that bench and make it your own! Great job – Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s. You are being featured on my blog Tuesday evening.
The bench turned out so cute! I love it! I never thought about using Mod Podge to help prevent paint bleed with a stencil. I will have to try that sometime! Also, I need to build myself a garden like yours. I’m showing my husband this, so we can plan for next spring. 🙂
That is such an adorable transformation! What a perfect bench for the garden now. Pinned.
This bench looks amazing! Such a great makeover! Pinning!!!
Thank you so much!
Oh wow! That is so cute! What a great project. I love the end result x
This turned out so adorable!! I really like that you leaned in to its distressed look and managed to eliminate the painted vine without having to repaint the whole thing. It looks great next to your deer proof garden 😍!
Thanks so much, Allison!
What a sweet and fun bench, you totally transformed it! It’s great hopping with you every month!
It looks great! Enjoy using it. #MMBC
Oh how cute is that Niky and we all need a garden bench. I have an old school chair out in my garden right now, and you have given me inspiration!
This is so cute! I love how it turned out. It’s perfect for your garden.
I’m in love with your bench! It’s the perfect makeover for a garden.
Thank you so much, Allyson!
Fantastic makeover of this bench.
Loving the addition of the copper
Niky, I love the transformation! I need a Cricut Maker…I do love your font choices in the stencils. I am inspired to find pieces like this and upcycle them…such a great tutorial. Thanks for sharing and as always, happy hopping with you!
Thank you so much, Mary. My Cricut has definitely been a learning experience, but I’m getting there. I stick with very simple projects right now!