DIY Painted Wooden Bench Makeover for Midsummer / Summer Solstice
This is a simple DIY project that anyone can do. I don't work with wood. I just started doing it. As long as it's real wood, you can sand it down, reshape it, and make it fit your own style. It's surprisingly hard to go wrong. And even if you do, there's usually not much to lose.
Giving second-hand furniture a new lease of life is a wonderful way to create pieces that truly feel at home in your space. The best part about DIY projects is that you learn something new every time, and you end up with something that's uniquely yours.
Watch this creative project in the video
What you’ll need
An old wooden bench or other solid wood furniture
Sandpaper / Sanding machine
Protective equipment such as gloves and safety goggles
Acrylic paints
Paintbrushes
A pencil
A small container or palette
Weather-resistant wood stain or outdoor wood protection
Instructions
Although this old garden bench was no doubt cobbled together from leftover pieces of wood, most of the timber is still in good condition. With a little sanding, paint and weather protection, it can easily remain in use for many more years. Restoring second-hand wooden furniture is one of my favourite DIY projects. It's a simple way to create unique garden furniture while reducing waste and giving old pieces a second life.
This little old bench was no doubt cobbled together by someone using offcuts of wood. Yet most of the wood is still in good condition. I'm sure it will remain in use for several more years. We often rush to buy things cheaply—even when it comes to furniture. In doing so, we often overlook what already exists and the value that still lies within it.
Once the bench has been sanded and prepared, it's time to finish it off. I'm just using whatever I have on hand: a few acrylic paints left over from a paint-by-numbers kit, a plastic container, some old paintbrushes, a pencil and a few jars. Take your time developing your design. I wanted the finished bench to capture a little of the magic of the longest days of the year, creating a hand-painted garden bench inspired by Midsummer.
Finally, treat the wood with a weather-resistant wood stain to help protect it from rain and everyday wear. This simple step helps preserve the painted wooden bench so it can be enjoyed outdoors for years to come.
At Midsummer, an extra garden bench always comes in handy. It's lightweight, versatile, and useful for much more than just sitting. I'm quite happy with the result. I wanted the design to capture a little of the magic of the longest days of the year.
What do you think?