1 Sand the piece using a medium-grit sanding sponge – ideal for turned legs and carved details.
2 Wipe with a damp cloth or tack rag.
3 Brush on one coat of latex primer; let dry.
4 Apply three coats of semigloss latex paint (I used Ralph Lauren Paint’s Hot Orange IB67); let dry between coats. Two coats will suffice for lighter colours.
Pro upholstery lesson Master upholsterer Patrick Kennedy of Soft Options Upholstery in Toronto offers these tips.- Standard seat height is 18", so choose the right thickness of foam to bring the table to bench height.
- Centre pattern of the fabric on the piece.
- If you’re adding button tufting (as Patrick is doing in the photo at left), determine the placement that works best with the pattern. Patrick placed a button at the centre of each circular motif. The sections of fabric used to cover the buttons also continue the circle pattern.
What I paid
Coffee Table (Craigslist): $15
Primer & paint (leftovers): $0
Fabric: $100
Upholstery: $130
Soy foam: $78
Total: $323
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12 Comments
I find it really frustrating that you do such costly makeovers on cheap items. $323 to revamp a $15 coffee table into a bench!! You could buy one cheaper at HomeSense or Crate & Barrel ...... Why do you keep doing this? People just laugh when they see the cost of your revamps.
I agree with JenniferF....it's hardly a DIY project when you bring it to someone else to do!!
I agree with Jennifer, however you do not need to go to go to get this upholstered by a professional. You can do this yourself. Go to a fabric store and purchase the foam and fabric. Very cheap. I have reupholstered my dining room chairs myself for under $30.00 (6 chairs). We are trying to save money here. Happy bargain hunting. greeneyes2
That's funny, I thought I was the only one who felt that way reading the article. I couldn't imagine spending $323.00 on that. I'm surprised because S@H is usually very down to earth and practical.
hey, just thought I'd weigh in on this. OK, I'm a bit biased because I work on the magazine, but thought I'd shed a little light on the issue of cost. $323 may seem like a lot of money, and you can find a bench at HomeSense $300-$400. However, you will NEVER, I repeat NEVER, find a bench that looks like this at all, and certainly not for this kind of $. What you will find is a bland plain faux-leather something or other. The retail value of this piece as made over would now be $800-$1,200. That's an excellent return on investment. Kevin created a unique piece that couldn't be found anywhere else at any price, and he did so for the same price a plain piece would cost at retail. Yes, you could upholster it yourself and save more money for sure -- that suggestion is made in the article. We like to show a variety of levels of commitment to projects, since not everyone can DIY. We also like to highlight the talent of craftspeople like upholsterers and sewers sometimes, since they are a great resource. Renovating furniture is not unlike renovating your home. Compare it to doing over a kitchen or bathroom. If you put in only the basic low-end fixtures, you get a certain amount of value back. But, if you upgrade the fixtures just a little your $$ return rises exponentially. Hope that helps a bit. Margot Austin Senior Design Editor
I agree with everyone else. The bench is nice but I saw one just as nice at my local furniture store for about $100 without all the work. I don't think the cost of an entrance bench makeover should be more than the weekly grocery bill It should be fun to do, cheap to do and a complete DIY project.
$323??? From a $15 coffee table, that's crazy!! And not DIY at all. Maybe Style at Home should get real and acknowledge the rough economic times and give readers real DIY projects on a budget. This should have been categorized under "How To DIY for Rich Lazy People". Not kosher S@H.
Frankly, I don't see how this expensive makeover project could have any return on value. If it was an antique, and lovingly restored or embellished, maybe. The fabric choice and paint colour (eeek!) are so esoteric, I'm not sure who they would appeal to. Sorry!
Frankly, I don't see how this expensive makeover project could have any return on value. If it was an antique, and lovingly restored or embellished, maybe. The fabric choice and paint colour (eeek!) are so esoteric, I'm not sure who they would appeal to. Sorry!
Give me a break. You state you cant find a table of this quaity for the price of the remake. Its still an old table. If you go around on garbage day you can most likely find one for free. DIY the upholstery and voila a bargain for around $100.00 Fabric is always on sale for up to 66% off.
I think everyone needs to relax!!! The article was to basically give the idea to repurpose a coffee table. I have done one for myself and a couple for gifts. A great way to personalize my space. Yes i could buy one from a big box store but then I have just the same as everyone else. I designed mine so I could have matching window treatments. I spent maximum $40.00. Anyway, keep in mind the articles are for ideas, take it or leave it!
I think everyone needs to relax!!! The article was to basically give the idea to repurpose a coffee table. I have done one for myself and a couple for gifts. A great way to personalize my space. Yes i could buy one from a big box store but then I have just the same as everyone else. I designed mine so I could have matching window treatments. I spent maximum $40.00. Anyway, keep in mind the articles are for ideas, take it or leave it!