INSIDE: How to turn old thrift store nightstands into a stylish storage bench with custom seated cushion.
My husband sent me a grainy text photo of a pair of mid-century modern nightstands from his random stop at a thrift store. The text read, “$15! Want them?” Of course, why would I not want a couple of retro side tables in need of a makeover?!
And so these funky tables came home and moved around various rooms until they found a permanent spot in the family room. We butted these two nightstands next to each other and poof! They became a much-needed storage bench and additional seating zone. Because one always needs a space for a storage basket …and wine!
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Make a Stylish Bench from Nightstands in 1 Day
Any DIY project is a great excuse to try a new product. This makeover was successful thanks to spray paint and we discovered a cool new paint product which helped to transform these nightstands from retro to stylish!
Supplies:
– Montana MTN 94 spray paint (Used by street artists, this spray paint has an adjustable spray nozzle head to control the amount of paint it emits)
– Rustoleum spray paint
– Painter’s tape
– Paintable wallpaper
– Optional: Storage basket, Wine rack
Nightstands Repurposed into DIY Storage Bench
Pull out a tarp because this old table makeover was done 99% with spray paints!
We laid some paper towels on the inside of the nightstand and gave the grates on the sides a shot of coral spray paint.
Once the sides were 100% dry, we covered them with paper and secured with painters tape.
We then used a cool new spray paint (to us, at least!) that has adjustable spray nozzles to control how much paint is emitted. Instead of getting the overspray typical of spray paints, we were able to better direct where and how the paint came out.
Gone with the retro brown wood and in with a modern matte finish gray for the rest of the tables.
How to Make a Bench Seat from Old Tables
The bottom of each nightstand was lined with pre-pasted wallpaper. I opted to leave it white but it looks really cool when painted.
Fill each shelf with baskets, bins, books …or a wine rack!
These $15 tables, originally sent to me via text, have become a good drop zone for our busy family and a good place to start Happy Hour!
Other Upcycled DIY Ideas You May Like:
- Turn a metal plate charger into a DIY chalkboard sign with fabric flowers
- Upcycle a staircase banister into a gallery photo wall
- Upcycle a larger dresser mirror frame into large-scale wall art
- $20 Craigslist mid-century modern coffee table makeover
- $10 vintage suitcase turned into a wall photo display
- Vintage wooden ruler as frame for a message board
- Brass firewood holder made modern magazine rack
More Thrift Store Ideas!
I teamed up with some crafty friends to bring you fun thrift store ideas. Check them out below in our monthly thrift store challenge!
The Rules:
- Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
- There’s no monthly theme.
- There’s no budget to stick to.
Meet the Hosts
Jennifer | Cookies Coffee and Crafts – Gail | Purple Hues and Me
Yami | The Latina Next Door – Amanda | Domestically Creative
Ann | Duct Tape And Denim – Debra | Shoppe No. 5 – Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled
Shirley | Intelligent Domestications – Chelc | Inside the Fox Den
Habiba | Craftify My Love
Do you follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Google+?
I would appreciate any social media love you can send my way.
You May Also Like:
How to Stencil a Fun Pattern on a Ceiling
Updating a Vintage Vanity Chair To Use For Child’s Desk
$20 Thrift Store Coffee Table Makeover
DIY Vintage Folding Ruler Photo Frame
How to Make Easy, Fun Schoolhouse Kids Craft Table
How to Paint a Color Block Accent on a Door
Transform a Firewood Holder into a Magazine Rack
How to Turn Metal Baskets into DIY Hanging Light Fixtures
How To Make An Easy Photo Frame from a Hardcover Book
How to Make a 10-Minute Table Runner with Vintage Linens
Great idea to put them together and make a bench. Pinning! That spray paint is new to me to, I can’t wait to try it. Love the color combination
Love the funky style! And of course, wine makes it even better 😉 I will have to try that spray paint I am always making a mess with spray paint.
What a gem of a husband you have! Thinking of your Passion of upcacling and bringing those treasures home to you. Mine is that way, to. Yay!!! I love the coral netting and the extra storage. Everyone needs extra storage, lol.
You are so lucky to have a hubby looking out for you in thrift shopping! And what a winner he found, too! Love how you grouped the finished pieces together for a totally awesome look!
What a great idea. It adds extra storage and seating and we can never have enough of that. That paint you tried sounds interesting. I will need to check into it.
Such a great idea, I love the result! Functional and pretty at the same time :).
Excellent upcycle. Total wow. Thanks for posting at Funtastic Friday
Love this, your bench looks great and all that handy storage too. Bonus!
Brilliant, just love it! And great to have your husband in on the game! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday and for always getting the party going with so much great creativity.
These look so different, I’m not sure I would have ever have thought to make something so useful with these. I love the grey and coral together too.
Your bench is one of the features at Handmade Monday this week 🙂
Great idea, and turned out nice!!
What a great find and upcycle, and I love the colors! Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go! I’ll be featuring you next week.
Gotta love midcentury modern! Nice save — seating AND storage: sweet:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen
Victoria that is such a clever repurpose. I think putting them together like that is brilliant and your bench is really practical and pretty!
That’s so cool. I especially love the fact that your husband is hunting for bargains for you. Mine is often the other way around, trying to get rid of things instrad….
Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned.
This is an awesome transformation. I just love this stylish bench from nightstands. Thanks a lot for sharing this post.
Super cute!