How to Turn a Coffee Table Into a Bench

What do you do with a coffee table that has served its purpose to the point where it simply no longer looks good? Cup rings, scrapes and other damage can make coffee tables unattractive as they age. Throwing it out to buy another is certainly an option, but why throw the piece out when it can be reincarnated into something beautiful and useful again? It does not take much to turn that unattractive coffee table into an attractive bench and conversation piece. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Inspect your coffee table for damage and repair as necessary. Especially check for wobbly legs since you are turning this into something for people to sit on.

2

Prepare the foam. The best way to do this is to turn the table over on top of the foam so that you can mark the straight edges with a marker, then cut along those straight edges with an electric knife.

3

Attach the foam to the top of the table by spraying with adhesive. Take care that you center your foam to make your bench look balanced.

4

Put the batting over the foam. You should have at least 3 inches extra all the way around for ease of stapling. Starting with the center of a lengthwise side, staple the batting to the underside of the table. Leave the corners for last so that you can tuck them neatly before stapling.

5

Put the fabric over the batting. You need 5 inches extra fabric to allow for clean pulling and stapling. Once again, do your long sides first, then short sides, leaving your corners for last, stapling securely.