The entryway is coming along! This is the third week of the $100 Room Challenge hosted by Erin over at Lemons, Lavender and Laundry. If you remember back on Week 1 when I mention I wanted to create a sitting area in the room, I shared an inspirational bench I would love to have if there wasn’t a budget. Well, I succeeded! I have my bench and still have money in the budget.
Hey there, welcome to week 3 of the entryway makeover. If you are just joining me on the challenge you can click on my progress below.
WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | REVEAL DAY
The bench I was dreaming of having in our entryway was way over the budget allowed.
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The more I looked at the bench I thought to myself, it couldn’t be too hard to make. The first step was to purchase the metal bench legs. I found a set on Amazon. It was a big chunk of my budget, however it’s a must have for the entryway. The legs are triangle shape instead of square, but will provide the same style I was looking for.
16 ” Tall Trapezoid Metal Table Legs for Furniture, Bench Legs, Coffee Table Legs Set of 2
I took a walk to our shed to see what type of board we have for the bench’s seat.
I remembered we had the wood parts of our son’s 36 year old waterbed frame. I looked at using the head board part, but it wouldn’t work.
I decided to use one of the side boards. It’s a nice piece of board, thick enough for a beach seat.
I am so happy I have all the materials to build the bench, now I need to figure out the size I want the bench. The wall I will be placing the bench on is only 4′ wide, decided to make my bench 3 feet in length. I measured the board, used the square to make a straight line and cut on the line with a circular saw.
I sanded the board to remove the old finish. I used 80 grit sand paper until the finish was removed and finished the sanding with 120 grit to smooth the surface. To my surprise it is a perfect piece for the bench, loving the wood grain in the wood.
I measured 4″ in from each edge to place the legs. The legs came with wood screws, which I thought were too short so I used longer wood screws.
Predrilled pilot holes where the holes are on the legs.
It was that easy to build the bench.
I have three stains in our closet, I applied all three on the bottom part of the seat to see which one I wanted to use.
I decided to use Hickory (the first can) for the bench. I applied three coats with sanding between coats.
I applied five coats of poly sanding between each coat as well.
Now to let it dry. I love how this looks and can’t wait to style it in the entryway.
Below is the one I was looking at on Wayfair’s website. Bexton Live Edge Three Seat Bench.
I hope to add an area rug by week 4!
Let’s take a look at the budget so far…
- Week 2 = $29.30
- Bench legs – $ 39.99
- Wood for bench – $0 (had on hand)
- Stain – $0 (had on hand)
Total spent so far = $69.29
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Let’s see where the rest of the participates are in their rooms.
Decorating our home on a budget is my thrill. I think a home can look beautiful without breaking the bank. Your home should bring the best out of you and make you feel happy. You should smile every time you enter your home. 🙂
I LOVE this bench!!! And nothing like saving $320 in the process. (And I actually like yours better with the bench legs more triangular). You did an amazing job!
Thanks Erin! I just love the Wayfair bench, so it is great to be pushed to be creative to save money and get a bench you want. Thank you for your sweet comment on my bench.
Girl, your bench is so much better than Wayfair’s! It came out so good! I can’t wait for the reveals… it’s coming up quick!
Thanks so much Lia. I am so happy I was able to pull off a bench for our entryway and to have it compared to the more high end version is super nice. I am so happy on how it turned out. Yes…this challenge has went by so quick for sure!
Your bench, and all your projects really, came out great! I love being able to go through our “goodie piles” and find just what I need to complete a project I’m working on. I have a question about your drop cloth of all things lol. Is that an actual old handmade quilt?
Karen I don’t know what I will do once I use all of our scrap wood. I will be lost!
The quilt is actually an old quilt that was going to be tossed. Instead I took it from the prior owner and use it a lot. Normally we use it when we need a blanket to sit on outside, I use it for so many things. I do use it for a drop cloth to sit on mostly. I have a towel I use when I paint on top of the quilt. It was made out of polyester pantsuits. ha!
What a fantastic job in making this bench.
This bench probably was one of the easiest project in the whole challenge. I just love that I was able to find affordable legs to use. Thank you!
Great job on the bench!! every bit of the inspiration – only cheaper! it’s a win-win
Thank you Jamala. I do love that I was able to create the bench I want for the cost I did. Lucky for me we didn’t throw away our son’s old bed frame, the wood turned out to be super cute for the bench top. I love how I made an expensive bench for under $50.
Your bench looks awesome! Honestly I like it even better than your inspiration bench!
Awe! Thank you Carrie so much. I am so proud of my bench.
Actually I like the legs on your bench better than your inspiration piece! Well done!
Donna, you are so sweet, I love how the bench turned out. I was so surprised at how the grain of the wood resembled the inspirational bench. The only thing is I should of gave it a good beating to maar it up. I planned on doing it but thought I would of mess it up, so I just stained it. I am happy with the legs but would of love a more square looking leg but not in the budget. All in all it is the look I wanted in the room, plus it is going to be more functional than the table I had in the room prior. Thank you Donna.
Love the shape of those legs! What a great bench
Thank you Jackie. I did want a more square look for the legs, but the cost of the ones I found were in the budget. I am happy with the overall look.
So worth the big chunk of your budget!!!
Thank Tammy. Working with a budget isn’t always fun, but this challenge really is a fun way to decorate. ha!
Your bench turned out great! I love the legs!
Thank you so much Tracy. I love how the bench turned out. The scrap wood had the wood grain I was looking for, never though it would until after I removed the old stain. It really surprised me how it turned out.
You did a great job building your bench. I’m not surprised by how well it turned out. Looking forward to seeing your area rug.
Cindy
Cindy it was so easy, I hate to say it wasn’t much to it. It will look so nice once I get it in the entryway and style it. So exciting. Thank you
Terrie that bench is amazing I love it! What a great build out for your foyer you have so much talent my friend!
Thank you Jen. When you have a small budget and big plans you have to get creative. I was so relieved to find the legs for the price I did. It allowed me to get the bench I really wanted without breaking the allowance. You are so sweet, thank you for your sweet comment.
Great job! I like yours even better then the other inspiration one. Love it!
Awe thanks Jodi. It makes a perfect bench, the size and shape is perfect. Great thing about DIY you can custom it to fit your room.
Wow! That looks just like the inspiration bench! Great job.
Thanks Amy. I am excited I was able to have a bench in the entryway and still keep it under the budget allowed.