Fun, Fast, & Funky Bench Seat Makeover
Do you believe in idea-at-first-sight?
This is when you see something, any thing, and you instantly know at that very moment what that thing needs to be or what it needs to look like. There’s this invisible connection made between you and whatever it is, and an idea just pops into your head from who knows where.
It’s kinda like magic, like a vision, and since my ideas rarely happen that way when they do I consider it a gift from the decorating gods… and I’m very grateful for it.
So like a true believer I jump in with blind faith, and I go where the idea takes me.
Who the heck am I to question the decorating gods? 🙂
That’s just how it happened with this bench seat. It’s pretty sweet right?
It has a few dents, dings, and chips in all the right places (any place is the right place actually), and those legs are quite wonderful.
I love legs that are straight and curvy at the same time.
I found it at a village yard sale a little while ago for $2, and I immediately fell into idea-at-first-sight.
This little bench spoke to me, and somehow I knew exactly what it needed… a fun, fast, & funky bench seat makeover.
The storage was an unexpected bonus.
When I shared this in my finds post a while ago a few readers commented that it was a vintage sewing seat bench.
I had no clue, and even though I’m so not a sewer, knowing that  just makes me love it more.
The best thing about this gift of an idea is that it’s very quick, very easy, and very inexpensive.
My favourite kind of makeover.
The white paint and fabric seat cover were in great shape so I left them both as is.
I’m simply covering the seat part with exactly what the vision called for.
And here it is… a lovely red scarf that was knitted-in-the-round from my scarf collection stash.
I’ve long been a repurposer of scarves of all kinds. They can be used in so many ways… like this lampshade makeover,  pillow covers, and wreaths of all kinds like this faux pumpkinseed wreath for example.
In my neck of the thrifting woods scarves are usually $1 each, and sometimes they have 2 for $1 sales to clear them out when they have too many.
I placed the seat inside one end of the scarf…
…and slowly pulled the scarf along.
These knitted-in-the-round scarves are usually stretchy so moving it a little at a time is best.
You don’t want to stretch it too far or whatever is underneath will show through, in my case the white fabric.
It’s pretty easy to adjust the scarf if you need to when you have the seat completely covered.
This kinda reminds me of a vintage candy wrapper.
The red looks so yummy!
To take care of the ends, you just turn the seat over and tuck them inside.
Easy peasy.
This bench seat is only about 16″ wide, but this could easily be done to longer seats with longer scarves.
I’ve seen these scarves in all kinds of lengths and all different colours.
By tucking the ends in underneath the seat looks very neat and tidy.
So I’m pretty happy with my idea-at-first-sight creation.
It’s definitely fun and funky, which is exactly what this little bench asked for.
And it was so fast!
Here it is in my aqua and red kitchen.
The kitchen door on the right is the one we use all the time, so this would’ve been the perfect spot to sit while putting on and taking off our shoes.
But we knew that probably wasn’t going to happen when our Miss Monkey claimed the spot seconds after the bench was originally brought into the house.
And now our Miss Pixie has decided she loves this bench too. It’s her new favourite place to catch a few winks.
As long as the cats are happy, we’re happy. 🙂
So this idea-at-first-sight project was such a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to add some pizzazz to this little bench.
I love mixing funky with traditional.
This would also be a great temporary solution while you’re waiting to find the perfect fabric, but Miss Pixie thinks it’s a keeper just the way it is… and I just happen to agree with her.
The colour and texture are fun, and I love that it’s removeable if it needs to be washed.
So, the next time you fall into idea-at-first-sight, thank the decorating gods, and just go for it. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t… but you won’t know for sure which way it’ll go unless you give it a try.
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
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Great little project; Easy, quick and gorgeous and great price as well. With that red on the upside down cushion reminds me of them hand warming muffs
too cute….thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much Pam!
Thanks Colleen! I didn’t see that, but now that you mention it it does kinda looks like muffs. 🙂
Before you tucked the excess scarf under the bench seat, I saw a candy-wrapper Christmas pillow in the making…maybe with red and white ribbon ties on each side 🙂
I also want to add that I have the same bench and sewing machine cabinet that I’ve been storing for years with the idea of refurbishing it. Since I started reading your blog, I decided that I wanted to paint the cabinet and bench a pretty pink color. You’ve been such an influence on me!
Thanks Mother Deer. I’m thrilled that you’ve been inspired by my projects. I’m sure your cabinet and bench are lovely. They’re pink, so how could they not be? 🙂 The Christmas candy wrapper pillow is a fabulous idea.
Very cool! So glad Missed Pixie and Monkey approve. Aren’t cats
wonderful? Hope you all enjoy it. ??
Thanks Mary! We do love our cats, all 4 of them. 🙂
Love the bench, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be used much for putting on shoes. That fuzzy scarf says cat perch to me! Great picture of Miss Pixie!
Thanks Linda! I’m sure you’re right. It’s been claimed by the two female felines. Salty and Leo, the two males, haven’t even noticed it yet.
Hey Tuula,
This is inspiration at it’s finest!! Love how cats have the final approval. I know my three do!! lol
Thanks Patricia! The cats seal of approval seems to rule this house most of the time. lol.
OMG! Sure wish the decorating Gods would look down on me 🙂 Great idea, LOVE it!! Happy the cats are happy 😉
Thanks Deb! Happy cats make a happy house. 🙂
I will never look at a knitted in the round scarf the same way again. Never would have thought to use it for bench upholstery and yet it is the perfect way to repurpose one! Can’t blame Miss Pixie for gravitating towards that warm fluffy seat, My Rexy would have done the same. Love this idea! Pinned
P.S. We have the exact same floor tiles.
Thanks Marie! Pixie can’t seem to resist the scarf. She’s so cute! We loved the floor when we installed it eons ago, but it’s going to be removed at some point. It’ll be the last thing to happen with the kitchen makeover. I just have to figure out what I want to do for a new floor first.
Hi Tuula! I haven’t seen you for awhile. I love your seat, it looks fab with your aqua. The kitties just know you did a makeover just for them. 🙂
Thanks Pam! So happy to hear from you. The kitties are so smart. They knew it before I did. lol.
I love it! Who woulda thought to put a scarf over a seat cushion! Only you Tuula…..the decorating gods are high fiving right now!! So I didn’t have to spend hours getting a grain sack stencil just right on a piece of canvas to cover my stool???!!!
Thanks so much AnnMarie! If you’re talking about the stool in your dining room reveal post I loved it. It may have taken hours to do, but it’s fabulous.
This is a great no sew project. And it makes a wonderful spot for the kitties to enjoy.
Thanks Debra! And they are enjoying it. 🙂
Oh My God… that is SO cute Tuula!!! What a great idea, I never would have thought of that, it looks so good in your kitchen!
Tania
Thanks Tania! I think it’s one of the easiest projects I’ve ever done.
This is funky and fun, and if the kitties approve, you’re all set. It looks great in your kitchen. Checking out those scarf projects, and when I think of the scarves I was recently attracted to in the thrift stores, and didn’t get….head slap!
Thanks Florence! Scarves are such an easy way to get a lot of bang for my decorating buck. I’m always looking at them, and picking up interesting ones when I see them. They don’t really take up much storage space either.
Ahhhhh and the furr babies love it too. That red, furry material looks so fluffy and cuddly Tuula and I adore the bright red. It’s perfect
Thanks so much Michelle! We do have to keep our fur babies happy.:)
What a great find this little seat/ bench was. I love the quick makeover you gave it, and best of all you can change it easily again another time if you decide to. AND the scarf can easily come off for a wash is necessary.
Thanks very much Julie. That changeable thing is a great point. I have a few other scarves in colours that would also work.
That looks cute! Good thing you had the perfect scarf to match your kitchen and to please your kitties, Tuula. 🙂
Thanks Julia! Miss Monkey has decided to let Miss Pixie have the bench. They’re both such sweeties.
Perfect pop of color and texture against the aqua wall.
Thanks very much Donna!
Tuula, you have the best scarf makeovers! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm–pinned!
Thanks Cecilia! I never met a scarf I didn’t like… to repurpose. lol.
What fuzzy fun! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks so much Jann!