DIY Coffee Table to Bench Conversion: A Quick & Easy Guide

Updated at: 19/05/2025

Tired of that old coffee table gathering dust and taking up valuable space? Do you dream of a stylish and functional bench perfect for extra seating or a charming addition to your porch? Then you're in the right place! This guide will show you how to transform your unwanted coffee table into a beautiful, practical bench with minimal effort and cost. It's a surprisingly simple project, perfect for beginners and a fantastic way to breathe new life into old furniture. Upcycling is not only environmentally friendly but also incredibly rewarding.

This quick and easy DIY project requires only basic tools and readily available materials, making it accessible to everyone. We'll walk you through each step, from assessing your coffee table to the final touches, ensuring a smooth and successful conversion. Ready to turn that forgotten furniture piece into a cherished addition to your home? Let's dive into the step-by-step process!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Coffee table or side table
  • Cushion padding
  • Outdoor/indoor heavy-duty material
  • Staple gun
  • Scissors
  • Marker
  • Pins (optional)
  • Bias tape (optional)
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use appropriate safety glasses and work gloves to protect yourself from splinters and flying debris during the disassembly and reassembly process.
  • Ensure the coffee table's structure is sturdy enough to support the weight it will bear as a bench. If necessary, reinforce weak points with additional wood supports or screws before adding the seat.
  • Properly secure all screws, bolts, and fasteners to prevent the bench from collapsing under weight. Check stability before use.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Padding

    • Place padding on the ground and position the coffee table on top. Trace the table's outline onto the padding with a marker.
    • Cut the padding along the traced line.

  2. Attach the Fabric

    • Lay out the fabric and place the coffee table on top of the cut padding. Center the table and pull the fabric taut.
    • Secure the fabric to the underside of the coffee table. Start from the center and work your way outwards, ensuring the fabric is pulled tight. Use staples or pins to secure.
    Secure the fabric to the underside of the coffee table. Start from the center and work your way outwards, ensuring the fabric is pulled tight. Use staples or pins to secure.Secure the fabric to the underside of the coffee table. Start from the center and work your way outwards, ensuring the fabric is pulled tight. Use staples or pins to secure.
    Attach the Fabric

  3. Finish the Corners

    • For the corners, fold and pin the fabric neatly, creating a crisp, wrapped finish. This is similar to wrapping a present.
    For the corners, fold and pin the fabric neatly, creating a crisp, wrapped finish. This is similar to wrapping a present.
    Finish the Corners

  4. Optional: Finish the Edges with Bias Tape

    • Use bias tape to finish the edges, covering the raw edges for a professional look. Attach it by tacking it down along the edge.
    Optional: Use bias tape to finish the edges, covering the raw edges for a professional look. Attach it by tacking it down along the edge.
    Optional: Finish the Edges with Bias Tape

Read more: DIY Upcycled Bed Frame: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Use heavy-duty fabric; avoid thin cotton.
  • Always start securing the fabric from the middle and work outwards for even tension.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Insufficient Support for the Extended Bench Top

Reason: Adding a bench top extension significantly increases the weight and leverage on the existing coffee table frame. A poorly supported extension will sag or collapse.
Solution: Reinforce the existing frame with additional bracing, supports, or a thicker tabletop.

2. Ignoring Weight Capacity

Reason: Coffee tables are generally designed for lighter loads than benches. Overloading the converted bench with heavy objects can lead to structural failure.
Solution: Use robust materials for the extension and ensure the overall design can safely support anticipated weight.

FAQs

What kind of coffee tables are best suited for this conversion?
Sturdy coffee tables with a solid top and a relatively low profile work best. Tables with thin or fragile tops, or those with intricate designs, might be more challenging to convert successfully. Look for tables made of wood or other durable materials.