The Clothing Essential That Gives Any DIY Bench An Instant Upgrade

Many of us have an old bench lurking around that has seen better days. Over time, the cushion gets dirty, tears, or the fabric becomes extremely outdated. Instead of donating it, you can breathe new life into your bench by giving it a DIY makeover with a modern twist! Benches adorned with leather straps are stylish, but if you buy one new, it can cost over $200. You can replicate this look by decorating yours with a pair of chic belts. By the time you're done, your bench will look much more high-end than the basic version.

The first thing you need to do is pick up two matching belts from the thrift store. You can choose any color; however, keep in mind that if you want it to look elegant, consider sticking to black, white, or brown. Since there are other ways to upcycle old belts, you might even want to grab a few extras. You also need to purchase fabric to cover the seat cushion. Stores like Goodwill usually have a material section, or you could even sift through the curtain aisle. If you don't have a bench to start with, second-hand stores are also the perfect place to find furniture. With your thrifted purchases combined, it should still only cost a fraction of what a new bench is priced at.

Begin by removing the seat cushion so that you can work on revitalizing the base. Sand the wood legs until they're smooth, then stain or paint them. Make sure to let it dry thoroughly. As for the cushion, you typically need to remove the old material prior to reupholstering (and maybe even replace the padding, depending on its condition). But if your new fabric is thick enough to cover over the existing material — you can skip the step. Lay your fabric upside down, then place the upside-down seat on top of it. 

Next, pull the material taut, then add a staple to the center of one of the long sides. Repeat this on the other long side, then on the short sides. Starting at each center, move outwards and staple the fabric down at every inch point. Staple at an angle when you reach the corners to secure them in place. Cut off the excess fabric, and staple the remaining material so that it's taut around the corners. Once done, attach the reupholstered cushion to the base.

When making it even more of a chic DIY bench by belting it, close them as tightly as they'll go. Flip them around so that the buckles are hidden beneath it, and you see only the straps. However, if you like the look of the buckles, you can center them, making sure both sides are even. It might even give it some extra pizazz! Maybe you have a storage bench rather than a traditional one. Whether it needs a fabric upgrade or not, you can upcycle worn leather belts with oversized buckles around the lid for a rustic, travel-inspired look.

You now have a gorgeous, upgraded bench that could be used in an entryway, kitchen, or at the end of a bed. What makes this project extra fabulous is that the final look is really up to you, since you're the one picking out the fabric and belts. You could use a fun floral pattern, or keep it muted with earth tones. Since the belts are like the cherry on top, try to find vintage ones that have a touch of hand-crafted character and elegance, such as leather or suede belts.