Man Turns Old Wood Crib Into A Stylish Swinging Patio Bench With An Impressive DIY

Many of us treasure all the little pieces our children have outgrown, but some items might be overstaying their welcome. Baby cribs, in particular, are bulky and practically unusable as a bed beyond the toddler years. Before that sentimental piece ends up forgotten in the garage, consider giving it a completely new purpose. While it's tempting to hold onto one, there's a surprisingly stylish way to keep an old crib in use: turn it into a swinging patio bench. What better way to pay homage to your family history than to bring it back as an alternative to the traditional signature decor piece that's slowly disappearing from front porches?

The basic idea is simple: reuse the crib's decorative pieces for the back and arms, then build a sturdy seat frame to turn them into functional outdoor seating that looks unique and fresh. Turning this furniture piece into a porch swing can be a great way to give it new life, but it does mean you could prevent the item from being used as it was originally intended ever again.This could be worth it, though, for those who don't plan on having more kids or don't want to pass theirs along to family members. While most people like to transform the crib as a way to preserve and repurpose a sentimental piece, some might choose this project to determine whether it's really cheaper to build their own patio furniture.

To pull off this project, you'll first need to disassemble the crib and draw up a plan. You'll likely use the back and two side pieces for your porch swing. Some folks use the back piece as the back of the swing and the two side or end pieces of the crib as armrests. However, one thing to consider is that not everyone's crib will attach to the swing base the same. For example, @outofthewoodwork on YouTube decided to join both of the ends. To do so, he had to cut the corners of some of the ornate trim to ensure proper alignment. Beyond that, some folks may have a crib with very high sides, which might need to be cut down so that the armrests feel more natural rather than like a cage surrounding the seat. Measure everything before making permanent cuts, since the crib's original dimensions will determine the finished bench size.

Once your backing and ends are cut appropriately, you'll need to make a seat box. @outofthewoodwork chose to use two perpendicular 4-by-4s cut to the length of the backing he created. He then added 2-by-4s as supports and crossbars to create a basic frame. Alternatively, some people have chosen to use the original crib bottom, reinforced with 2-by-4s or 4-by-4s. Use a drill to connect your pieces. For added security, you can also use wood glue. The finished frame needs to be substantially reinforced because it will support both the sitter's weight and the movement of a hanging swing. Once your seat box is created and your back and armrests connected, you can begin sanding, priming, and painting.

As mentioned above, every crib offers a unique design and may have different challenges. Therefore, this project may not be ideal for metal cribs, for example, where the material would be harder to cut. Additionally, when using interior wood outdoors, ensure it is properly treated or sealed to best protect it from the elements. Another challenge @outofthewoodwork encountered during their project was balancing the swing's weight. Unfortunately, some crib pieces and backings can be heavy, which can tip the swing dramatically or make it difficult to hang. To counteract this issue, @outofthewoodwork used a lighter wood (pine or spruce would work) in the back where the hefty backboard is installed, and a heavier wood (Douglas Fir would be a good choice) in the front to keep the seat level.

When it comes to stylish swing ideas to cozy up your front porch, consider using outdoor-rated rope as a functional and adorable way to dress up your swing. The rope can be adjustable, so if you experience leveling issues, it can be a quick fix. When it comes to the mattress seat, some people opt to use the original crib mattress and sheets to keep it simple. Just be sure to store pillows and the mattress in a moisture-safe organizer or inside your home when not in use.