The Perfect Foyer Bench Furniture Flip

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how to style a foyer bench

Do you keep a Thrift list? I try to go thrift shopping every week and when I do I always check my Thrift list.

My Thrift list is a list of items that I’d like to buy and ideally hope to find at a thrift store. Sometimes an item can be on my thrift list for a year or more. Sometimes I find it right away.

You Never Know What You’re Going to Find

One of the pieces I had on my thrift list for awhile was a bench for our foyer. We’ve spent a good amount of time on our foyer making it a beautiful and functional space. It serves as a mudroom and foyer actually so it needs to hold a lot of value.

It’s also one of the first things you see when you walk in our house, and I wanted to be greeted with order and beauty. Finding a bench was one of the last items on a long list of improvements and DIYs.

Honestly, I even looked at buying a new bench because I wanted a certain look that I just didn’t think I could find at a thrift store.

How could I doubt the thrift store?!

sanding down foyer bench

The Perfect Foyer Bench Furniture Flip

I found this solid, minimalistic looking bench at one of my go to thrift stores. They had just lowered the price. When I asked about it the clerk offered an even lower price to me and I was sold!

I got started right away sanding the finish off down to it’s natural wood.

foyer bench flip

Getting Down to Natural Wood

I did a lot of work on this table, but the majority of the sanding was done by this guy. It’s so great when your teenage son helps you out once in awhile. It seems everyone in the house has something they don’t mind doing in the DIY world.

I wouldn’t say Duncan likes sanding but he doesn’t mind dong for me at all. At least once awhile, like I said.

foyer bench wood stain

how to refinish foyer bench

Choosing a Stain Color

I went with a solid color wood stain in warm neutral by Miniwax. It was not easy choosing a color, but I knew I wanted an organic modern feel in our foyer that complemented our natural maple floors.

The heavy stain allows some wood grain to be blocked, but not all. The bench is made up of small pieces of wood, like a wood floor. I didn’t want the bench and the floor to be so similar, so I went with this heavier stain.

foyer bench painted wood

After one coat of thie stuff I was a little concerned. Once it started in soak into the wood, it became much more of a stain than it previously had been.

Loving the organic natural feel going on in our foyer. It’s a good place to take off or put on your shoes. In the Winter I may add a few beautiful yet sturdy wicker basket to store Winter accessories, etc.

foyer bench upcycle

foyer bench simple

Since it’s Fall I just had to give it a sheep skin rug and one of our PHH vintage pillows. Why? Because it’s throws and pillow, how can I not?

When it starts not to be not hot, notice I didn’t say cold just not hot, well that’s a good enough reason to get all the Autumn coziness going at our house!

how to style a foyer bench

Only $25 for this six foot long, solid wood bench. The wood stain ran around $7.

This is why I thrift shop!

Tools for this Project

  • Electric Sander
  • Sand paper
  • Rag for wiping off sawdust
  • Wood stain
  • Paint brush

Where you surprised by the wood tone I choose for this foyer bench? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to her your opinion.

xo maria

MORE FURNITURE FLIP INSPIRATION

SAVE IT FOR LATER

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Disclosure: Affiliate links in this post allow me to receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

11 Comments

  1. Donna

    Wow! Can’t believe you bought this for $25! I love how you refinished it! It looks like it was made for this space! The sheep skin rug is amazing! Great job!

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      Thanks Donna! I had been watching it since it was marked at $65, but then they marked it down!

      Reply
  2. Marie

    You have a great eye! This bench looks amazing now!

    Reply
  3. Donna @ Modern on Monticello

    Great transformation! It looks like it was made for that space. You got so lucky waiting for the price to drop as well. This post will be a feature this week. Thanks for sharing with us this week. #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      You’re so right Donna I did get lucky on the price drop Donna. Thank you for featuring this post on the #HomeMattersParty! I’m so excited and honored!

      Reply
  4. Rachel - Tea and Forget-me-nots

    This is perfect for the space, great find and update.

    Reply
  5. Emma sivewright

    This bench features a whimsical design that will make your foyer stand out from the rest. The bench is made from sturdy and durable materials, so you can trust that it will last for years. Neck Pain Specialist Adelaide

    Reply
    • Maria Kamara

      Yes, It is a very well made bench. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  6. Maria Kamara

    Thank you! I’m so glad you liked this post. Truly honored to be chosen!

    Reply

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Welcome to Pure Happy Home! A home design and DIY blog encouraging and helping you to design spaces you love. Here you’ll find budget makeovers, design tips and creative ideas you can apply to your home. Follow along as our family of 7 works to make our home more beautiful and our relationships closer.

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