Today is Themed Furniture Day my friends! You know how much I love a good furniture makeover too. Our theme this month is outside so I decided to upgrade an old outside bench I had and make it a beachy starfish stenciled bench.
Since I spent the entire month of June outdoors working on my 30 Days To Fabulous Backyard Makeover, I figured I’d paint something that will work for our outdoor shower which is next to my DIY standing towel rack. My starfish stenciled bench will do nicely and it’s a perfect size to place clean towels and dry clothes to rinse off after a fun day at the beach. It could also be cute at the front door, inside some where or in the backyard when we need extra seating.
I built this bench last year and left it outside. That would have been fine had I used pressure treated wood for the seat top and screwed the seat slats on. I made a new top to replace the old one.
What’s a beachy starfish bench without a good beachy saying? I had this awesome “Life is Better At The Beach” stencil I used for a painting class I taught last spring. I cut up the words to spread them across the bench.
Here’s a tip when you cut a stencil or have a thin edge on a stencil, add some extra painter’s tape to protect the edges so you don’t get any stencil paint outside of the stencil area.
To match the legs and top on my beachy stenciled starfish bench, I distressed the words and stenciled starfish just a tad. I like to use 22o grit sandpaper over a sanding block.
I distressed the edges a little too. Notice how the seat slats on the edges of my starfish stenciled bench look worn? I took off the sharp edges with my random orbital sander (before painting:) ) so they’d be comfortable when someone sat down.
It’s true ya know,
Life really is better at the beach!
Love a good outdoor furniture makeover? Looking for more good ideas? Take a look below at the rest of the outdoor furniture makeover projects my blogging friends came up with this month!
You’ll find my project linked up to these fabulous parties!
Love a good dose of DIY home decor, home improvement, the challenge of woodworking and creative ways to make your home look fabulous?
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I’d love to share mine with you. Click here to sign up for my post emails and I’ll send a quick note when I have a new project to share.
Disclosure: I may have been compensated, given product or tools that I used in this DIY post. All opinions that I share are always 100% my own. I use affiliate links in my posts. If you should make a purchase I will receive an itty bitty commission at no cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my blog and two fur-ball cats who believe they are privileged.
Julie Briggs says
What a cute project! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Wendi says
Thanks so much Julie! I love sharing my projects at your party each week:)
Vanessa says
Hi, Wendi,
What a great bench for your home. I love what you have been up to. It’s hot here in Central Fl and I know it’s hotter by the sea. We need to meet up soon. I would love to meet with you and go thrift shopping. LOL, my favorite thing to do. Take care, friend.
Wendi says
Hi friend!! Yes we will absolutely plan something soon, like in the fall when it’s not so blazing hot outside! I’ve wanted to meet you for a few years now! Let’s touch base soon and put it on the calendar:) Thanks so much for your visit & glad you like my little bench:) I have another fun bench project to share this coming week with a completely different theme!
Megan says
Such a fun beachy makeover! I love the quote. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Wendi says
You’re welcome & thanks so much for hosting your great party:)
Stacey Keeling says
That turned out so cute!
Wendi says
Thanks so much Stacey:) I can’t wait until next season when I finish the rest of the outdoor shower! Thanks so much for your visit!
Lauren @ Mom Home Guide says
I love how your stenciled bench came out — it looks so cute and sweet! I am loving stenciled benches right now!
Wendi says
Hi Lauren, Me too! I’m about to bring stencil and paint supplies to a friends to remake her bench this weekend. I love a pretty bench! Thanks so much for your visit:)
Christine Tatum says
That is fantastic!
Wendi says
Hi Christine & thank you! It was a simple project but sometimes they turn out the best:) Thanks so much for your visit!
handmade by amalia says
Such a great summer project, who doesn’t like the beach?
Amalia
xo
Wendi says
Hi Amalia & thank you! I couldn’t resist adding that cute saying. It will be the perfect fit for our outdoor shower too. Thanks so much for your visit!
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This turned out super cute, Wendi! I love the saying and the colors you chose.
Wendi says
Hi Jen & thanks:) I forgot I had that stencil until I was digging in my stencil file looking for inspiration!
gail says
awesome makeover on the old bench Wendi. I love the stenciling-great tips!
pinning!
gail
Wendi says
Hi Gail & thank you! I loved this little bench and except for the top it was sturdy. The cypress base is naturally water resistant. Thanks so stopping by and have a fabulous weekend!!
Patty says
Your little bench is adorable. Life is better at the beach and you are living the dream. Another sign I always thought rang true is Live Longer at the Beach.
Wendi says
Hi Patty & thank you:) I couldn’t resist using this stencil, plus I needed it to fit with the outdoor shower that I’ll share eventually:) Love your saying too! Hope you’re having a spectacular weekend & thank you for visiting!
Lucy @ Patina Paradise says
Sweet makeover and perfect for your coastal home.
Wendi says
Hi Lucy! Thanks so much, the bench turned out cuter than I thought. I wasn’t sure the rustic legs would be OK with the top but they work, so all is good:)
Kim Jones says
Wendi, love how this bench turned out!!! Really cute and beachy! Know you will enjoy using it!
Wendi says
Hi Kim, We will enjoy it! Sam our cat has already claimed it as his perch even though it’s going outside as soon as it cures:) Thanks so much for your visit, it’s been a fun tour this month!
Christy@ Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Very cute, Wendi! I agree… life is awesome at the beach! XO
Wendi says
Hi Christy & thank you! I knew you being the beach girl you are would love this one:) This month’s theme was a fun one:) Thank so much for your visit!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
I cannot argue with you on that point Wendi, and especially when you have such a nice bench to sit on.
Wendi says
Hi Mary.. I could have easily made one that said “Life Is More Colorful In Greece” too and been spot on! LOL We will put this little bench to good use! Thanks so much for your visit & hope your weekend has been a good one!
Lindsay Eidahl says
What a fun bench! I wish we lived closer to a beach!
Wendi says
Hi Lindsay! Thanks so much. I was a bit stumped on how to freshen it up until I found the stencil in my stash:) Thanks so much for your visit & hope your weekend is going well!
Tami @ Curb Alert! says
Oooh I love how the bench turned out, a perfect addition to your patio.
Wendi says
Hi Tami & thank you! Now it will last outdoors since I used the right wood:)
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Life is definitely better at the beach! Your renewed bench pairs beautifully with your gorgeous backyard makeover. Pinning to share 🙂
Wendi says
Hi Marie & thank you! Yes, my poor little bench was in need of a makeover. Initially after I made it I didn’t think we’d have use for it but we do and use it all the time too. At least it looks good now:)
Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says
Life IS Better at the Beach! I Love your bench and how it fits right in on your patio!
Nice work!
Hugs,
Karin
Wendi says
Hi Karen and thank you! I’m happy with how it turned out:)
Paula@SweetPea says
This is perfect for your coastal home. I love the stencil and fun colors that you used.
Wendi says
Hi Paula! Thank you:) It as a good save. The bench was sturdy it just needed a top that could stand up to the outside elements.
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
That bench was in a sad state, Wendi, but you made it so fun and new! You are doing amazing work on your outdoor area. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Wendi says
Hi Larissa and thank you! It was pretty bad and the worst part is that we still had it in the outdoor shower! Thanks so much for the nice compliment on our backyard. It’s been wonderful sitting outside and enjoying it with the “new” look!