Making a farmhouse bench has been one of those projects that I have wanted to make for a long time. But have been too scared to. All because of a tool that scared the living daylights out of me!! Can you guess what it is? If you guessed a nail gun you’ve hit the nail right on the head (pardon the pun LOL!) No joke!! They freak me out. The noise it makes and the thought of missing and nail gunning myself was just way out of my realm of possibilities!! That was until I realised that I just needed to put on my big girl pants and get over it! So many projects would be a little easier with the help of this scary tool. Especially for this month’s Farmhouse Hens, where it’s all about benches!

How to make and paint a Farmhouse Bench

 

Supplies needed:

• 4 x Pine Lengths 285mm x 19mm
• Nail Gun – I decided to go with an air compressor with a nail gun attachment because then it can also be used spray paint furniture.  I can highly recommend the RYOBI AirWave. So easy to use and not too loud!
• Nails
• Clamps
• Drill and Wood Screws
• Jig Saw
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint – Wax Puck
• Sweet Pickins Milk Paint – Lantern
• Sweet Pickins Milk Paint – Creamy
• Paint Brush
• Sweet Pickins Milk Paint – Dark Oil Wax
• 120 grit sandpaper
• Fusion Mineral Paint – Coal Black Sample Size
• Foam Wedge
• Begin Each Day Stencil
• Lint Free Cloth

 

 

Step 1 – Taking two of your pine pieces, mark out a triangle 250mm H x  60mm from each side. Make sure they are the same size for both pieces. These will make the legs to your bench seat.

 

 

Step 2 – On the 3rd piece of pine measure 100mm on either end and draw a line. This will be your support beam for your bench.

 

 

Jig Saw Time

Step 4 – Grab your Jig Saw and start cutting along the lines. Save your scraps for another project!

 

 

Repeat for the legs with your Jig Saw.

 

 

 

Step 5 – Get your air compressor set at the correct PSI for your nail gun following the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you are using the correct nails. For this project, I used the 16 gauge nails. On the top part of your bench measure in 100mm as a guide on where to place your legs. Start nailing your bench together by nailing one leg to the top piece of your bench. Then nail in the support beam. Repeat on the other side.

 

 

 

Step 6 – Now that all the nails are in this helps sturdy the bench and make screwing in the wood screws much easier and making the bench much more secure.

 

 

Now she’s all ready to paint!

 

 

Painting Time!

Step 1 – Mix up 1 part warm water to 1 part Lantern milk paint powder for 2 minutes. Then take your brush and start painting. Because the wood is quite porous you will need to 2 paint to coats. If you find that your wood is really soaking up to much paint you can spray on a light coat of shellac. Let dry.

 

 

Step 2 – Using your wax puck rub over where you would like the black to come through when it comes time to distress. Then mix up your Creamy Milk Paint Powder ( 1 part Warm Water to 1 Part Milk Paint Powder – Mix for 2 minutes) and give the bench 3 coats letting each coat dry completely in between.  You tend to need more coats of paint painting light colours over dark colours.

 

 

Step 3 – Using your sandpaper distress to your liking. Lay down your bench flat. Peel off the backing paper and position your stencil in the centre of your support beam. Using an old store card remove any air bubbles and press firmly around the lettering. Load up your foam wedge with paint and begin stencilling. Once dry carefully peel off the stencil. Lightly distress.

 

 

Final step – Using an old brush apply dark oil wax and let sit for 10 minutes. Then using a lint free cloth wipe off the excess wax. Let cure overnight.

 

 

And there you have a Farmhouse Bench all ready to adorn your home!
Be sure to check out below all of the other cool bench projects from my Farmhouse Hen Pals below!
Happy Building and Painting!

Be sure to PIN for later!

 

Easy Farmhouse DIY Entryway Bench

Stephanie at Abbotts At Home! Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

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Make a Chair Bench with Dining Room Chairs

Denise at My Thrifty House! Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

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How to make and paint a Farmhouse Bench

Sam at Raggedy Bits! Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

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Easy DIY Farmhouse Bench Update Using Paint and Drop Cloth

Leanna at FaeriesandFauna! Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

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Refinishing an Old Storage Bench

Tarah at Grandmas House DIY!Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

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5 Quick and Easy DIY Bench Makeovers

Michelle at Our Crafty Mom! Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter