Look! Customized Storage Bench

Here is some diy inspiration in honor of our January feature, Resolution Renovation. We happened upon this adorable renovated storage bench in the Living Etc. gallery. That Alfie is one lucky kid. Click through for some project tips below the jump...

Start off with a piece you already have or a flea find that needs some tlc. If you don't have either, try the Hennes Storage Bench from IKEA. It's only $99. Lightly sand and prime all surfaces. Paint with chalkboard paint. You can even get chalkboard paint that's magentic. Try this one. Sew up a cushion in a fun patterned fabric and then your let your little one decorate the finished piece with his own chalk designs.

Comments (5)

cute! great idea. I love the tell-tale smudges where "Alfie was here" on the bench :)

Adorable! Does anyone know what fabric that is?

Just a note on the magnetic chalkboard paint - we painted a section of wall in our kitchen with it for our son - and even after 8 coats, it is only marginally magnetic - it works with strong magnets holding a photo or single sheet of paper but that's about it. We got it so he could use his alphabet magnets but they aren't strong enough! And - be careful with clean-up, the paint contains iron filings so if you wash out your brushes or trays in a sink it could mess up the pipes.

Can't you also use magnetic primer under the chalkboard paint? I haven't actually done this, so I don't know if it would work better than the all-in-one paint, but...just a thought.

And that bench looks awesome.

we've used the magnetic primer under the chalkboard paint (numerous coats) and it never quite gets as magnetic as you want it to be. Only strong magnets stick.