Before & After: White IKEA SIGURD Bench Gets a Colorful Makeover

Benches have to be the most versatile piece of furniture ever. Even in the tiniest apartment, there’s room to move a bench around to the foot of the bed, along the entryway, or pulled up to a dining room table. And then there’s the endless ways to customize: starting with just four legs and a seat top, like this affordable plain white SIGURD bench from IKEA, anyone can create the perfect piece to finish off a tricky room.

When Alecia and her husband Jon moved into their Chicago apartment, they, like many unsettled renters, opted for neutral furniture that would work in any space and last for years. But when it came time to add in some color, Alecia and Jon customized what they had instead of shelling out for new pieces, starting with this once-basic bench.

Over on the blog, Likes of Us, Alecia shares a detailed tutorial showing how this simple white bench became a rainbow-hued seat for their table (which looks like it doubles as a desk!).

Thanks Alecia!