Refinished Potting Bench Tutorial

I have been very busy on my patio for about a week now, working on two different  projects I was determined to do this summer. I was also determined to use supplies I already had on hand and not buy anything new.  I succeeded about 99%. I'm kind of pleased with how my projects turned out; not so sure my body is pleased with what I put it through!  Here's the first project - the one that was a little easier.

Here's the before and after:

I'm almost embarrassed to show that "before" photo!  Here's the steps I took to take my potting bench from ghastly to gorgeous. First, get rid of the junk and assess what needs to be done. 

The wood needed some TLC, so I used a wood cleaner I had left over from another project to clean and condition the wood.  The cleaner also removed some algae on the legs.  Next, some sanding and the bench was ready for painting.

 

First a coat of primer ...

Then a first coat of blue.  Why blue? Because that's what I had, silly! Remember? I'm using what I have on hand.  LOL!

 I have to admit that I usually don't plan my projects to the last detail before I start and I have been known to make decisions on the fly.  After I had the first coat on, I decided I wanted to try a little color-blocking so I pulled out some cream colored paint and made my on-the-spot choices.  That made for a very long day - the sun was going down by the time I finished.

The next day, some finishing touches:  I picked up these cabinet knobs at a garage sale a while back.  I thought they were cute, much cuter than the holes in the bench, don't you think?

I have had these garden pots for several years, although they became blue just last summer when I loaned them out as table decor for my nephew's graduation party.

The watering can was rescued from a neighbor's trash when they moved two years ago, and I spray painted it with Rustoleum Key Lime Ultra Coverage 2X paint.  (Love that paint!)

My one new purchase specifically for this project are the two green bins and the blue bucket, all from the Dollar store!

So ... behold my new potting bench!  Stay tuned for the second half of my project - a much tougher job than this one.

Have you seen its companion: Privacy Wall/Storage Bench?

Linking up: My Repurposed Life.