Staining and Finishing Wooden Bench | Behr

STAINED BENCH

A simple rustic bench, built of 2x4's and stock lumber also provides built in storage with the addition of two pull out wooden crates.

By Kim Six

| The Kim Six Fix

bench with pull out storage crate before and after wood finish applied

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I recently made over my home's back patio in order to take it from an unwelcome and unused space to an outdoor living area where our family and guests would actually want to hang out.

I brightened up the pergola, added a screen around the A/C unit and created a small dining area which made the space inviting and functional. I also knew I had to add seating, but I needed a flexible option that would also provide storage for the kids' toys and gardening tools that are currently being stored on the patio.

When I couldn't find the perfect bench commercially, I decided to build my own. A pair of wooden crates at a thrift store was my inspiration and became the focal point of the whole project.

 

can of Behr all in one weatherproofing finishGive wood the ultimate in protection with BEHR PREMIUM® Transparent Weatherproofing All-In-One Wood Finish. It's available in 3 pre-mixed colors as well as 6 custom colors so you can get the look you want while preserving your valuable investment.

 

By building a simple rustic bench out of 2x4's and stock lumber, I was able to provide pull-out storage using crates without any complicated drawers or doors.

The finished bench features decorative x-style sides and a solid shelf that could be left empty or filled with standard-sized wooden crates, as I did. I sanded down the entire bench to prepare for staining.

To finish the bench, I needed a product that was not only decorative, but also provided weather resistance.

I chose Behr Transparent Weatherproofing All-In-One Wood finish in Cordovan Brown. I loved the dark color and the fact that it provided water resistance made it the perfect selection for a piece of outdoor wooden furniture.

I applied two coats of the weatherproofing finish, which should be plenty to protect the bench from the elements.

I decided to NOT stain the crates, but instead just sealed them with clear polyurethane. I thought the contrast between the dark bench and the light crates would be pretty.

THE BIG REVEAL

I love how it turned out! A beautiful custom bench, that wasn't very expensive, that should stand up to the elements and that accommodates my storage needs.

It was a perfect addition to my newly updated outdoor space. I added a few throw pillows make it even more inviting. It's the perfect mix of functional and beautiful!

CUSTOMIZE & BUY
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What Product Do I Need?
BLACK
BLACK
What sheen do I need?
8 Oz. Sample
1 Gallon
1 Quart
5 Gallon
The following product(s) is required to properly prep uncoated and previously coated concrete surfaces.
Required product
BEHR PREMIUM ALL-IN-ONE WOOD CCCC
$0.00
The following product(s) is required to properly prep uncoated and previously coated concrete surfaces. Only available in store at Home Depot.
Required 3rd party product
BEHR PREMIUM ALL-IN-ONE WOOD CCCC
The 9 in. x 1/4 in. Polyester Adhesive Roller Cover has a hard texture, making it ideal for applying all types of adhesives to smooth surfaces. It can be used for stippling and applying sand paints.
The following product(s) is recommended when a topcoat clear finish is desired.
$0.00
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