Turning Vintage Side Tables into Upholstered Stools

One of my (other) favorite projects from Abbey's apartment was these oversized stools we made from vintage side tables.


We knew we wanted a pair of stools or benches in her large living room to provide extra seating in a pinch, or just a place to put your feet up. I saw these side tables at a junk store in Staten Island and thought they would work perfectly if we could upholster them. I loved the octagonal shape!



I had picked up a couple of yards of this vintage stripe fabric years ago in Philadelphia's fabric district. I still really love this fabric - all the unexpected color combos! Abbey and I both thought the stripe would be perfect for these benches, piped in a hot pink cotton.



Finished, they were taller than most stools (a little taller than chair height), but that was something I liked about them, and Abbey's living room was plenty large enough to house the pair. So if you're hoping to take on a similar project, just be mindful of the height of your side tables to begin with. You'll  end up adding two or three inches of height in foam and fabric after upholstering.


I think if I could have my way, every room would have a pair of little stools somewhere. They are so cute and functional! Have you DIYed or rehabbed any benches or stools? Off the top of my head, I can remember bench projects here, here, here, here, here and here (honorable mention here). I'd love to see your favorite pair!



Top photo via Abbey's house tour featured on Cup of Jo.
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30 comments:

  1. MelanieOctober 10, 2012 at 1:50 AM

    Love it! Hope to find some tables for myself and give them a transformation!

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  2. smidge girlOctober 10, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    These are adorable! I love the fabric. I have long legs, so I always appreciate seating that's a little higher. :)

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  3. LaurieOctober 10, 2012 at 3:50 AM

    Fantastic! Love the stripe fabric.

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  4. Kristin SmithOctober 10, 2012 at 6:49 AM

    I love the stools, and the piping on the upholstery, and the curtains! What is the fabric on the curtains?

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  5. Lauren @ Craft My Life AwayOctober 10, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    I have thought A LOT about this! I desperately need stools in our new house, but can't find the right pair at the right price. Yours look GREAT! I am just getting into upholstery, so I am pretty much just making cushions. Now, is the piping actually sewed onto that cushion? Or is it more like welting and attached after the fact?

    Thanks. Love this blog, so glad you are back!

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  6. Kim@OfAllTheFishOctober 10, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    Hi Jenny, I love these stools! I actually upholstered a pair of side tables into stools for my guest room. You can read about them on my blog here: http://www.ofallthefish.com/home/2012/5/30/post-235-1.html

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  7. charmaineOctober 10, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    Love the shape and fabric! They are adorable!
    I've turned a parson style side table from target into an upholstered bench. I have yet to make another one.
    http://mybestfriendcraig.blogspot.com/2012/09/diy-parson-style-upholstered-bench.html

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  8. maggieOctober 10, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    I love these stools. Great idea using the side tables!

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  9. AnonymousOctober 10, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    My favorite stools actually came from you! I picked them up at the sale you had in Arlington a few years ago! Red metal with leopard (RL I think) fabric.

    I have them in my living room and never fail to make me smile!

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  10. AnonymousOctober 10, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    My favorite stools actually came from you! I picked them up at the sale you had in Arlington a few years ago! Red metal with leopard (RL I think) fabric.

    I have them in my living room and never fail to make me smile!

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  11. KateOctober 10, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    Ohmygosh I am obsessing over the coffee table. It is exactly what I have been searching for. Any thoughts on where I can find something similar???

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  12. My Interior LifeOctober 10, 2012 at 10:06 AM

    I often think about upholstering side tables but haven't found the right ones yet. I got some thrift store benches reupholstered a while back and they make me very happy.
    http://myinteriorlife.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-and-improved.html

    Oh, also, I saw the malachite fabric on the pillow on the chair. Is that the Spoonflower pattern? I just ordered some samples for a rope chair I found. How do you like the quality? And of their fabric content options, which one did you choose? I got cotton poplin samples and while I love the pattern, don't love the texture. Thanks!

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  13. Tiffany LeighOctober 10, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    Such a unique idea! I love the way yours turned out. The piping was the perfect finishing detail!

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  14. john in ncOctober 10, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    clever-
    i am actually getting ready to turn two stools into side tables-
    lol

    john in nc

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  15. Becca - Rebecca Atwood DesignsOctober 10, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    I love these! What a fantastic project. Thank you for highlighting it.

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  16. Elisa @ fancyfreemeOctober 10, 2012 at 11:58 AM

    Great fabric choice, I love it mixed with the octagonal shape.

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  17. FrankiOctober 10, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    What a cool idea. Love the shape of those tables - what era are they? I'm guessing 60s... ?

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  18. Jennifer@The Chronicles of HomeOctober 10, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    Really interesting finished project, very unique! For the piping, did you sew it or make the welting and then glue it on?

    I DIY-ed a pair of X-leg benches for my living room a couple months ago and love the way they came out. You can see the tutorial here if you're interested: http://www.thechroniclesofhome.com/2012/08/tutorial-for-diy-x-leg-upholstered-bench.html

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  19. Ivy LaneOctober 10, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    very clever! and that coffee table is pretty fantastic!

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  20. Lemon MacaronOctober 10, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    Another great DIY, Jenny! I actually recovered a little lucite vanity stool which was inspired by yours so I could have a place to sit while giving my daughter a bath. Here's a link if you want to check it out!

    http://lemonmacaron.blogspot.com/2012/07/diy-upholstered-lucite-vanity-stool.html

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  21. CamilaOctober 10, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    Perfect! I've always wanted to do that, but have never had the opportunity to tackle that project with a client.

    It looks great!

    What junk shop did you go to? Was it every thing goes? Doesn't look like it, but I haven't been there in awhile and itching to make a trip back to S.I. to check out the thrifting!

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  22. classic • casual • homeOctober 10, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    You are brilliant!!!
    Such vision. Love the fun colors, too!

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  23. UnknownOctober 10, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    What a fab idea! Love the fabric :)
    Lianne x
    rubyrubyslippers.blogspot.com

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  24. UnknownOctober 10, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    Love this - I'll be looking at side tables in a whole new way now - thanks for the inspiration!

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  25. tell it to your neighbor!October 11, 2012 at 7:11 AM

    Love this! Such a unique and creative idea! I've been wanting a bench at the end of my bed, I could do this with a vintage coffee table, thank you!
    Erica

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  26. JennaOctober 11, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    Loveee the stools! And the apartments is super cute too :)

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  27. wmbg.October 11, 2012 at 2:32 PM

    those look perfect. the unique shape adds to the charm. i could really use a pair like these for my living room!

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  28. Gabbi @ Retro Ranch RenoOctober 11, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Absolutely love the side table makeover! I just made over a bench that I found on Craigslist. It lives at the bottom of our bed now and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out! You can see it here if you want...
    http://retroranchrenovation.blogspot.com/2012/08/move-over-west-elm.html

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  29. BrittneyOctober 12, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    Perfect stripe, if you ask me. Adds an unexpected punch to the room without being overpowering.

    Since you asked...I took an old coffee table and turned it into a padded bench. http://smartgirlstyle.blogspot.com/2012/09/coffee-table-turned-padded-bench.html

    Glad you're feeling better...or at least faking it to make the rest of us feel better. :)

    -Brittney
    http://smartgirlstyle.blogspot.com

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  30. RETROSMITH.October 24, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    Wow how fitting! I've just been doing the same thing! Love the stripes and the shape is fantastic! They'd be nice & sturdy too. This is the DIY I just did! Same concept in a very different style: http://theretrosmith.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/diy-side-table-makeover.html

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)