Need ideas for repurposing this old work/ potting bench.

Question

I got this from my sister-in-law. She had it on her patio for several years. It has some cool drawers , a vice and shelves on both ends. Would love to hear some ideas on how to clean it up and use it for a serving area on my patio.

Z · Answer

Wow, that's awesome Laurie. I'd clean it up and paint it a leafy green, leaving the hardware rusty. Personally, I'd probably get a beveled glass top cut for it too.

Vickie Foss · Answer

I Adore this piece! Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Wendell Davis · Answer

I can see it as a beautiful buffet table with a few modifications. The vice would need to be removed.  add a backstop piece and doors for the sides with hidden hardware. (spring Magnetic door catches).  Add a top border mold and/ or apply a wood/wood burn applique to the front.  I would not paint it.  I would sand it and apply a gel stain to get an even color in the existing wood grain.  The top would look great with a resin finish and apply a gloss to the lower parts.  Modify the drawers to install quality drawer slides and add use the wood pulls that are on the drawers now.    I can see it.  I like it.

Donna H · Answer

Can't wait to see the finished product. If glass is too expensive for the top use plexiglass.  We did that for our bow window and it's just as nice.

Irish53 · Answer

I would leave the top the natural wood and paint the open shelves and drawer fronts a color that matches the house.

Redeemwood · Answer

Be careful.... some people (myself included) would kill for a project like this.... keep posting progress!! I am in the clean, sand here and there, touch up stain and finish crowd....

Tudyrunningwater · Answer

clean it up, put a thick piece of glass on top... 'The Most Awesome Kitchen Island Ever' <3

Jeanette S · Answer

Hey, let's not get carried away here! Remember the actor James Bronson who was so craggy looking but sure was sexy because he radiated such a safe, solid feel? This piece reminds me of him! If you want to use it inside, I guess you better do a little botox injections to its craggy face, but were it me, I would clean it up some and love it just as it is!

Michelle Mersdorf · Answer

I am a whitewash kinda girl. Its an awsome piece. Whatever you do with it will be great.

Sheila Miller · Answer

If you are going to put it outside I like the stain idea or rustic look with paint. I can picture your drawers with items for BBQs, silverware, and plates, Is patio covered? I put piece of glass on my table because I already had it left from something else. I love the size of it and would love to redo myself!!! Want to see it finished!!! Rustic metal too.

Pat C · Answer

i would just clean it up and put oil or something on it and use in dining room or in house-too pretty for outside!! lucky you to have that

Kate Colvin · Answer

I would clean and sand it. Then depending on how it looks put a poly coat or two on it with a glass top. Rustic and wonderful! If you need to paint inside the shelves to lighten them up. Leaving it outside? Paint with the same color as your house.

Carol · Answer

I would love to find something like that for a kitchen island. Can't wait to see what you do with it

Laurie C · Answer

Great suggestions! @redeemwood, yes, I want to be careful. I love the look of it as is. It is outside and not really undercover, so it should have some protection.   I will keep posting pictures. Thanks for all the input everyone.

Chris aka monkey · Answer

wow nice sister in law...i would add wheels and just poly acrylic the heck out of it just like it is way cool xx

Sherry Werley · Answer

Industrial wheels would keep with the rustic look.

Creating a Life · Answer

What an awesome piece! Can't wait to see what you do, but personally I wouldn't change it much :)

Joguymo · Answer

You can clean the wood with salt water and a brush and good old elbow strength. It removes the gunk, but leaves the wood still looking old and full of character.

153091 · Answer

Wonderful piece! Someone may have use this for a potting bench, but we purchase one very much like this and it was a work bench in a man's shop;it also had a similiar vice grip on one side. It would finish up VERY nice, after you strip it, lightly sand and then give it wax and buff. Either clean the drawer pulls or buy some with 'old' design look. Just like other answers....don't forget to post it finished!...and I do think it's a workbench.

Dragonfly · Answer

I personally see a great indoor piece. Scrub down with Ammonia and HOT water. Get some Formby's Tung Oil and treat it a couple times. I would love it for an Island in my kitchen!!!

Mary Jo-Bragg · Answer

I love it

Janet Baack · Answer

I have used the ammonia and water mix but added a powdered detergent to it. This mixture does an excellent job cleaning off the dirt and grime. A light sanding is all you need. I like tung oil but have been using a good paste wax instead. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Rhonda Skeens · Answer

Clean it up and use as a potting bench !!

Nikki · Answer

If you have a wookshop this would be a great piece just to work off of! It looks like an old wood working bench to me, looking at the leg vise.

Buster Evans · Answer

If I did ANYTHING to it I would sand it down and refinish it with stain or polyurethane as close to the same color as it is now.. Its a very nice piece with a LOT of character!

Cindy Lehman Reusser · Answer

with a little TLC I would clean it up a bit, seal it with wax or tung oil and use it for a buffet in your outdoor dining room!! Super cool!

Nancy Hatcher · Answer

I think it's beyond hope. I would be happy to take it off your hands ;-}!

Sherrie B · Answer

Don't put it outside, it's too special in character to rot away. Repurpose it as a Kitchen island/work table. Leave the old hardware on it for decor.

Lisa Cuddy · Answer

I agree with the keep it inside posts. You could also scrub it down with TSP. I've found that it works on the dirtiest pieces. Otherwise I would leave it as. If you want to make it beautiful, strip  it down and put a nice stain and poly or wax finish. It's a fantastic piece. Wherever did you find it?

Laurie C · Answer

It was left behind in my sister in laws house, by previous owners. I am loving everyone's suggestions.  I think I am going to use it as a buffet inside my house after all. It needs a bit more cleaning and scrubbing. Then I am going to finish it either with a natural stain and or tung oil or a natural type bees wax finish.   Does anyone have any suggestions for making your own stain?  Here is a current picture. Also going to remove and flip over the board you see on the back for a better back splash. Considering wheels too. Then I could move it outside just for parties.

Need ideas for repurposing this old work/ potting bench.

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Need ideas for repurposing this old work/ potting bench.

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