DIY Bench Cushions

We converted our tall, standing bookshelves into storage benches and made DIY bench cushions to go on top of them! We used canvas drawers in each of the slots to provide storage for our son's toys. We used cardboard, foam, fabric, and a staple gun to make DIY bench cushions.

DIY Bench Cushion, turn a bookshelf into a storage bench using cardboard, foam, fabric, and a staple gun!

We started by cutting out a cardboard rectangle (use particle board for a more sturdy cushion) the size of the bookshelf/bench. Make sure it is a few inches smaller than the bench itself so that the cushion doesn't hang over the sides once completed. We simply used a box cutter, but you'll need power tools if you choose a sturdier wood to use.

We cut the foam into the same size as the cardboard rectangle, again making sure that it doesn't hang over the sides. This is most easily done with an electronic carving knife, but we used a regular carving knife and went slowly to ensure a straight line. (Don't get frustrated with bumpy edges, they actually even out pretty easily once you get to the next step!)

To wrap the cushion in fabric, we laid down the fabric, then the foam, then the cardboard. We folded the fabric up around the edges of the foam and stapled it into the cardboard with a staple gun. Our staples didn't stay in very well, so we glued them and they have held up for almost a year! Using a different type of board would be ideal to hold the staples in place and have a sturdy cushion.

You can secure the cushion to the bookshelf with something like Velcro, but we just set ours on top and it doesn't shift much.

Original article and pictures take http://www.hometalk.com/10978764/diy-bench-cushions site