Turn a Cedar Chest Into a Window DIY Bench Seat

Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

When I was 16 I received a “Hope Chest” from my parents. That’s what we called them back then anyway. It’s just a cedar chest for teens to keep special things in, which is what I used it for. I still have it and  it’s filled with keepsakes from childhood and teen years and also includes my wedding dress I made myself. The chest is a heavy bugger and it’s followed Roy and I through 40 years of marriage and dozens of homes. I’ve always found a spot to put it in each house. However, in our current small home, after redoing things, I found myself with no place it would fit. It was shoved in the hallway blocking traffic as I pondered what I would do.

Then my daughter Jennifer came out for one of her visits. She was redoing a few things in my house (its nice to have a free personal decorator) and the next time I walked into the living room there was my cedar chest sitting in front of the big front window. I looked at it and thought…. “Why didn’t I think of that?” For one thing it makes a nice little window seat but the real reason I loved it was because it gave Oliver and Barnaby the ability to sit and look out the front window. All I needed was to pad the top somehow.

Now, I’ll admit I didn’t take great care of the chest through the years and it was pretty dirty and marked. Still, I didn’t want to paint it, drill holes in it or change out the original knobs.  I wanted it kept as it was when I received it all those years ago. Just cleaner… and with a padded top. So we brain stormed how to attach a pad without screws and came up with the idea below.

DIY Bench Seat Supplies

Board Base Notes: I wanted a firm base that I could attach the Velcro to and also staple my fabric to which is why I use a board base rather than doing a bunch of sewing.

Instructions

This is my hope chest. Needs a good cleaning. Notice the slider things under each corner to help us move it. Many memories are held inside this chest.

Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

The supplies to make a seat cover are minimal.

Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

We could not find poly foam in a longer sheet so purchased two this size. 1″ would have also worked. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Mark your foam to fit the board.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Use a ruler or straight edge of some sort and mark where you will cut then cut with scissors.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Measure the first to the second piece if you were not able to get the foam in a single sheet.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Place the fabric print side down. Align your foam on top and in the center.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Place the wood on the foam.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.Trimming the material, as needed we folded over the very edge and stapled it in place on one end first. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Pulling the material taut, do the same on the other end. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Next you will do the sides. Make a nice corner square. Most importantly KEEP THE MATERIAL NICE AND SNUG AS YOU GO. Otherwise you’ll have wrinkles on the top. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

One end finished.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Roy trimming as needed before folding it under for stapling. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Stapling the remaining sides, again keeping the material taut. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

We decided to take a scrap piece of material to go over the wood section so it wouldn’t add scratches.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Next we cut our extra duty Velcro pieces to fit. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

They were sticky back. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

We still added some staples to give them a good hold. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

We then placed the bottom two Velcro pieces in place on the chest. This was before I did cleaning and  touch-up work on the front and sides of the chest itself.  Old English does an amazing job at covering scratches and marks. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

We just let the adhesive do the job on the bottom part. It was pretty strong.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

It’s now ready to set the top onto.Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

Make sure your Velcro lines up well. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

The finished  DIY bench seat. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

The dogs love it and don’t slide off now when they jump up. Plus people can sit on it too, of course!Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows. Turn a cedar chest into a window seat by making a removable DIY bench seat for it that attaches with no nails or screws. Also for pets to look out windows.

6 Comments

  1. Linda Sanders

    Perfect!! Just what I was looking for. I inherited my grandmother’s lane cedar chest and have been trying to figure out a way to turn it in to a window seat without damaging it. This has answered my question thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  2. Gwendolyn Murray

    I inherited my mother’s Lane cedar chest. It’s the waterfall style, made in the 40’s. I love this piece and will never give it up. I’ve never even sat on it because I was afraid I would hurt it. I love your crafty idea. It turned out lovely. Thanks for the share.

    Reply
  3. Leisa

    Hi Nancy!! This post has been my LIFESAVER!! My family has a generational living situation. In other words, I love with my kids and their families. My room is in the basement. The rest of it became a ‘storage’ area. When we decided to clean it up, I had two pieces of furniture that I just couldn’t party with. One of which was my hope chest. I had the idea to make it into a window seat but truly couldn’t figure out a way to do so without damaging it.
    THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS TUTORIAL!!

    Reply
    1. Nancy Author

      I’m always thrilled to hear that Leisa. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Our goal is to inspire so when we do that we’re pretty happy. Good luck with your project and thanks so much for visiting our site!

      Reply

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