DIY Benches to Match Our Farmhouse Table

We’ve got benches!

I mentioned the other day when I shared the details of our dining room table that we were working on matching benches.  They are done and we finally brought them into the house (photos coming soon!)  I am excited to finally be ready to finally be down to the finishing touches in the dining room!  B and I are so excited about how it is all coming together.  I am getting really anxious to share the space.

As I shared already, we used the plans found here to build our dining room table.  B redesigned how the base is assembled to make it sturdier but the basic dimensions and assembly are exactly the same.  We did add about 12″ to each end of the table top so there is room for a chair at each end, but that is all we changed.

When it came time to do the benches, I didn’t have any plans so B was amazing and was able to “design” matching ones using the height of our dining room chairs.  We based the length off the space from leg to leg on the table.  I also found this blog about very similar benches to match the same table design.

Instead of using 4 x 4 boards, B cut them down to 3 x 3 so the legs weren’t too chunky for the proportions of the benches.  When the bought the white oak for the table, we made sure to buy enough extra for the bench tops.  This made it easier when it came time to do the benches.  As I said, B did cut down the 4 x 4 and 2 x 4 boards to 3″ and then assembled everything the same way he did the table.

Just like with the table, I painted the base of both benches with the same white chalk paint that I ordered from Amazon.  This is what I used on the table legs as well and I’ve been playing around with some other projects around the house as well.  I love the coverage and so far it has been holding up very well!

For the tops of the benches I used the same Wheathered Oak stain applying just one coat by wiping it on with some old rags.  I came back over it with a dry rag to soak up any excess and even out the coat.  The white oak boards we used are beautiful on their own, but I wanted to give the wood a little more of a gray / weathered / aged look.  I only needed one, light coat of stain to create the look I wanted.  Once the stain was applied evenly, I allowed the stain dry for 24 hours and then applied two coats of the same sealer we used for the floors.

B has been out of town for work and made me text photos to show him the finished benches.  They look amazing and I cannot wait to put the finishing touches on the space and get final photos of everything to share.