Beautiful Buffalo Check Bench Makeover $6 Thrift Store Find

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This buffalo check bench makeover started out as an outdated golden oak color that I scored for $6 at the thrift store!

Let me show you the easy steps to achieve this classic farmhouse look…

I’m sharing this buffalo check bench makeover as part of this month’s Thrifty Style Team’s challenge.

There are 15 affordable home decorating and craft ideas shared this month by a group of super talented bloggers.

You can check out all of those beautiful projects with the links at the end of this post.

This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Dixie Belle Paint Co.  provided products used in this post, however, all opinions are 100% mine. Please see my full disclosure here.

Supplies Needed for Buffalo Check Bench Makeover

• Dixie Belle Paint – Caviar
• Best Dang Brush
• White Lightning Cleaner
• Gator Hide

You’ll have to excuse my before picture. I was so excited to start painting it! This baby was $6 at my favorite thrift store.

Other than the outdated golden finish, it was in great shape. Benches are one of those things that I love to makeover.

They are so versatile and also very useful in your home. I’m in the process of refinishing a kitchen table and plan to use this bench on one side of the table, rather than chairs.

My kitchen has black countertops making a little buffalo check detail perfect for this space.

Instructions for Bench Makeover

Clean the bench

The first thing I do with any piece of thrifted furniture is to give it a good cleaning. For this bench, I used white lightning cleaner.

This stuff is amazing! I just used an old t-shirt for cleaning.

Paint the bench

 

Next up, I gave the bench 2 coats of Dixie Belle paint in caviar, using the best dang brush. If you are looking for a paint brush that you will use again and again, this brush is it!

Caviar is a true matte black, and the best part is no prep, other than cleaning, was needed. The coverage of this mineral paint is amazing.

With any dark color you definitely need 2-3 coats of paint to achieve a uniform finish.

This picture is after just one coat. It’s best to let the paint dry overnight.

Stencil the bench

Now, it’s time for the pretty farmhouse style buffalo check detail. Place the stencil in the center of the bench.

Add a little painter’s tape to each end of the stencil. The stencil I used included two pieces that was just about the exact length of this bench. Don’t you love when things work out like that?

To save time I used a small paint roller to cover the stencil with white paint. It’s best to use a minimal amount of paint when stenciling to prevent bleeding.

I’ll share a tip for cleaning up any paint slip ups at the end. 🙂

 

Once you finish the center stencil painting, slowly remove the stencil. Let dry prior to finishing the next area for painting. I tend to be impatient, so I use my Wagner heat gun to speed up the process. 

 

Clean up any bleeding

Line up one row of the stencil with the painted row and finish stenciling. 

And, here’s my tip for cleaning up any bleeding or mishaps – q-tips! They are inexpensive to use and work great for small spaces.

Just add a tiny bit of paint and touch up the areas. They work great for small corner spaces that you can’t reach with a paint brush too!

Seal the paint

The final step is to seal the paint. I chose to use Gator Hide. I’ve heard so many great things about this product, but had never used it.

I get what all the fuss is about, it’s great! Not only does it protect your furniture, but it’s water repellent.

As this bench will be in my kitchen and drinks will undoubtedly be spilled, that’s a plus!

Time to decorate with your pretty, new to you, buffalo check bench.

 

You may notice a little something on the legs. At the last minute I decided to add silver metallic paint to the bottom few inches of each leg.

It gave it a little bit of glam that I just love. For now this bench sits in my hallway until I finish the kitchen table. I’ll be sure to share photos when it’s all set up in the kitchen. 

I hope you enjoyed this $6 bench makeover. It really was a score, especially after seeing the results. 

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Visit the talented bloggers below to see their thrifty home projects. You will not be disappointed!

Redhead Can Decorate – Old Martini Glass Repurposed into Q-Tip Holder

Our Crafty Mom – Buffalo Check Bench Makeover

DIY Beautify – No Cost Decorating Tips

2 Bees In A Pod – 12 Fall Decor Items To Buy At The Thrift Store

The How To Home – Simple Seashell Centerpiece

Vinyet Etc. – DIY Decor Beads From a Thrifted Beaded Seat Cover

Sweet Pea – Easy Upcycled Twine and Lace Cans Craft

What Meegan Makes – Late Summer Tablescape In Pink

Cottage At The Crossroads – Thrifted  Peat Pot Pumpkin Holder

Postcards From The Ridge – 29 Creative Ways to Repurpose and Upcycle Things for Your Home

Lora B. Create & Ponder – Fun Vintage School Decor Ideas

The Tattered Pew – 5 Simple Ways To Decorate With Flea Market Finds

I Should Be Mopping The Floor –Garden Gift Ideas and Tags

Chas’ Crazy Creations – Vintage Drawer Pulls Jewelry Hanger

Cottage On Bunker Hill – Anthropologie Dupe Moss Wreath

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