DIY Vintage Kilim Upholstered Scalloped Wooden Bench

Check out this DIY vintage Kilim rug upholstered scalloped wooden bench that I just made to go at the foot of our bed! I’ve had this vintage Kilim rug I purchased from Etsy a few years ago and haven’t had the perfect project for it until now! When I purchased it I knew the colors would work in my house since it was an earth tone neutral, but I couldn’t imagine it would ever become a bench until now. Want to see how it’s made? Let’s go!

 

Supplies Needed: 

• Vintage Kilim Rug
• Bench Legs, custom order from this shop
• Wood Glue
• Project Foam 1” Thick
• Poly-Fil Extra Loft Batting
• Minwax Wood Finish Water-based Solid Stain
• Fiddes & Sons Furniture Supreme Wax Polish – Antique Brown

Tools Needed:

• Dewalt 18-gauge Brad Nailer
• Dewalt Drill
• Dewalt Jig Saw
• Dewalt Saw Blade Set
• Drum Sanders for drill
• Dewalt Orbital Sander
• Cordless Electric Staple Gun
• Corner Clamps
• Clamps
• Sewing Machine

 

Creating the scalloped frame

 

Print out the single page numbered PDF template on US Letter size paper (8.5 in x 11 in). Lay them out horizontally in number order 1-4. Tape and cut out your scalloped template. Here is also the full sized version of the PDF template.

 

 

Measure the desired length and width of your wooden bench. (I wanted mine to be ??? in L x ??? in W).

 

 

Cut two pieces of the desired length and two pieces of the desired width for the scalloped frame using 1×4 wood boadrs.

For the bench seat: Cut 2 pieces for the length using 2×4 inch wood. Cut another 2 pieces of the width using 2×4 inch wood. Cut 4 pieces of 2×4 inch wood that will go inside the bench seat to reinforce and hold weight.

 

 

For the bench seat cover: Use a piece of plywood and cut it to size to fit the bench seat.

Lay out the scalloped border onto your wooden pieces and trace around it. I used my Dewalt Jig Saw to cut around the entire border, giving it the scalloped edge. I highly recommend using a fresh blade!;

Next, I sanded around the entire scalloped border to smooth out the rough edges. These drum sander drill bits came in handy for sanding all of the curved edges. They can be used with any power drill. And of course, I did a thorough sand on all 4 bench pieces with my Dewalt Orbital Sander.

Constructing the Bench

To assemble the bench we first construct the scalloped bench border, laying out all 4 bench pieces, clamping in place, and securing with nails using my Dewalt 18-gauge Brad Nailer. Next, it’s time to assemble the bench seat. Lay out your bench seat border and attach the 4 sides together. Nail those into place. Next, evenly lay out the 4 remaining bench seat pieces and screw them into place.

Next, lay your plywood bench seat on top and screw it into place.

Upholstering the Bench Seat

Cut your Project Foam 1” Thick to the exact measurement of your bench seat and glue it into place.

Lay your Poly-Fil Extra Loft Batting around the entire bench seat, pull taut and use your Cordless Electric Staple Gun to attach the batting to the bench underside.

Lay out your Kilim rug centered on the bench. I used my laser measuring tool to create a straight line around each side of the bench so I could cut the fabric evenly.

Once the fabric was cut, I flipped it upside down, draped it over the bench again, and pinned the fabric at the corners to make a faux slipcover. Next, I took it to my Sewing Machine and sewed each corner seam to give the bench fabric a crisp structured look. Then I laid the slipcover on top of the bench, pulled taut, and secured it with my Cordless Electric Staple Gun.

Then it was time to add Minwax Wood Finish Water-based Solid Stain to the scalloped bench frame and Bench Legs. Once dried I applied Fiddes & Sons Furniture Supreme Wax Polish – Antique Brown to give it a shine. After polishing the wood I attached the scalloped frame to the bench and attached the 4 bench legs with screws to secure into place.

The Final Reveal

What do you think? Does it give the room a finished touch? Was it worth it? Let me know in the comments!

Project Sources

Vintage Kilim Rug | Bench Legs, custom order from this shop | Corner Clamps | Clamps | Wood Glue | Project Foam 1” Thick | Poly-Fil Extra Loft Batting | Sewing Machine | Minwax Wood Finish Water-based Solid Stain | Fiddes & Sons Furniture Supreme Wax Polish – Antique Brown

Reference Sources:

More info at this highlight: here and here on Instagram.

Room Sources

• Dalton Bed with Harper Side Table
• Loloi Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Sinclair Rug
• Calabria Reggio Table Lamp
• Distiller Metal Arch Paneled Floor Mirror
• Mine are a DIY version: Here!
• Double Curtain Rod
• Jawara Luxury Linen Cotton Curtain Pleated
• Sheets
• Linen Duvet Cover
• Organic Cloud Cotton Quilt
• Organic Cloud Cotton Euro Sham
• Organic Cloud Cotton Sham Se
• Cotton Fleece Blanket, color Suede
• Neutral Hemp hand woven Pillow Cover
• Printed Linen Bolster Pillow Cover
• Wall & Trim Color: Sherwin Williams Intellectual Gray