Crazy Colorful DIY Kilim Bench

Kilim benches ain’t cheap. The most affordable and vibrant kilim bench I came across cost in the mid-$400s and upwards of $1000. Nuh uh, girl. Ain’t nobahdy got time for that. Instead, I got out my thrifty thinking cap, and came up with this crazy colorful DIY kilim bench.

Crazy Colorful DIY Kilim Bench | Upholstered Bench | Jessica Brigham | Magazine Ready for Life

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

– Kilim rug, 3”x 5”
Polyester Foam Squares, 3”x 15”x 17”
Plywood, ¾”-1”x 2’x 4’
Bench legs with 5/16” hanger bolts, 12”-17”
Two 1″x 4″x 40″ pine boards, for support
– Staple gun + staples
Power drill + 7/32” drill bit
X-ACTO knife
Measuring Tape
Pencil
Shears

Recommended
Straight surface plates, 4x
– ZAR Wood Stain in Chestnut (to match support boards to leg color)

Available online sources linked below!

Crazy Colorful DIY Kilim Bench | Upholstered Bench | Jessica Brigham | Magazine Ready for LifeCrazy Colorful DIY Kilim Bench | Upholstered Bench | Jessica Brigham | Magazine Ready for Life

STEP ONE

Gather your supplies. I scored my table legs by procuring a thrifted mid century slat bench on Letgo. I cannibalized the legs and kept the top (of course!!) should I ever decide to change out my upholstered kilim bench legs.

STEP TWO

Lay out your kilim rug in the pattern placement of your liking. Place the high-density polyester foam squares and plywood on top. Cut your foam down to size, if necessary. An x-acto blade didn’t cut it, so I went to town with a chef’s knife. Did the trick.

PRO TIP: Go for luxury—plenty of cushion for that tushion. Ya dig?! Three-inch thick foam does the derriere just right.

Crazy Colorful DIY Kilim Bench | Upholstered Bench | Jessica Brigham | Magazine Ready for Life

STEP THREE

Fold over your kilim fabric on the long side and secure with staples. Once the long sides are secure, cut any excess fabric with shears or an x-acto blade and remove enough fabric from the corner to eliminate bulkiness.

This kilim rug was particularly thick (¼”), which added an extra challenge to pulling the textile taut. Worth it nonetheless!!

STEP FOUR

Secure your 1″x 4″ pine boards to the base along your stapled fabric line. Mark bench leg placement. Legs can be close to the front edge, but make sure to recess the legs length-wise at least four inches on each side. This will create a sturdier base.

STEP FIVE

Pre-drill holes in support boards for your 5/16” hanger bolt table legs with a 7/32” drill bit. The smaller pre-drill will hold the legs taut. Flip over and have a seat, girl. ‘Cause you D-U-N, done.

Lesson learned by this DIYer:

I recommend purchasing straight or angle surface plates (based on your desired leg look) to ensure the hanger bolts are solidly secured to the base in lieu of securing directly into the support boards. The bench legs are bowed in ever so slightly and the plates will ensure the legs stay at a 90° angle. I’ll be adding them to mine!!

Supplies by Source:

High-Density Polyester Foam Squares
Wichita Tribal Kilim Rug
Table Legs (similiar)
Surface Plate
Plywood

Crazy Colorful DIY Kilim Bench | Upholstered Bench | Jessica Brigham | Magazine Ready for Life

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2 Comments

  1. Love it ! Just about to cut up a rug to cover my hall bench….
    Love the sun cushion, too – could you please tell me where it’s from ? Thanks!

    1. Jessica Brigham says:

      Thanks, Sarah!! You’ll have to share before & afters of your craftiness with us all! I believe Justina Blakeney’s Ayo sun pillow has been discontinued, but here’s a similar find!

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