How to make an entryway bench from an old door

This is it!!

Buy an old door

This door was from the old courthouse in my town in the 1920's... Deco hardware

Skeleton key hole

Find a big piece of wood you can use for the bench top.

This was a cedar desk with a LOT of polyurethane!

Eventually I got it all off!

...with a hammer and a "chisel"/flathead 😉

Sand it good!

And cut it to size

I cut it to fit around the door, so it would be more sturdy and look more "finished"

Leaving it beat up gives it some character... Also leaves room for errors and makes them look intentional!

Stain that sucker... I like the combo stain+poly.

Then build a basic box with plywood, tack nails, wood glue, and L-brackets for extra support.

I used a piece in the middle so I have two separate storage areas, and it helped support the piece. I also doubled the plywood on the base so my baseboards would fit..you'll see what I mean.

This stuff is tricky, it only worked on one thing, which worked to my advantage in the end.

Paint the door and bench (used valspar crackle, didn't work)

Add coat hooks

Attach bench to door. **bring inside and put it where you want it BEFORE assembly. It may be too big and heavy and awkward to fit through doorway.

Awesome rust-oleum spray, comes in different metal faux-finishes.

Spray hardware. Don't forget to tape off! Actually I did this before I painted door.

Spray hardware...

Cut molding

Paint molding (hey look! The crackle decided to work!) and attach with nails. Add a piece of stained plywood to the top.

Martha Stewart crackle...The bottle on the right is the paint I used on the door.

Applied Martha Stewart crackle with a palette knife

MS applied on beadboard, too. Beadboard attached with finishing nails after cut to size. Just used on the sides of bench.

Shoes in one cubby, basket for purses in other cubby, small basket for keys, sunglasses, wallets, ETC. 😜

Garage before and after 😄