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How to Build a Pipe-Leg Upholstered Bench

With just a few pipe fittings, some carpet padding, and curtain panels, you can easily make your own pipe-leg upholstered bench to add a unique and creative flair to any room in your home. Follow our how-to guide to DIY your own customized furniture.

Steps
5
Difficulty
Moderate
Time Required
1Day
Estimated Cost
$$$

What You Need for This Project

Tools

Yellow Dewalt cordless drill

Drill
A set of titanium drill bits of various sizes

Drill Bits
Yellow mitre box with handsaw resting in it

Mitre Box with Handsaw
Safety Glasses

Safety Goggles
Dust mask

Dust Mask
Ear protection

Hearing Protection
Staple gun

Staple gun
Scissors with blue handles

Scissors

Materials

Silver floor flange

(4) 3/4 inch Diameter Floor Flanges
Galvanized pipe tee

(6) 3/4 inch Diameter Galvanized Tees
Galvanized pipe cap

(4) 3/4 inch Diameter Galvanized Caps
Set of galvanized pipes

3/4 inch x 48 inch Galvanized Pipe
Galvanized pipe nipple

(4) 3/4 inch x 4 inch Galvanized Pipe Nipples
Galvanized pipe nipple

(4) 3/4 inch x 6 inch Galvanized Pipe Nipples
Galvanized pipe nipple

(4) 3/4 inch x 8 inch Galvanized Pipe Nipples
Two grommet curtain panels hanging on a rod

84 inch Curtain Panels
Square of carpet padding

(3 yards) 11 1/8 mm Rebond Carpet Padding
Stack of MDF planks

1/2 inch x 48 inch x 96 inch MDF
Furring strip

1 inch x 2 inch x 8 foot Furring Strip
Bottle of Elmer

Wood Glue
Silver screw used for woodworking

Wood Screws
Box of staples that measure 5/16 inch

5/16 inch Staples
Green painters tape

Painters Tape
Can of bronze spray paint

Bronze Spray Paint
Package of canvas drop cloth

15 foot x 4 foot 8 ounce Canvas Drop Cloth

Resources

Make the Base

STEP ONE

Put the Bench Legs Together

Assemble the two end sections of the bench legs and leave the fittings slightly loose (Project Diagram, Drawing 1). Thread each end assembly onto the 42 inch pipe and then stand the bench on a flat surface. Adjust the tightness of the fittings to level the bench and eliminate wobbles.

Person fitting pipe legs together
STEP TWO

Spray Paint the Assembly

Wipe down all of the pipes and fittings to remove any labels and oily residue. Apply two coats of bronze spray paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Man

Make the Seat

STEP ONE

Start Building the Bench

Glue the two MDF seat panels together and then glue the 1 in. x 2 in. x 48 in. rails along the centre (Project Diagram, Drawing 2). Use painter’s tape to secure the parts while the glue dries.

Cut four layers of carpet padding to fit the bench. Stack the padding on the bench and then bevel the top edge with scissors for a rounded upholstery edge.

Close up of person cutting upholstery padding
STEP TWO

Put the Fabrics On

  • Cut the drop cloth and curtain fabric to 28 in. x 70 in. and lay the drop cloth on your work surface.
  • Flip the bench upside down and centre the bench and padding on the drop cloth. Starting in the middle of each side, pull the drop cloth over and staple to the bottom of the bench (Project Diagram, Drawing 3). Then alternate on each side of the bench pulling and stapling, moving out from the centre of the bench on each side toward each end — stop 6 to 8 in. from the ends.
  • Fold under the end and staple each corner. With the four corners folded, wrap the drop cloth over each end and staple. Repeat everything for the curtain fabric.

    • Person stapling upholstery to the underside of a bench
    STEP THREE

    Attach the Base to the Seat

    With the upholstered seat still upside down, centre the pipe base on the MDF. Drill 1/8 in. pilot holes and drive the screws through the pipe flanges.

    Close up of the corner of a bench showing its pipe legs
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    How To Terms

    Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes, and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors, or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures.

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