Front Entry Bench

I love an organized garage, so lockers for the area next to the back door were high on my priority list when we moved in.  While I was out of town for a few days, my cute hubby surprised me and built the cutest bench with a place for baskets, a planked back, and hooks for hanging coats and bags. He whitewashed it, which is one of my most favorite ways to refinish wood pieces.  I LOVE it, and it was so fun to come home and see it in my garage.

Except…it was way too cute for the garage.  :)  However, I had been looking for just the perfect thing to go in my front entry.  My poor husband and dad had to move it again, so my mom and I could see what it looked like, and that was it…love at first sight!

I’m sorry I don’t have any plans or pictures of the process…I’m still trying to convince my husband of their importance.  I will tell about one of our favorite ways to make anything “planked”—which we used in this piece, and several others.

Furring strips are pieces of wood (usually spruce) that are about 3/4 inch thick and 2.5 inches wide.  They are also CHEAP, which is what we especially love about them. :)  At our Home Depot, an 8 foot furring trip is just $1.12!!  They can also be used inside or outside, which opens up the possibilities for their use. Do you love the planked signs that are everywhere right now?  Using furring strips is an inexpensive way to make your own!  They will be a little thinner than using a 2×4, but they just as cute, with a slightly different look.

 We use our front door a lot more in this house, and it’s SO nice to have baskets right by the door. It keeps the hall uncluttered (which makes me crazy), and my kids know exactly where their shoes should go.  A place for everything…it makes me happy.  :)

 Front entry?  Check.

Garage?  Starting over!

{kierste}

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