A few years ago I bought an inexpensive leather couch with the thought that it just had to make it through the toddler years at my house, and then we’d invest in a nicer model.
And then the economy crashed.
So hey! We still have our bargain couch! And it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Which is actually fine because it’s held up remarkably well. Yes, it’s cream leather, but any dirt just wipes off with a damp cloth. At this point, I plan to keep it until it falls apart (or we win the lottery).
There’s only one problem.
You see, because it’s a cheap-o sofa, it has the most hideous back. I mean it. It’s hideous. Which would be fine if I had it pushed up against a wall, but the way my living room is laid out, it has to “float” in the middle of the room – thus exposing its unattractive backside to the world. Poor couch.
I decided the solution to the problem would be a pretty bench that could stretch right along the back of the couch and distract from The Ugly. I decided this, oh, at least a year ago, but I haven’t been able to find something in my price range (which is like, $10!). Which is how it came to be that I talked my husband into MAKING me a bench. I mean, how hard could it BE, right?
It turns out, not that hard, but super expensive!
We went to Lowe’s and priced furniture legs. They’re $11 each! And we needed (not surprisingly) FOUR. Plus the wood for the bench PLUS foam and upholstery fabric. Whoa! We’re flying dangerously close to $60!
So I said “forget it” and we headed home from Lowe’s empty-handed. Boo hoo!
Oh but wait! On our way home from Lowe’s we drove past a garage sale. And at that garage sale was a beat-up sofa table with a $20 price tag. Dave talked them down to TEN DOLLARS and we were on our way!
We just cut the legs down to size, added felt to the bottom of the legs, some foam and upholstery fabric and viola! Bench!
Jenny Komenda would be so proud, don’t you think?






