How to Build a Potting Bench

My goal today was to do something with the 
broken potting table in my yard. 

potting bench with overlay

I wanted to recreate it in a creative and fun way.


It was so wobbly after 10 years outside that I couldn't use it.


My first step was to make the old potting bench more stable with wood strips across the sides and the back. 


I had to put the bottom shelf back on because it rotted off years ago.


affiliate disclaimer



repairing pieces on an old potting table

I added old castors from my workshop to the bottom of each leg.
castors on the bottom of the legs

The original drawer bottom was gone so I screwed the drawer together and added a new bottom.
cut board to fit in drawer

I had an old gate in the yard that I trimmed to the size of the table and attached to the top using a lot of supports and L brackets!
picket fence piece on back of table

Next came the paint, a watered down white wash. 


When that dried, all the flat surfaces got a coat of Poly.  

I added a "Le Jardin" sign to the front and an old window to one side.
potting bench painted white

I added a galvanized bin on the other side.
galvanized seed holder

I had fun adding all kinds of funky hinges, hooks and knobs to hang the tools.
picket fence with hooks and knobs


 I added slate tiles to create a work surface on the top.
slate tile top

Then the new drawer got a pretty toile liner.
drawer with toile liner

I found the original tray for the little hidden soil holder under the lid.
green tub for soil in top of bench

This old potting bench never looked so good!


Recently I made another potting bench with pressure treated lumber. 


And an indoor potting bench with copper accents. 
white potting bench with planters and hanging accessiories
white potting table with accessories

Any way you like your potting bench, I am very ready for planting this year!
Materials used: 

pieces of old fence

an old table

window

hooks 

1x8 board for shelving

1x3 boards for shelving and supports

castors

white paint

Polycrylic sealer


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Homeroad
Homeroad

I am Susan, the author and creator at Homeroad. I am a wife, mother of 4 daughters, and a grandmother of 5 and counting. I am a retired teacher, a DIY blogger and an artist at heart. .

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Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 19, 2012 at 8:00 PM

    WOW! love it!!!

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  2. UnknownMarch 19, 2012 at 8:26 PM

    how cute is that! LOVE the convience of everything on it.
    lauren

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  3. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsMarch 19, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    Come to Ohio and build me one, Susan! : ) I want a potting bench type table for my sunroom and I'm thinking I may have to go the "build it" route.

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  4. KarlaMarch 19, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    I love this. It's so cute. I'm aching to have one of these in my backyard.

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  5. ANNEMarch 19, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    Fabulous! and on wheels too, I love wheels :) Great job Susan!

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  6. Korrie@RedHenHomeMarch 19, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    Susan, I *love* this! I love anything on wheels, you know--but I think my favorite part are the fun "bits" you added for hanging things! Very clever and cool.

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  7. JaneMarch 19, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    You are so creative!! That is a fabulous redo of your potting bench. The pieces and parts you added were pure genius!! I love it!
    Jane

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  8. PamelaMarch 19, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    I love it, I will have to bookmark this the for the next potting bench I build! Love it.

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  9. UnknownMarch 19, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    Wow! this is wonderful :) Great job!!

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  10. GailMarch 20, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    What an awesome make-over Susan! I love it!!

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  11. CherylMarch 20, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    Great job, I love it!

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  12. Okio B DesignsMarch 20, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    That truly looks like the perfect potting bench! I love the Jardin sign and the galvanized pieces. I'm sure you'll get a lot of use out if now that the weather is getting better and better!

    Jeanine

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  13. Sandi @ The Primitive SkateMarch 20, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    I Love it Susan, wonderful job!

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  14. coastal femmeMarch 20, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    Oh Susan, I love this renovation. The use of the gate fence, the white wash, the jardin sign and all of the little details make it a unique outdoor piece of furniture.

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  15. Cassie BustamanteMarch 20, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    susan i LOVE this! so cute! i love all the hooks and the fresh paint!

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  16. UnknownMarch 20, 2012 at 4:53 PM

    I love it! Wish I had one! Come and follow me back! Joann

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  17. TamiMarch 20, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    That is great! I LOVE your blog!

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  18. chateau chicMarch 20, 2012 at 11:37 PM

    Great potting bench!!
    I'm a new follower, Mary Alice

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  19. ElisabethMarch 21, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    Love it! Your funky handles for hanging tools on is great. I have an old swing that I'm wanting to turn into a potting bench. Do you really find them useful or are they mainly for looks?

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    Replies
    1. HomeroadMarch 21, 2012 at 8:11 AM

      If you garden you will use it, it's a great place to get dirty. The soil, pots and tools are all in one place. When you aren't using it as a potting bench you can use it for a table or bar for entertaining (the hooks will make a great place to hang the wine opener!)
      Mine is right on the deck! Very handy!
      Susan

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  20. JessiMarch 21, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    A fabulous redo! Love the backing you added and all of your little details, especially the galvanized addition on the side. Happy Spring!

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  21. BlissMarch 21, 2012 at 1:48 PM

    Well this puts the thing I pot on to shame! My fav..... the galvanized bins. Ok, I like the window too. The sign on the front as well. And the gizmo's and gadgets for hangers, awesome. Yeah, you made a winner. Homerun, not homeroad!

    ~Bliss~

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  22. UnknownMarch 21, 2012 at 6:56 PM

    WOW! You really resurrected that table. Super sweet! All the galvanized stuff is awesome too... Now get digging!

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  23. Susie M. March 21, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Hi Susan! You did a fabulous job with this bench!! So awesome!!

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  24. Shannon FoxMarch 22, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    That is fantastic garden bench! I love it. My hubby and I keep talking about building one, but we get so wet and rainy here in Oregon, I fear it wold only last a season or two before it was dust. LOL. Yours is awesome!!

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  25. UnknownMarch 22, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    Love it! It is so cute...great job!

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  26. reFresh reStyleMarch 22, 2012 at 3:50 PM

    I want one! Love it!
    Debbie

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  27. AnonymousApril 1, 2012 at 9:04 AM

    I love this! It makes me wish I had an old potting bench to fix up!

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  28. TracyMB @ Crows Feet ChicApril 14, 2012 at 11:37 AM

    WOW - fabulous job!! Love the galvanized bucket bit!! :)

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  29. Funky Junk InteriorsApril 14, 2012 at 2:24 PM

    Oh wow... this is completely amazing! It doesn't even LOOK like you used salvaged pieces! Truly an amazing build.

    Shared on FJI Facebook and pinned for SNS 129. :)

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150770704611141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater

    Donna

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  30. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceApril 14, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Love all the parts and pieces of this--just fantastic!

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  31. Sweet Bee CottageApril 14, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    Hi! Found this on pinterest and I love what you did. Great reuse! You have inspired me to work on updating my potting bench too. Thanks!

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  32. Shari @ turnstylevogue.comApril 20, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    That is spectacular! Thanks for sharing it. I may just have to steal some of your tips. Pinning it today :)

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  33. Holly LefevreApril 22, 2012 at 2:50 AM

    Thant is fantastic. I have always wanted a potting bench...and your is gorgeous!

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  34. RoeshelApril 24, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    What a beautiful job! Function + beautiful! Love it!

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  35. UnknownJuly 5, 2012 at 1:37 PM

    I found your post over on Home Talk. I'm a new follower there and now gfc too. I adore this bench. So smart.

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  36. Kari-AnneMay 20, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    Wonderful & FUNctional!

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  37. Kari-AnneMay 20, 2013 at 12:33 PM

    Wonderful & FUNctional Bench! May I buy it? ;)

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  38. Christine at Little BragsJune 12, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    New Follower....love the potting bench......I just got a potting shed and started to decorate....you just gave me some ideas...will blog about mine this weekend....Christine from http://littlebrags.blogspot.com

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  39. UnknownJune 28, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    So cute, I love it!

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Have a nice day.
Susan