Primary Bedroom || How to Make a DIY Custom Built-In Bench Cushion (in 5 easy steps)

It’s the half way point of the 8 week One Room Challenge and I am definitely starting to see some progress in our primary bedroom. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been reminded why I never tackled this space before- there really is SO much to deal with! I absolutely love our bedroom and appreciate the size- but I am basically starting from scratch and spending every spare minute on this space. (and there are not many spare minutes these days!) If you missed it, I am giving our primary bedroom a makeover this spring as part of the One Room Challenge. I have loads of plans and pages of to-do lists and only four weeks left to do it. This week it’s all about the built-in seating area.

When I first shared this room- I explained that I was going to break out the room into 4 different zones:

The Bed Nook
The Sitting Area
The Built-In Window Seat
The Dresser Vignette

So I have been focusing on the built- in window seat “zone”. I guess it’s not technically a window seat but this little nook has basically been where things land in the room. It is where I pile clothes to pack for trips. It is where I pile the clean laundry. It is a workhorse- but it has sat in a very sad state for way too long. This built in bench has been BEGGING for a cushion for the last 6 years. I have priced a custom cushion several times over on Etsy and just didn’t want to justify spending $300…

So I am so happy to finally be tackling it… let’s see how I made my own custom cushion for this built-in bench for around $75!

DIY Custom Built-In Bench Cushion

STEP 1: Measure your built-in nook, find some fabric and order your foam. I ordered this foam from Amazon in the 3 inch depth. Looking back I probably could have done the 4 inch but the 3 inch worked great. For my fabric- I grabbed an inexpensive linen style tablecloth from Target. My bench was 22.5″ x 69″ and I do think it would be fun to add some bold fabric here but I just wanted something inexpensive and neutral for now.

SUPPLIES:

FOAM CUSHION – 3 inch (I paid around $40)
Linen Tablecloth (I paid around $20)
Staple Gun
Particle Board Cut to Size (I paid around $14)

STEP 2: Make your “base” for the window seat cushion. I went to Home Depot and found the cheapest board I could. I used particle board for around $14. Have them cut down a piece of particle board to your size needed- this will become the base of your cushion.

STEP 3: Place the foam on the particle board “base” and cut to size. I used my very technical and professional tools from my extensive toolkit… ahem- a serrated knife from my kitchen. It worked like a charm although it was a bit messy.

STEP 4: Cut down the fabric to the correct size. Make sure you steam or iron before you staple.

STEP 5: Layer the base, then the foam, then the fabric. Turn it upside down and use a staple gun to attach it all together.

Voila! A CUSTOM built in bench cushion for around $60! I am still working on the pillows and art for this little nook and the final reveal but it feels great to have another “zone” feel finished.