Convertible patio furniture- beverage station to potting bench

Repurpose a Hutch and Desk Into A Double-Duty Potting Bench and Beverage Station

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Convertible patio furniture- beverage station to potting bench

I made this potting bench that converts to a beverage station as a birthday present for my mom.
She has always had a knack for growing things. Not only did she grow a couple of pretty cute kids 😉 but she’s also been blessed with a green thumb. Too bad the green thumb has not been hereditary. Her birthday is right around the corner so I wanted to surprise her by making a potting bench by repurposing the top of my great-grandmother’s hutch and the desk I used when I was a little girl.
before hutch and deskMy mom’s back porch is everyone’s favorite hang out when we go to visit her and my stepdad. Since my mom is hosting our next family reunion, I thought it would be a great idea to make the potting bench work double-duty by being able to convert it to a beverage station come time for the reunion.
Convert a desk and hutch into a beverage station

DIY Refreshments Sign Tutorial

I started off by giving both pieces of furniture a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White. I found the wooden wine glass rack on Amazon and it fits perfectly. It was spray painted with Rust-Oleum’s white primer. My mom loves turquoise almost as much as I do, so I painted the back of the hutch with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in 2 parts Provence and 1 part Florence.
Repurposed desk and hutch made into a beverage station
After that, I watered down the left-over turquoise paint and gave both pieces of furniture a blue-wash. The term blue-wash was totally made up, but it’s simply brushing on the watered-down blue paint then wiping some it off with a slightly damp rag. I love the way the turquoise paint highlights the details on the desk. After lightly distressing, the desk and hutch were protected with a couple of coats of exterior polyurethane.
Beverage station made from a hutch and desk.
Aren’t the blue glass knobs adorable? These are the same blue knobs I used in my hall bathroom makeover. I found them at World Market but I changed the metal from old-brass to pewter with some Rub n’ Buff so they would match the galvanized metal bottle opener.
A jig saw was used to make a hole big enough to slip a 10 quart chafing pan inside for holding ice and beverages. You can find the pans at a local restaurant supply store or online here. When ice is in the pan, there will be condensation so seal the exposed edges of the wood with an outdoor polyurethane. I added a shelf underneath the desk so I can replace the wine box with a drip pan to catch the condensation.
Hole cut for beverage and ice holder
When the party’s over, the beverage station converts to a potting bench! I made a simple tray from the remaining shelf, stained it and added some screen door handles. This covers up the beverage holder and gives my mom a flat surface to work on. She can hide extra tools or potting soil in the pan.
A potting bench that converts to a beverage station.

Convert a desk and hutch into a potting bench

For the tools she uses often, I cut down a 1/4″ dowel rod, slipped the rods in the wine glass rack and hung some S-hooks.
Dowel rods and s-hooks hold tools
The dowel rods also hold buckets from Hobby Lobby for seeds.
Dowel rods and s-hooks hold garden tools and buckets

Here’s the lovely view from my mom’s covered porch where we spend much of our time when we go visit. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees her new potting bench / beverage station that I repurposed from her grandmother’s hutch my old desk. And I have to admit, I’m really looking forward to filling the ice bucket with some frosty beverages and relaxing with my family on the back porch. Mom, if you’re reading this…surprise and happy (early) birthday!!!

covered porch

To see another double-duty DIY project, come check out the monogramed artwork that cleverly conceals the doorbell.

 

Like the Refreshments sign? See how I made it by repurposing a door kick plate by clicking this link!

 

Tricia signature

This project has been featured on Homestories A to Z!

Sharing with some of my favorite blogs such as:

Unique Junktique

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16 Comments

  1. Wow, your station are looks so beautiful and amazing. I realy like it. I want to share them on my page.

    1. Thank you, Jerry! As much as I’ve been painting everything white these days, I crave color in my life. I’m glad you stopped by!

  2. An adorable repurpose for sure, pinning it love the color combo and design creativity. Come over to my blog and share it at Fridays Furniture Fix!

    1. Thank you, Brenda! Sorry I missed Friday’s Furniture Fix but I’ll stop by there later this week. Thanks for the invite 🙂

      1. So Happy you came on over I really love this dual purposed piece, I’m sure your Mom will adore it. A wonderful handmade birthday gift that will look fabulous on that stunning view of a porch! Your project is this weeks feature!

  3. I’m so glad I found your website! I love the ideas and the exceptional results of your ideas! Thanks for sharing!

  4. I’ve missed your posts!
    I am in love with your potting bench. Beautiful job!

  5. Wow, Tricia! I love this idea. I’m planning to make a potting bench this season incorporation some wood from my husband’s old toy box….. I just don’t quite have the vision for it yet. Your potting bench is very inspiring!

  6. I’m SOOOOOOOOOO glad you’re back!
    I love love love this and wouldn’t be surprised if it was featured in Country Living or BHG magazines!
    You have been busy being creative and you inspire me to brush off some of my things and re-think and re-work them.
    Happy Birthday to your mom!I’m sure she’d say that you were one of her best gifts 🙂
    HUGS and blessings to you as you make your home!
    <3

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