Another project conducted by my friend Christelle: this old metal workbench was turned into an industrial style console table.
This a solid workbench with a thick wooden top and 4 casters attached to end of long metal feet. This workbench design is quite strange, especially the casters’ position. May be it allows a studier workbench.
Here are a few pictures of how the workbench originally looked.
The metal workbench was stored in Christelle’s barn for years before she dare upcycling it.
Dust everywhere, paint all over the wooden top and missing drawers. It definitely has seen better days.
Table of Contents
Step 1 – Cleaning & Sanding the Workbench
Christelle first thoroughly cleaned the entire piece. Next step was a vigorous sanding to get rid of all the rust and paint traces.
Here is how the workbench looked after sanding. No paint stain anymore, just the worn out look we like so much remained !
Christelle carefully removed the rust from the structure of the workbench.
Step 2 – Building new drawers and Painting
After sanding and cleaning the piece appeared to be in pretty good condition. The metal color was quite nice so Christelle decided not to paint it.
The original drawers were missing. So Christelle built 3 new drawers using plywood and wood boards.
She then painted the new drawers with 3 different colors: anthracite, grey and cream-white. She then used large stencils to add numbers 1, 2 and 3 on the drawers front. It enhances the industrial look of the workbench. The wooden top and painted drawers were sealed using a clear wax.
Here is the final result. The old rusty workbench is now repurposed as a stylish console table. It could be used as an entry hall table or a side table in your home office.
Supply List for the Workbench Makeover
- Orbital Sander
- 80, 120 and 160-grit Sandpaper
- Paint brush
- Black paint. Our favorite black paints for furniture include Dixie Belle Caviar black Paint (chalk paint) and Rust-Oleum, Eclipse color (milk paint).
- Grey paint: Dixie Belle Hurricane Gray Paint
- Cream-White paint: Dixie Belle Drop Cloth Paint
- Numbers stencils
- Clear Paste Wax
- Industrial Style Drawer pulls
Save it for later!
