The Creative Thrifted Chair Upcycle That Will Add Style To Your Entryway

Older wooden chairs have a certain amount of charm and carved details not frequently found in newer models made from less expensive materials or designed in a more streamlined modern style. This means these older chairs are perfect for adding character to any space. While not all chairs weather the years in perfect shape, there are many different ways to upcycle and repurpose old chairs in your home that have seen better days. One project from a YouTube DIYer, South House Design, creates an adorable country-chic style wall shelf for an entryway using the back of the chair. The resulting shelf not only looks beautiful, but can help clear entryway clutter by offering a surface perfect for resting a bowl with keys, décor, and other small items. This mounted shelf can make a small entryway feel bigger than when using a traditional console table that takes up valuable floor space.

You can find these older chairs aplenty in places like thrift stores and flea markets, usually at a bargain price. Look for chairs that have damaged legs or may not be good for sitting on that you can take apart for this project. Or seek out pieces with intricate carving and woodwork details that fit your aesthetic.

Begin by disassembling the chair entirely, by removing the hardware and separating the base and legs from the back support, which is the part you will be using for your shelf. Use wood filler or putty to fill any visible holes or gaps. To create the shelf, use a piece of plywood cut into a semicircle shape with a diameter equal to the bottom of your chair back. You will need to measure and cut notches into this semicircle to accommodate the chair rails on either side so that they easily slide in. Use wood glue and brad nails to attach the two sections together. For another fun project using the rest of the chair later on, try using the bottom of the chair and its legs as a mounted double shelf.

You can paint or stain your new shelf as you wish to fit your décor, including the video's chic black painted matte finish and stained shelf. Paint it a bold or pastel shade for a cottage-style accent or create a distressed white finish for farmhouse-inspired interiors. You can sand and stain both chair and shelf in the same finish for a cohesive look.

There are many ways to customize this project, including using a rectangular shelf instead of a rounded one or adding some cup hooks along the top rail of the chair to hold keys, sunglasses, pet leashes, or other items. While this version was made to help make the most of a small entryway, the project would work perfectly elsewhere in your home. Use a shelf for extra bathroom storage or add a matching pair of shelves in the bedroom to serve as nightstands for a small space.