Painted Potting Bench

Prized for its usefulness as both working space and an organizational tool, a potting bench can be as decorative as it is useful. Placed on a porch, patio, or deck, the potting bench can be both pretty and practical. Look for this, and other projects to showcase your creativity in Debbie’s book, The Creative Woman.

Materials Needed

• Purchased or Handmade Potting Bench
• Assorted Paintbrushes
• Acrylic Craft Paints - green, light green, blue, light tan
• Water-Based Burnt Umber Glaze
• Graphite Paper and Pencil
• Tracing Paper
• Ruler
• Finishing Sander and Fine Sandpaper or 150-Grit Sandpaper
• Matte Exterior Varnish

Getting Started

Potting benches can be purchased at many home improvement and garden stores or make one yourself. Primitive construction is a decorative plus in a potting bench, so even novice woodworkers can make one as a do-it-yourself project. Plans for potting benches are available at many home improvement stores, or check your local library or the Internet for plans and ideas.

Painting the Potting Bench

1. If the potting bench has been previously painted or stained, sand to remove any sheen and remove sanding residue with damp cloth.
2. Determine placement of each paint color by using the design elements of potting bench as a guide. We chose to paint the back of the upper shelves and the lower shelf with blue paint; the shelf, top, countertop, and fascia board with green paint; and the rest with tan paint. Two coats of paint may be needed for good coverage. Allow paint to dry thoroughly between applications.
3. Trace Vine Leaf Pattern below onto tracing paper. Referring to photo for placement, transfer leaf designs onto fascia board using graphite paper and pencil. Draw a vine to connect leaves. Using light green paint, paint leaves and vine. Allow to dry.
4. To add checks, paint area tan and allow to dry. Measure length of space to determine width of checks. Use a pencil and ruler to mark off checks. Paint every other square with green paint. Allow to dry.
5. If desired, lightly sand all surfaces with a finishing sander and fine sandpaper to distress the paint. This rustic look is perfect for a roughly constructed potting bench. Remove sanding residue with damp cloth.
6. Apply Burnt Umber Glaze to painted surface following manufacturer's directions.
7. Paint or spray on several coats of matte exterior varnish following manufacturer's directions.

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