Creative upcycler makes bench + shelf for FREE with bed found on Facebook
- Hellan Pearce, 56, picked up a bed for free from Facebook Marketplace
- She soon transformed it into a garden bench and a shelf
- The transformation didn’t cost Hellan a penny
If your income has taken a hit due to coronavirus but you need to buy furniture for your house, take inspiration from this savvy upcycler.
Hellan Pearce, 56, is a former payroll manager from Melksham, Wiltshire, who is just about to start her own DIY business.
Hellan picked up a free bed on Facebook Marketplace, and soon used her DIY skills to turn the piece into a garden bench and shelf - all totally for free.
Hellan, who has six kids and three grandkids, told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: "I saw the bed advertised on Facebook and thought it would be great to turn into a bench for the garden as we've had our current bench for years and it was rotting on the legs. My hubby wasn't convinced and thought I was mad.
"We picked it up adhering to social distancing rules. The headboard made a perfect back for the bench and the size was great too. I cut the bed end down to the size of the bench arms I'd decided on: roughly 18 inches each.
"I used all the fixings that came with the bed and I just had to drill new holes to attach too. I used the slats as the bench seat which were the right size as the bed and bench were the same width.
"Easy! Then I painted them to match the rest of our garden furniture.
"I had some slats left over and had an idea of a shelf I wanted. We had recently bought a blow torch as my hubby thought it would be good to bring the grain out in the wood.
"I used this on the pine slats after cutting to random shapes that I liked. I decided on the width and how many shelves I wanted.
"The slats were held together at the back with two pieces of wood screwed across, which the shelf can be hung with too.
"The shelves were attached with screws too. Then it was varnished. The effect using the blow torch is beautiful.
"I had two lovely things made from a free bed! There are still a few slats left, so watch this space."
Hellan says this sort of project is an ideal way to flex your creativity during the lockdown.
“Personally, I love making new things from old and all the better when they are cheap or free,” she adds.
"It keeps me busy and I hardly even remember we're in lockdown as I always have something new to design and make.
"Facebook is a great source to find items that can be transformed easily and at hardly any cost if not for free.
“If you’d like to do the same, go for it. There’s nothing to lose. Find inspiration and take the plunge!”
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, comments: “Even when I don’t need to buy any furniture or anything for my house, I still spend far too much time scrolling through Facebook Marketplace because of all the fabulous deals on there.
“If you’re keen to try your hand out at some DIY, keep your eyes peeled for second-hand furniture that’s totally free because someone is decluttering.
“There are so many incredible bargains to be had, and with some step-by-step online tutorials, you can make your own totally unique piece of upcycled furniture!"
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