How to Build a Cushioned Bench

Measure and cut a piece of upholstery fabric so that there is enough to hang over the top of the bench surface and have at least 2 inches of overhang past the bottom of the seat plate. The fabric will be attached to the underside of the bench seat, so be sure to have enough fabric over-hang to accommodate the padding that will be pushing up the fabric from the top of the bench seat.

Staple an edge of the fabric to the underside of one long side of the bench top. Keep the fabric straight as you staple this fabric to the seat. It will keep the fabric straight on the seat top when stuffed. Fold the corner under the short side length of fabric, and staple to the underside of the seat. You know have an "L" stapled on the seat. Turn the corner, fold the fabric under, and staple it to the remaining long side of the bench seat.

Stuff the space with fiber filling in between the seat top and the fabric covering. Fill the space with enough filling to create the firmness of cushion you wish to have for the seat. The stuffing will become harder to insert as it fills. Once it will take no more filling, finish by sealing the cushion on all ends.

Staple the remaining fabric to the underside of the bench seat to seal the fabric filling inside the cushion. Fold the remaining corner under. Staple shut the fabric opening that was filled by filling to create the cushioned padding for the bench seat.

Cut the remaining fabric outside of the staples. Finishing the job is important to keep the piece looking professionally done. Trim the fabric close to the staples, and it will hide the way the padded cushion was created.