Simple wooden benches offer unique and versatile seating options. But simple doesn’t have to always mean boring. If a plain wooden bench doesn’t exactly match with your decor aesthetic, there are plenty of options for customization. This project features a pretty basic geometric pattern that’s incredibly easy to do and requires very few supplies. Here’s how to make your own.

DIY Geometric Painted Bench Supplies:

plain wooden benchsandpaper or small sander (optional)painter’s tapepaintbrushpaint

Step 1: Prep the bench

Before starting to actually paint the bench, you’ll need to make sure it’s ready for painting. The area you plan to paint should be clean and free of dust. If it’s not, go over it with a damp cloth. However, if the surface is completely smooth, you might need to go over it first with a piece of sandpaper or a small sander just to ensure the paint will adhere properly. Clean the surface again after sanding.

Step 2: Tape around the rim

Then you’ll need to decide which part of your bench is going to include the painted pattern. In the bench pictured, just the top surface is painted. So the rim around the top of it is completely marked off with painter’s tape.

Step 3: Create a pattern

Once the area is marked off, it’s time to create your pattern. Use painter’s tape to create geometric shapes all over the inside of the taped-off area. The bench pictured features a regular diamond pattern. To do this, just create diagonal stripes with the tape, and then another set of diagonal stripes perpendicular to the first set. However, you can customize this project to create basically any shapes or patterns you’d like.

Step 4: Apply Paint

When the painter’s tape is in place and you’re happy with the pattern. Apply your paint. You can choose any color you like, or even use multiple different colors. Depending on the color of the paint and the wood, you might have to apply more than one coat.

Step 5: Dry and repeat

Allow the paint to dry, then remove the tape carefully. If you want to add even more shapes or colors, repeat the taping and painting steps above.Allow all of the coats of paint to dry and then enjoy your spruced-up seating!