How to Make a Newspaper Bench
- 1). Select an appropriate bench to cover. Avoid benches that have openings in their surface like iron lattice work. Crafters can decoupage around embellishments, but the more uninterrupted surface there is to cover, the easier it is to lay the paper flat and smooth. A solid, unfinished wood bench with no carved or metal detailing is ideal.
- 2). Sand the surface of the bench with sandpaper, if you are using unfinished wood. Eliminate rough patches or abrasive corners so that the paper lays flats on the surface.
- 3). Tear or cut pieces of newspaper. Reduce the pieces to a size that suits the aesthetic you want to achieve. For example, if you want to feature headlines or mastheads, cut those sections from the paper and leave the entire title intact. Pieces with dimensions between 2 and 6 inches are the easiest to work with.
- 4). Pour the craft glue in a small bowl.
- 5). Dip the foam brush in the glue. Apply it generously to the surface of the bench. Work in small sections so that the glue doesn't begin to dry before you apply the paper.
- 6). Lay a piece of newspaper over the glue. Smooth the paper gently but firmly with a solid, straight-edged object, like the edge of a ruler. Press hard enough to eliminate air bubbles, but not so hard you tear the paper. Remember that wet paper is more delicate than dry paper.
- 7). Overlap the paper pieces or arrange them edge-to-edge, based on your preference. Avoid layering more than three pieces of paper in any spot.
- 8). Dip the foam brush in the glue. Paint over the newspaper in a thin, even coat. It's okay if the glue still looks a little opaque when freshly applied to the surface. A thin layer of glue will dry crystal clear.
- 9). Repeat the process until you have covered the entire surface. Allow the bench to dry overnight.
- 10
Apply a coat of clear varnish after the bench dries, to create a shiny surface.
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