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You are here: Home / DIY Upcycling / How to Make a Unique Marimekko Bench

How to Make a Unique Marimekko Bench

6th June 2017 by Claire Armstrong 37 Comments

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Using Paper Napkin Decoupage to Make a Marimekko Bench

How do you transform a grotty old garden bench? How about some cool decoupage with designer paper napkins and transform it into a Marimekko bench.

I am a huge Marimekko fan, I just love their fabrics and Scandi/Nordic style. For those of you who don’t know Marimekko is a Finnish home furnishings and textile company.

I wanted some of that Marimekko style in my garden. Therefore, instead of just painting a neglected bench in my garden that was in dire need of cosmetic attention, I decided to Marimekko it!

I got the idea from some Marimekko shoes I’d made a few months ago. I still had some *Unikko napkins left over from the shoe revamp, so I decided to use these to upcycle and pimp my bench.

(*Unikko is probably Marimekko’s most iconic print it was actually first designed in the 1950’s, very mid-century modern)

Upcycle an old bench with decoupage.  This Marimekko bench was achieved by decoupaging with paper napkins.  It is a lot easier than you think and can be weather proofed.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.

What you need to make a Marimekko Bench

    • Old wooden bench

Bench before upcycle

    • White wood paint
    • Sander
    • Paint and glue brushes
    • Marimekko Napkins – I used Unikko blue ones, 1 packet was enough for my bench
    • PVA Glue / Mod Podge – or other white glue suitable for use with paper
    • Crystal clear yacht (or outdoor) varnish

marimekko unikko napkins for bench decoupage

How to Decoupage a Marimekko a bench.

    1. First thing I did was to prepare the bench by sanding it and then giving it a coat of white paint. One coat of white paint will be enough as this is not the finished look.

Sanding garden bench ready for decoupage

    1. Next I prepared my Marimekko napkins by separating them so that only the top printed ply was used (most napkins are 3 ply). Then I tore flowers out. It helps if you wet the napkin where you tear. It is better to tear rather than cut the napkins as you get a feathered edge which blends in better.

Preparing paper napkins for decoupage.

    1. When I had cut out all my napkin flowers I then spread the glue on the bench and placed the napkin flowers on top. The napkins are too delicate to apply the glue directly to. I gently brushed out the napkins as you lay them on the bench.

Decoupage of bench with Marimekko napkins

  1. I carried on until the whole bench was covered in Marimekko Unikko flowers. Once it was dry I applied two coats of crystal clear outdoor/yacht varnish. This varnish should protect the decoupaged Marimekko bench from the elements.

finished decoupaged Marimekko bench

Instead of upcycling an old garden bench with paint how about transforming it with paper napkin decoupage to create a unique Marimekko bench. It can be made waterproof to stay outside all year round.

I told you it was easy, and I now have a bench to match my shoes!

Marimekko Bench and shoes

If you’re not a huge Marimekko fan, you can of course use this method to upcycle a bench with the napkins of your choice.

Upcycle an old bench with decoupage.  This Marimekko bench was achieved by

Here are a few more of my Marimekko posts you may want to check out.
DIY Marimekko Shoes
Marimekko Stair Transformation
12 Marimekko Crafts
Giant Paper Mache Cactus

You will find more unique upcycled garden ideas here.

Filed Under: DIY Upcycling, Marimekko Tagged With: bench, cool decoupage, decoupage, garden bench, marimekko, marimekko bench, marimekko shoes, napkins, unikko, upcycle, upcycled bench

Previous Post: « How To Use Wallpaper To Decoupage a Table Top
Next Post: How To Make a Fun Wall Key Holder From Junk »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maria

    8th April 2020 at 5:52 pm

    What a great job and so colorful.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th April 2020 at 6:55 pm

      Thank you so much Maria it does brighten up the garden.

      Reply
  2. Roy Altis

    20th May 2019 at 10:52 pm

    Love it and I have many questions
    I have a garden bench and I thought maybe I could cheat and use those Dollar Store jumbo butterfly peel and stick stickers. And maybe coat it with mod podge and then use that marine crystal clear varnish. How bad does this sound???

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st May 2019 at 9:57 am

      Thank you. You could give it a go I’m sure that would work too.

      Reply
  3. Gail

    26th February 2019 at 4:01 pm

    so it is okay to have it look a little wrinkled, will the varnish help to smooth that look out?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      26th February 2019 at 4:23 pm

      Yes, the wrinkled look isn’t so obvious once the bench has dried. It’s hard to avoid wrinkles totally but if you smooth the tissue paper down with crinkled up cling film (saran wrap) as you stick it down this will reduce wrinkles.

      Reply
      • Diane

        1st March 2019 at 7:33 pm

        Adorable bench! I have an old flea market chair that’s been waiting for a makeover. I feel inspired now! Thanks for a great post!
        And I completely understand your fascination with Marimekko! I fell in love with the prints early on—my mom had plates, sheets, and fabrics in our home. And now I’m adding it to my own home via a bathroom renovation completely centered around a Marimekko shower curtain!

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          1st March 2019 at 8:04 pm

          Wow! That sounds fabulous a Marimekko shower curtain. Thank you.

          Reply
  4. nancy

    5th May 2018 at 6:22 pm

    Absolutely love this idea. Would love to do this to two benches on my deck. Question: I wondered how well this process weathers over time? I leave my benches out,but covered, over the winter months. I live in a mild but rainy climate. usually does not go below 20’s in the winter.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th May 2018 at 11:09 pm

      Thank you, make sure you use an outdoor varnish like a marine varnish. Also, make sure it says crystal clear on the tin not just clear as the clear varnish often dries with a yellow tint,

      Reply
  5. Mary

    30th December 2017 at 3:16 pm

    Love the tennis shoes and bench to match!!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      30th December 2017 at 3:36 pm

      Thank you. I never thought I’d have a matching bench and shoes!

      Reply
  6. Kimberly

    30th October 2017 at 1:30 pm

    That is FANTASTIC!I never would have thought of useing napkins ! Adore the look and it is sure to last , thank u so much for shareing ! Creative & functional win win !

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      30th October 2017 at 3:04 pm

      Thank you so much. Paper napkins are great for so many decoupage projects.

      Reply
  7. Jen

    15th June 2017 at 9:13 pm

    Wow. That turned out great. Love the colors and giving a new life to an old bench. Thanks for linking up with Be Clean Be Green With Kids http://www.honestlymodern.com/category/blog-101/be-clean-be-green-with-kids-link-up/

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th June 2017 at 6:59 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  8. Jennifer Perkins

    14th June 2017 at 7:44 pm

    Now I’m going through all my paper napkins wondering what I can decoupage! The bench looks adorable.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th June 2017 at 9:21 pm

      Thank you, paper napkins are fun to craft with.

      Reply
  9. Amber Harrop

    13th June 2017 at 9:14 pm

    Wow your Bench looks amazing I would have never thought of decoupage but it looks stunning Claire

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th June 2017 at 5:49 am

      Thank you so much Amber.

      Reply
  10. STEPHANIE ABBOTT

    13th June 2017 at 11:22 am

    You have fantastic style and ideas. The bench is adorable. Scheduled to our Pinterest boards. Thanks for sharing at To Grandma’s House We Go.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th June 2017 at 3:39 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing.

      Reply
  11. Leanna

    13th June 2017 at 5:23 am

    This bench is so bright and cheerful. It is a wonderful piece for your garden. Great work.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th June 2017 at 6:18 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  12. Brenda Young

    13th June 2017 at 2:57 am

    A beautiful, fun makeover Claire! I never would have thought of using yacht varnish as a topcoat for an outdoor piece, just brilliant! Thanks for sharing your project at #FridaysFurnitureFix hope to see you at the party for the giveaway on the 22nd!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th June 2017 at 6:19 am

      Thank you so much, it does brighten up the garden.

      Reply
      • Brenda Young (@UniqueJunktique)

        15th June 2017 at 3:21 pm

        Hi Claire just popping in to let you know your project is tonight’s feature at Fridays Furniture Fix, I love the bold , fun decoupage design, and your tutorial too!

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          15th June 2017 at 8:31 pm

          That’s awesome I look forward to seeing it.

          Reply
  13. Katy SkipTheBag

    11th June 2017 at 6:40 pm

    What a beautiful bench! I love it and the color is my favorite! Thanks for sharing on the #WasteLessWednesday blog hop!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      11th June 2017 at 9:48 pm

      Thank you and mine too!

      Reply
  14. Kimm at Reinvented

    9th June 2017 at 4:26 pm

    What a great make over. Such a cute bench. Love the pooch too!
    Thanks for sharing at Waste Not Wednesday.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th June 2017 at 4:57 pm

      Thank you, and he’s our beloved Foxy Russell TOBY.

      Reply
  15. Gentle Joy Photography

    9th June 2017 at 12:54 pm

    Wow… it looks like a lot of work… but you have a very bright and fun-looking bench. 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th June 2017 at 5:03 pm

      Thank you, it is a lot easier than it looks!

      Reply
  16. Cathy Lawdanski

    9th June 2017 at 9:33 am

    So clever and creative and the end result is just gorgeous! Good job!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th June 2017 at 5:03 pm

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. You might want to rethink your carpet stairs when you see what this homeowner did in 3 days! - DIY says:
    24th November 2017 at 11:52 pm

    […] a thing about Marimekko the Finnish textile designers, especially their iconic UNIKKO poppy print. (Click here to see my Marimekko Bench Upcycle). Therefore I decided that I would use Marimekko wallpaper for my […]

    Reply

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