Reinvent It: 9 Ways to Resurrect Church Pews
Unusual proportions make these long benches problem solvers as well as unique points of interest all around the home
At Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, "The Senior Lobby" was right near the main entrance, and only seniors could use it.
The space was the hub of my school's universe. It consisted of three rejected church pews from the Methodist church across the street and a politically incorrect cigar-store Indian to represent our politically incorrect mascot (it was the '80s, and the term "politically correct" did not yet exist). Those old pews were a hot spot, and we frosh couldn't wait to be old enough to meet there before school and hang out for 30 seconds in between classes on them.
Today all you Houzzers seem as excited about church pews as a bunch of Anderson High School 12th graders on the first day of school. You've stripped them, refinished them, repurposed them and even added cushions and pillows to them. (Anyone who has spent more than an hour listening to a sermon knows a cushion is a great idea.)
Here's a peek at how savvy homeowners are repurposing pews at home.
The space was the hub of my school's universe. It consisted of three rejected church pews from the Methodist church across the street and a politically incorrect cigar-store Indian to represent our politically incorrect mascot (it was the '80s, and the term "politically correct" did not yet exist). Those old pews were a hot spot, and we frosh couldn't wait to be old enough to meet there before school and hang out for 30 seconds in between classes on them.
Today all you Houzzers seem as excited about church pews as a bunch of Anderson High School 12th graders on the first day of school. You've stripped them, refinished them, repurposed them and even added cushions and pillows to them. (Anyone who has spent more than an hour listening to a sermon knows a cushion is a great idea.)
Here's a peek at how savvy homeowners are repurposing pews at home.
1. In a formal entry hall. One advantage of a pew's proportions is that it is not very deep, so it can slide right into an entry or hallway without jutting out and impeding the flow.
Another great advantage of a pew's proportions is length. Meant to seat up to eight people, a long pew can stand up to a long expanse of hall in an entryway. It's a great spot for stopping and putting on boots, dropping an attaché case or backpack, and transitioning from the outside world to home or vice versa.
Here's the same entryway pew as above viewed from another room; it creates a strong horizontal line across the gallery-like space. The old wood and peeling paint make for a nice contrast to the crisp finishes.
A long pew in an entry or a mudroom allows all the kids to sit down and pull on rain boots at once. The handsome wood pew and its curved armrest give this Chicago entryway a vintage-eclectic vibe.
Kim Wilson made this antique English pew the focal point of her entryway. To update it and give it character, she painted it black, distressed it, then added the cushion.
2. In a more relaxed mudroom. Wooden pews also work well in a more casual back or side entryway, provided you have the length to accommodate one. Here again the depth of the pew allows it to slip right into this narrow space.
3. In the potting shed. Because often you can pick up these beauties for free, you probably won't mind if they show a little wear and tear from helping out with the gardening. The long seats provide a lot of room for storage.
4. In an outdoor room. While a wooden bench won't stand up to the elements forever, it will weather beautifully for many years, acquiring a worn, rustic finish that works very well with grain cloth pillows.
5. In the breakfast nook. This former pew is now a stylish banquette complete with cushions.
See more breakfast nooks
See more breakfast nooks
6. In the living room. While a pew is certainly not where you want to lean back, put your feet up and watch the Superbowl for four hours, it can serve as an interesting accent piece and extra seating for those who want to work on their posture.
7. In the bedroom. It might seem a little weird at first to add church furniture vibes to your bedroom. In this room, however, the simple painted-white pew fits in as a contemporary headboard that provides room for a glass of water, reading glasses, books and even a reading lamp.
9. In the pub. This clever Houzz couple created an entire basement pub bar with repurposed Gothic pews.
See more details and in-progress shots of this bar
See more details and in-progress shots of this bar