• About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • My account
  • DIY Projects
  • Home Decor
  • Crafts
  • Holiday
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • Mothers Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Fall/Autumn
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
    • New Years
  • Food
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Drink
  • Free Printable

Lolly Jane

We turned our baby crib into a porch swing!

Furniture· Outdoor Decor

16 May

Sentimental hack: Turn a crib into a porch swing to keep your memories growing for years to come! Learn how to easily paint your baby crib porch swing the right way!

I’ve seen up-cycled baby cribs turned porch swings all over the place and FINALLY made my own! Luckily, my babies weren’t biters and all four of them used the same crib. It was in excellent condition when they were done with it so we kept it in storage thinking we would pass it onto our grand babies.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

As time passed and after drooling over my many pins of easy to make headboard benches and diy crib swings, I decided to cherish our sweet crib and re-purpose it into a functioning porch swing. Here’s to many more memories with my growing babes!

Tips to turn a crib into a porch swing

Nate actually surprised me by making a swing out of a crib so I don’t have a step by step for you. Sorry! However, all instructions will differ anyway as cribs have so many different styles. He shared with me a verbal how-to as best as he could:

  • He used the crib head board and foot board only, he donated the slates and springs.
  • He used a Dremel to cut the top trim on 2 sides so it would be flush with the sides of the top of the crib.ย 
  • He used two 1×4’s to create back supports (one in the middle, one on the bottom) then wood glued then screwed it into the back of the new joint head board.
  • He used more 1×4’s to create a planked bench with 1×3 piece of trim all the way around.
  • He fashioned arms with 2×4’s on the front of the arms and 1×3’s where your arms rest.
  • He used a boat load of wood glue and screws ๐Ÿ˜€
  • Check out tips to securely hang your porch swing here!!

Check out this baby crib turned porch swing using scrap wood and white paint! Don't let your memories of your baby fade, turn their first bed into a lifelong swing to keep making memories! #babycribporchswing #diycribswing #porchswing #diyporchswing #cribporchswing

After assembly, my work began!

How to Paint Outdoor Furniture

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

Visit more furniture Makeovers:

  • Dresser turned Vanity Tutorial
  • Chippy Glam Girl’s Dresser Makeover
  • Ikea Sideboard Hack
  • Stamped Bookcase Makeover
  • Faux Barn Wood Side Tableย 

SAND crib swing

I’m not huge on sanding but I do like the paint to grip to the wood so I quickly went over the piece with my well loved mouse sanderย using 120 grit.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

BLOW OFF/WIPE DOWN swing

I hate prep work even more than sanding so I prefer to blow it off before painting versus wiping it down tediously with a lint free cloth. Feel free to do both, dust in your paint is super annoying.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

PAINT to use for outdoor furniture

I used Americana Decor Outdoor Livingย in Picket Fence White.

A huge perk is the sealing power inside the paint, no need to seal afterward. Time saver!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

I didn’t dilute it at all but poured a jar right into my favorite paint sprayer.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

It covered my new baby crib porch swing like a champ!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

I ended up applying 2 coats total, using 2.5 jars (approximately 2 1/2 cups of paint).

Not too shabby.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

The planked seat is my favorite! It looks so good paired with crib curves.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea! Love this baby crib porch swing makeover!

At the last minute, I pulled off this brown piece of plastic that said PUSH, spray painted it black then screwed it on the bottom of the swing for an extra little memory of my baby days.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

Isn’t it so sweet?

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea! Love this baby crib porch swing makeover!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

ย I love how the undertone of the wood came out in the distressing process. I never loved the natural wood color when I first bought the crib but now appreciate seeing a glimpse of it.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea! Love this baby crib porch swing makeover!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea! Love this baby crib porch swing makeover!

Here she is all dolled up.

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea! Love this baby crib porch swing makeover!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea! Love this baby crib porch swing makeover!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea! Love this baby crib porch swing makeover!

See how easy it is to upcycle a baby crib to porch swing tutorial. Don't throw away your kid's baby crib, upcycle it into a meaningful porch swing to create new memories! Great DIY porch swing crib idea!

 I love how the undertone of the wood came out in the distressing process. I never loved the natural wood color but now appreciate seeing a glimpse of it.

See all of my porch decor swaps here!

Colorful front porch ideas and tips, lots of pretty decor ideas by layering textures and patterns.

23 Comments

About Lolly Jane

Meet Kelli & Kristi, twin sisters and authors of Lolly Jane. We are two busy wives + mommas who are makers of all things pretty. From signs to home decor and holiday crafts or redoing furniture in between soccer practices, we do it all all while armed with an ice cold Diet Coke. Join us in our DIY adventures! XOXO

Previous Post: « farmhouse style decor
Next Post: avocado egg rolls recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wendy says

    12/27/2018 at 7:25 am

    Hi! What color is the front door? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      01/03/2019 at 12:09 pm

      It’s “Jackson Square” from Valspar ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Ivory says

    08/06/2017 at 2:31 pm

    Excellent job! I love this project. Very nice anniversary gift

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      08/08/2017 at 9:21 pm

      Thank you, Ivory!

      Reply
  3. Leanna says

    07/12/2017 at 12:06 am

    This is a seriously great upcycle. What a great repurpose of a baby crib.

    Reply
  4. Amber Harrop says

    07/11/2017 at 1:35 pm

    I love your Porch swing , what a lovely update of a crib ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      07/12/2017 at 11:31 pm

      Thanks so much, it’s my favorite piece of furniture ever. Miss my babies being so itty bitty!

      Reply
  5. Cookies Coffee and Crafts says

    07/08/2017 at 6:13 pm

    What a great way to upcycle a crib. I will have an empty crib soon, it’s almost time for my oldest to get a big kids bed. I’m going to remember this to create

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      07/09/2017 at 11:23 pm

      Aww, that’s always sad for our babes to get older! Which is why I love that swing so much! xo

      Reply
  6. Ashley says

    03/06/2017 at 8:46 am

    what is your exterior paint color?

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      03/14/2017 at 11:52 am

      The paint code is 417152525780 and I had it mixed at Home Depot via Glidden Paint ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Carla says

    01/18/2017 at 5:02 pm

    Hi! Love it!
    Where did you get the plans to make the seat and all fit?

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      01/18/2017 at 6:59 pm

      Hi Carla! My husband surprised me and built the swing, I only painted it. There are a few tutorials on our TO BUILD pin board ๐Ÿ™‚

      Good luck!! XO

      https://www.pinterest.com/LollyJaneBlog/to-build

      Reply
  8. Muddy Gurl says

    01/16/2017 at 8:40 pm

    I always appreciated when the maker shows the parts (from crib) used BESIDES the crib, or makes a list of wood need. This shows the end result, and promotes the purchased products to ensure benefit to the product, but I can’t tell how many 2×4’s or what other scrap or purchased wood was used. Often if I ask the ladies what was done they just refer to the hubby doing the actual work..can you share more on the “how”? thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      01/18/2017 at 7:01 pm

      Hi there! We share a step-by-step 99% of the time but my husband actually did make this without my assistance so I didn’t take pictures. He did it as an anniversary gift. Darn! Check out our pin board with a few tutorials: https://www.pinterest.com/LollyJaneBlog/to-build Good luck!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  9. Classy Clutter says

    05/22/2016 at 5:32 pm

    This is the coolest!!!! It looks amazing and I love the sentiment! Amazing job!

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      08/19/2016 at 2:37 pm

      Thanks, friends! XOXOX

      Reply
  10. shawnna griffin says

    05/16/2016 at 8:01 am

    Great job! So cool!

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      05/17/2016 at 3:13 pm

      Awww thanks, Shawnna!! It was a fun one!! Read on tomorrow for some behind the scenes, mishaps, yikes!

      Reply
  11. Trina says

    05/16/2016 at 5:05 am

    Best upcycle yet! What a transformation! Pure genius! Wish I wouldn’t have donated my kids cribs!
    http://www.sistersweetly.wordpress.comTri

    Reply
    • Lolly Jane says

      05/16/2016 at 8:17 am

      Thanks so much! I’m so happy they weren’t biters, lol!! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Reply
    • Carla says

      10/22/2017 at 5:58 pm

      Do you remember what color you used on your bricks? The colors are awesome!

      Reply
      • Lolly Jane says

        10/23/2017 at 8:10 pm

        Hi Carla! It was a custom mix: the paint code is 417152525780 and I had it mixed at Home Depot via Glidden Paint ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

WELCOME TO LOLLY JANE
We're Kelli and Kristi, identical twin sister DIYers to love to create and spruce up our spaces on a budget. Our eclectic blog is where we share it all... from home decor, crafts, furniture revamps, awesome project roundups, tasty recipes and more...all while armed with an ice cold Diet Coke!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe via email

Success, yay! Check your email to confirm your subscription to star receiving fresh content!

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

  • About
  • DIY Projects
  • Home Decor
  • Crafts
  • Holidays
  • Food

Copyright © 2021 Lolly Jane. All Rights Reserved.
| Privacy.