Using an Old Door to Make a Headboard
This is an update on my original headboard made from an old door. Yep, I actually tackled this door and made it into a headboard.
This is how the headboard has look for the last year.
Painting Door Headboard
I painted over the dark colors with Kilz primer.
I then painted it with a coat of Glidden Crisp White Linen.
Trim Height of Legs
Ever since I originally built it I felt like it was too tall. After building it and dragging it into the house to see that it was a little too tall, I was not inclined to drag it back out to trim it up. Last week, after I painted it I decided I wanted to distress it. Since I had to bring it outside to distress it, I thought I would go ahead and cut a little off of the legs. If you look closely you can still see the number “1” for the apartment number where the door came from. (notice the saw is unplugged while I arranged the saw and the headboard. You can NOT be too careful doing this kind of work.)
The door would not lay correctly on the driveway so I propped it up with some scraps.
I cut off 1 Ā½ inches off each leg.
This is what it looked like before I distressed it. I decided to distress it so that it would look more like my nightstand.
Distressing Furniture
Notice the matching knobs I picked up last week with all that hardware.
Now, I’ve told ya’ll before I’m not good at distressing. You know I should really call it di-“stressing”, because I stress over it so much. I know it sort of looks like it has the measles, but I’ve sort of gotten used to it.
I sanded it with my orbital sander and I used the leaf blower to blow off most of the dust. After which, I wiped it down really well.
Adding Embellishments
A friend tried to get me to make a new headboard from those really cute doors I got at a yard sale last Spring. She thought the door headboard was not very soft or feminine. I totally agree with her, BUT it’s been 100 degrees outside. Too hot to build a headboard.
So to soften the headboard a little I added some wooden appliques simply gluing them with the fabulous Gorilla Glue.
I glazed them so that they would show up a little more. I apologize for the grainy pictures. You would think with three windows I would get a lot of natural light. I have a lot of trees shading the yard/house, so there is light, but not sunlight per se. So now the secret is out! I decided to put my bed in front of the window. The first night I slept in my new room, there was a huge lightning storm. I was re-thinking THAT decision! But because it opens up the room so much, I’ll brave the storms.
This is how it looks now, in my "new" bedroom.
Another Update:
See the latest Floating Farmhouse Shelf (I painted my bedroom, the prettiest blue)
other updates on the bedroom: painting a ceiling fan tutorialhow to update old wood trimpainting knotty pine
Want to see more door projects?
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Patricia
pretty makeover! I like the distressed look with the wooden embellishments!
your bedroom looks so calm and serene...
belle
Love the "new" headboard. And the background - soft minty green is much nicer than the old paneling.
Vintage Headboards
Nice work!
Chris
Gorgeous. Really. I need to do stop by the ReStore and see if I can find me a door!
Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming
Gail - This is fantastic. You can not even tell it was a door! Fabulous job. Thanks so much for linking to the DIY Club! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! ~ Stephanie Lynn
The DIY Show Off
Great job Gail! It's so pretty - love the new details too! š
Roeshel
Meg
Just took a look at the doors you had linked to this post. I LOVE them! Did you end up doing anything with them?
Meg
Great job! I love the wooden applique's you added to the headboard!
mysalvagedtreasures
I love to see projects like this....so inspirational. What a great job. Lots of work, you should be proud.
Betsy
Robin
This is a truly great way to recycle (or upcycle as I like to call it.) I love it and would love to see you post this at my linky party Upcycled Awesome!
http://tinyurl.com/Upcycled9 and come back to my blog for Stashbusting-September. I promise it will be worth your while!
ROBIN18447
Will this door work for a king size bed?
Brandy
Well done!!
lifeofperks.blogspot.com
Mandy's Creative Corner
It turned out beautiful! I just love how the distressed look ended up =) Well done!
dec0r8or
Hey your headboard looks great! Thanks for stopping by my blog and telling me about yours. It's fun to see how different people tackle the same project. I know I'm happy when I can save a few bucks by using my creativity! I'm off to see more of your projects now. š
Sheri@childmade.com
Super great looking finished headboard! You have a good eye for looking past the obvious. Thanks for sharing ... I've posted a link. Stop by and say "hi," maybe add a few links of your own!
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence
Looks good Gail and thanks so much for reminding my overworked brain how to save blog template. I kind of got a few things figured out--too tired to worry about more now.
LisasCreativeHome
Looks Great! I Love it!
Sylvia
Nice job. It looks great. Glazing might just take it up a notch or two. Can't wait to see the entire room.
~ Regan
Love the decals-I think they make the headboard more feminine.
When I distress, I like to use my mouse sander to go over the edges, pushing harder randomly to make more defined stress marks. Sometimes I go over the solid parts of the furnitiure, but mostly, that just gets a few worm holes and glazing. I like how yours came out- I think you are being hard on yourself! š
Can't wait to see the rest of the makeover!
Marydon
Wow!! I am impressed! Love the details your added, just dressed it right up.
Have a lovely day ~
TTFN~ Marydon
Sandra
Very nice! I love love it! I painted our bedroom furniture in Cottage White but I think I need to do something to them. Hmm? I may add glaze to match the curio cabinet I did a while back. I hope you're having a wonderful day.
Sandra
dogsmom
I will do my best to come back but Happy Anniversary (ahead of time)
Amanda@The Hand Me Down House
I love the appliques you added - the look so great! Well...the whole headboard looks great! š Love the bedding you put with it, too.
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
the pieces are all coming together- looks great! and you are distressing???? what??!?!?!? š i am proud of you!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
the pieces are all coming together- looks great! and you are distressing???? what??!?!?!? š i am proud of you!
Granny J
The headboard looks great and the trim pieces are perfect for it.
A Pretty Pastime
Very Nice! I can't wait to see the whole room reveal.
Stay cool!
Katy
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish
Love the headboard!!! I think the additions of the wood appliques are perfect!
Proper Prim
Well you have been a very busy girl again... Love that headboard.
Are you adverse to glazing it? the "de"stressing kind of goes hand in hand with it... I think you would get the result you are looking for if you do... and don't worry nightstand doesn't have to match... nothing is matchy, matchy anymore.
Just a thought, it still looks great the way you have it.
Hugs, Deb