Small Four Poster Headboard Bench Tutorial
What do you do with a free four poster headboard? Make an easy headboard bench, of course!
When my friend Cathy and I first started making benches, we bought beds at thrift stores. We had no idea that you could get them free from the curb. It's amazing how many people will throw out old beds. Have you ever "curbed" a bed?
Visit the My Repurposed Life Amazon Store to shop my favorite items.
This is the easiest way to make a bench. It was a twin sized four poster headboard bed.
We cut the foot board in half and attached it directly to the end of the headboard to make the armrests. I had wanted to make an easy headboard bench like this for quite awhile, but Cathy didn't really like the look.
However, this style is so much easier than the way we had been doing it. Originally, we used an extra long drill bit to drill from the back, into the narrow side piece.
A 2x4 makes up the front brace. We screwed from the side of the bench (foot board) into the 2x4. We of course used wood glue in addition to the screws.
The seat of the four poster headboard bench was made using leftover tongue and groove flooring. We painted the front of the boards (where they had been cut) white to match the rest of the bench. This is a great project for a beginner. I love the look of white with the wood tones. I’m ready to make another bench. I have several beds in inventory.
Edited to add: I have found a better way to build headboard benches using a Kreg Jig. But, the decision is up to you. Will you do it my original way, drilling from the back? Perhaps you love this easy technique for building headboard benches?
In any case, I hope I have encouraged you to make a new bench out of an old headboard!
You can see another version of this easy technique in my article Easy Headboard Bench.
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.
Neena Patel
It isĀ such a great ideas. Love it.
Kerstin
I finished my bench a few months ago, but my computer has been down. I finally got it posted! Thanks for the inspiration
http://mommytimecrafts.blogspot.com/2010/07/porch-bench.html
paperkite
Oooh, I really like this! It would be perfect for my parent's porch at the beach! š THanks!!
Cara @ Twice Lovely
Sweet! š
Laura
I love it. And what a great tutorial!
I'm hosting a blog party right now and would love it if you linked up!
http://www.iamalongfortheride.blogspot.com
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove
I love these benches made out of bed frames. I have been keeping my eye out for a cheap one to try it!
Tina
That bench rocks you clever girl - thanks for visiting Spanish Moss Vintage and thanks for the feature. I'll check back tomorrow. Thanks again.
The Polka Dot Closet
That bench is amazing. Next time I see a bed frame on the side of the road I am going to grab it. At that price i can afford to practice and screw up!
Carol
The Polka Dot Closet
That bench is amazing. Next time I see a bed frame on the side of the road I am going to grab it. At that price i can afford to practice and screw up!
Carol
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
love the flooring on the seat- the wood finish gives it just the right touch! and i am always sitting on the floor with my kids anyhow, so it's perfect!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
love the flooring on the seat- the wood finish gives it just the right touch! and i am always sitting on the floor with my kids anyhow, so it's perfect!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
love the flooring on the seat- the wood finish gives it just the right touch! and i am always sitting on the floor with my kids anyhow, so it's perfect!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
love the flooring on the seat- the wood finish gives it just the right touch! and i am always sitting on the floor with my kids anyhow, so it's perfect!
Becky
SuperGail...Repurposing the world...one headboard at a time...
Homemade Quilts by Granny
The flooring really made the bench prettyer...I use bleach for every thing. Trish
Suzanne
Such a beautiful bench. Love the contrast in colors!
Proper Prim
Thanks for the tut Gail... you do make this look so easy... I think I could even handle that one... I have always wanted to make a bench... another thing added to my wish list.
Have a great day.
Hugs, Deb
Granny J
Love the bench with the contrast of the dark wood and the white.
Great tips for using both the bleach and the empty bottles.