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.
This is the easiest way to make a bench. It was a twin sized 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.
The other option is to attach the side to the front of the four poster headboard by drilling holes into the end of the cut foot board.
A 2×4 makes up the front brace. We screwed from the side of the bench (foot board) into the 2×4. 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.
gail
see more headboard benches here
Neena Patel says
November 29, 2014 at 5:39 pmIt is such a great ideas. Love it.
Kerstin says
July 30, 2010 at 1:43 amI 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 says
May 23, 2010 at 4:08 pmOooh, I really like this! It would be perfect for my parent’s porch at the beach! 🙂 THanks!!
Cara @ Twice Lovely says
May 22, 2010 at 2:29 pmSweet! 😉
Laura says
May 22, 2010 at 4:44 amI 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 says
May 21, 2010 at 2:40 pmI love these benches made out of bed frames. I have been keeping my eye out for a cheap one to try it!
Tina says
May 21, 2010 at 1:14 amThat 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 says
May 21, 2010 at 12:58 amThat 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 says
May 21, 2010 at 12:58 amThat 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 says
May 20, 2010 at 8:58 pmlove 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 says
May 20, 2010 at 8:58 pmlove 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 says
May 20, 2010 at 8:58 pmlove 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 says
May 20, 2010 at 8:58 pmlove 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 says
May 20, 2010 at 6:42 pmSuperGail…Repurposing the world…one headboard at a time…
Homemade Quilts by Granny says
May 20, 2010 at 4:51 pmThe flooring really made the bench prettyer…I use bleach for every thing. Trish
Suzanne says
May 20, 2010 at 1:21 pmSuch a beautiful bench. Love the contrast in colors!
Proper Prim says
May 20, 2010 at 12:35 pmThanks 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 says
May 20, 2010 at 10:25 amLove the bench with the contrast of the dark wood and the white.
Great tips for using both the bleach and the empty bottles.