Today’s headboard chalkboard project is another quick turnaround project. Do you remember when I got those yard sale castoffs a couple of weeks ago? I really didn’t have a place to store them, so I got right to work transforming them.
You can see the the foot board makeover on Homeright.com. Today, I’ll show you what I did with the small twin headboard.
Trim off the legs of the bed
This repurposed headboard chalkboard started as many of my projects do—with a saw. I very carefully clamped and cut these pieces on my compound miter saw. See the large space that is left after I cut the legs? I want to fill that place with a piece of thin plywood, but I need a couple of pieces to support it.
Use a Kreg Jig for joining
First, I grabbed a couple of 1x’s and cut them to length and added pocket holes with my Kreg Jig® K4
I chose to put the pocket holes facing frontwards so that when I attach the thin plywood, the joints won’t show.
Use wood glue and a nail gun
As usual, I attached the plywood with Gorilla wood glue and my Ryobi airstrike stapler.
Headboard Chalkboard needs a top shelf
I thought this coat rack would prove more useful if it had a top shelf. So, I added this shelf and secured it with Gorilla wood glue and my Ryobi stapler.
Coat rack with chalkboard and a shelf!
This is the progress is so far. Hindsight 20/20, I wish I had left the tops (now the bottom legs) just slight longer. Notice how it rests on the cross piece instead of the side pieces.
Add trim/molding to chalkboard area
I did some light sanding, and just before I took it to the paint booth, I decided to cut some molding to give a more finished look where the chalkboard meets the other pieces.
Paint a coat of primer
I used my HomeRight Finish Max 
to primer this and three other repurposed headboard projects.
Add hooks and hardware
Then it turned H.O.T. I had to bring the headboard inside to finish it. Then, I painted a coat of Naval blue, the same color I used on the twin beds makeover. I painted it on with a brush, because I didn’t want a heavy coverage, I wanted some of the black to show through.
While in the kitchen, I added the coat hooks (from Home Depot) D rings for hanging, and the trim (molding) pieces. You can see in the bottom right picture of this collage that I didn’t quite get the trim totally covered where it meets the bottom. I did some touchups there, and where I used the Ryobi airstrike nail gun.
Headboard Chalkboard Coat Rack
I made a similar repurposed headboard coat rack chalkboard several years ago.
No, it’s not meant to hang on a fence, but it’s the only place I have that gets good light for pictures. I think it’s perfect for a busy family just in time for back to school.
Not every headboard becomes a bench around here. 🙂
What is your favorite part about this transformation?
gail
sharing at Sharon's Be Inspired Party
See more great projects @ Not Just a Housewife
see other great headboard projects here
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.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Wow Gail, you really know how to rock a headboard project!
Melissa Sampson
You do such awesome work Jen! I'll have to come visit you soon! I think I can squeeze something else in my house! lol
Esther
Lovely! Just curious...why didn't you let the lovely knobs on?
JJ Crouch
Nice!
Sylvia
Great job. Have you tried magnetic paint or adding metal to the piece before painting? I could see notes, etc. held by magnets.
Tracy Snyder
Great job!!! You are so creative. I love how it turned out! And would love to have something like this for just what you said-back to school a place for all the book bags to go.
Mary
Love the way you repurposed this twin headboard. I like the framing around the board. Just so thoughtfully created and genius. Some family would be so happy to have this handy piece of furniture on their wall. You are so gifted, Gail
Holly
Great job. I make these out of the head boards or foot boards that aren't good enough to turn into a bench but I've never added a chalkboard. Might have to do that. I'm making several of these for my upcoming show.
Mindi
This is perfect for a busy family! I love it Gail! Great job as usual! š
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
It's beautiful, I love the colour, it looks so nice with the chalkboard. Favourite thing is the trim, it adds a special finished look that I wouldn't have thought of.
Marti Steele
I love this. I decided to try a jig again and this time bought a Kreg K5, not an off brand. Waiting for it to get here. Wish me luck!!!
Marti
Laurel Stephens
I love the way you improvise as you go, like adding the shelf on top and the molding around the chalk board. This is such a useful and good looking coat rack. Great job repurposing your headboard!
Terri
Love this one...your ideas on what to do with headboards (and everything else) seems to be endless!
Teresa
Another great idea!!! I can see this as a nice glove, hat and scarf catcher by the door. Scarves would look great around the spindles! Sturdy flat profile baskets for hats and gloves!
Tammy
BEAUTIFUL & CREATIVE!!!! I'm thinking, "Backpacks!" Also, thinking of chalkboard uses, such as morning reminders, like, "Don't forget your lunch money!" Thanks for sharing š
Amy
What a great change to a headboard redo! You do fantastic work.
Lisa
cute idea. I had an ethan allen bed frame like this that was from my parents-my husband gave ti away to some people working on the house w'o my knowledge. Needless to say he was in hot water for a while, but at least it maybe blessed someone.
Shelley
Love this! You did an awesome job as always!