In this post How to make a headboard coat rack, I'll show you how to turn a vintage spool bed into a fun and unique coat rack using vintage coat hooks and doorknobs.
I felt that this vintage spool bed was not strong enough to make a headboard bench, but it was so darn cute, I knew it was worthy of a fabulous project. Some small repairs needed to be made using clamps and gorilla wood glue.
Vintage doorknobs and hooks will be a great addition to this charming headboard.
Insure your headboard is strong enough to hold your coats
The cross board was not quite thick enough, so I cut a piece of thin plywood to give it some umph. Small things like this make a big difference when learning to do DIY repurposed furniture projects. You never really know what you're going to run into, it's best to be prepared. It's one good reason why I never throw out wood scraps. Scrap wood like this really made a difference in this project. I wouldn't have wanted to rip a new piece of plywood to get this small piece.
Use wood glue and clamps to add scrap piece of plywood
Wood glue will give a great hold to this small piece of plywood.
I love these quick clamps! They really are quick and easy to use.
Use small dowels to attach vintage doorknobs
While the glue was setting up, I got busy working on the vintage door knobs. Because I never throw anything away, I had small dowels leftover from some broken chairs. They will be perfect to insert into the vintage knobs for this repurposed headboard coat rack.
I spray painted the headboard coatrack with a very pretty green. Countersink holes were drilled using a paddle bit and a regular wood bit. This would allow the dowel to fit into the smaller hole and the base of the vintage doorknob to rest in the larger hole. Because the small dowel hole was slightly smaller than the dowel, it fit very snug in the hole. Wood glue was put into the smaller hole as I sort of screwed the dowel in.
Add vintage wire coat hooks
I ended up using 3 door knobs and 2 of the hooks. Lesson learned...I didn't follow my own advice. I thought these hooks were pretty sturdy due to the fact that they are old, and I have seen them used to hold loads of things. However, when I was trying to screw them in, 2 of them broke off. Finally I remembered to take my own advice and add some bar soap to the threads! voila! easy peasy! Drilling pilot holes would have also be very helpful.
Pretty Green Headboard Coat Rack
I didn't take a picture of the back. I added 2 d rings(16 inch centers) on the bottom board to hold the weight of the piece and the things that would be hung on it. Another d ring was added at the top of the headboard coat rack to secure it to the wall.
This headboard coat rack was one of the first items to sell at Glendale.
gail
Bonnie Hipps
Oh my gosh Gail I love this.Havent been on here for awhile because of health issues but, catching up with all your posts. I have your stuff saved on my Pinterest board just for you lol. Always finding new stuff to add to it. Love the trailer what a wonderful job but, I would expect that from you 😄 Be safe out there. Thanks for being a inspiration to all us ladies out there!
Jennie
I love this. The vintage hooks and knobs make it perfect. I’m in Christmas mode. And I can see this being decorated for the holidays, as you walk in the door.
The Other Me (is sane)
That is incredible creative. I'll be on the lookout for a bed frame now, so I can copy you of course!
Nicole @ BugaBoos
Love it! I have 3 headboards I scored curbside and am working on something like this! Yours look Awesome, love the knobs!
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating
Very creative! Love it!
Andy Porter
I get so excited when I see a link from you because I always know I'm going to be impressed!!! Great idea and how sweet of your daughter to find it for you!! It turned out beautifully.
Sara
What a great idea! Love it.
Jessica
Thanks for your kind words over at my blog (myquarterlifecrisisjmu.blogspot)
I'm glad you came by because I have loved looking through your blog! Keep up the great work!
Lara Harris
That is an AWESOME idea!
Courtney
Wow! This looks great! I think it's coat rack day at Kimba's DIY day, seriously. And this one is gorgeous. I love it.
Abbie
I think it's hilarious that you saw the headboard in the corner of that picture of something else!! And the end result was super-cute!
Sparta Savings
This is so wonderful!! I keep finding headboard on the side of the road, too, but haven't brought many home because my husband thinks I have too many already! (I have a neat brass one in my yard!) Thanks for the tutorial!
Embellished Bayou
How creative, it looks awesome!
Miss Mustard Seed
I absolutely love it! I may have to copy that at some point. I love the old hardware you used. It really makes the piece.
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking
Brilliant! I love the color too.
Linda Q
That turned out really darling, I can see why it sold!
Linda Q
Lissa
I could not love antique doorknobs anymore if they were my own living breathing child. I have some on a board like this for a hanging-thing. Using the headboard is so genius...it looks unbelievable!
Kimm at Reinvented
Oooh, I loooove that! The color is fabulous. Thanks for linking up!
Matt and Ashlee
What a clever idea!!
2browneyedbeauties
As always, beautiful. Do you know because of you I am too looking at people's trash? Just yesterday, I rescued serveral pieces of brown spindles that were being trashed. I still have my eye out for a headboard so my husband can make me a bench like the ones you have created. Thank you so much for your continuous inspiration.
Proper Prim
Oh that is too cute... I LOVE it... thanks for the tutorial too... I am on the lookout now for sure... I am not surprised that it sold fast.
NM
Wow, I can't believe it is the same piece of furniture. That is an amazing transformation.
best wishes, NM.
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove
Cute idea and great redo!
{ L }
Great work! I'm inspired. Love the color too.
Happy Met Monday!
http://www.mooreminutes.com/2009/10/walls-wrapped-in-charm.html
michelle@somedaycrafts
GOrgeous!!! I love it! I would have bought it up in a heartbeat!!!
Amanda
That's a really neat coat rack! Great ingenuity!
Beth
Cute! Oh, and can that cutie handyman come and help me carve pumpkins?! 😉
Diane@A Picture is Worth....
Wow...that is so creative! Thanks so much for linking to 2nd Time Around!
🙂 Diane
cindy@cottage instincts
Coolio! Love the color too....I'm still looking for a free headboard to turn into a bench for my kitchen nook...