This tutorial will show you how to make a headboard entryway bench using a kitchen cabinet! It really is easier than it sounds, especially if you follow my tutorial.
White Headboard Entryway Bench
Old Kitchen Cabinet Made into a Bench
Can you see this kitchen cabinet ….
Funny Looking Twin Headboard
and this headboard in the above bench? At first glance I hope you couldn’t tell it was a cabinet.
Test fit of the headboard and kitchen cabinet
This is how it all started. I had these two pieces stored in the garage, and I noticed they were about the same size. I brought them out to the driveway to see if a headboard entryway bench could be made from these pieces.
Add legs and a seat
This is during the dry fit stage. I cut some 1x’s for the seat, and some 2x2’s for the front legs.
The board near the back had to be notched to fit around the headboard. I basically drew it out the same as I did the seat on this corner bench. (I put the board on the ground and drew around the legs of the headboard entryway bench.)
Because I know from experience that the handy board used on cabinets doesn’t paint very well, I cut a thin piece of plywood to give a more finished look on the end of the bench.
In this picture you can see a step that I haven’t explained yet. The kitchen cabinet was about 1 ¼ inches more narrow than the headboard. I used some plywood on either side to fill in the empty area.
Patch and repair Headboard Entryway Bench
This is with the thin plywood in place. I secured it with Gorilla Wood Glue and my nail gun. You can see I patched the slat areas on the headboard.
If the cabinet doors had horizontal lines routed, I may have kept them on, but because they had vertical lines, I decided to remove them and patch all the holes where the hinges had been. The headboard entryway bench is coming together nicely!
Paint Sprayer makes painting spindles easy
Here she is in the fancy paint booth after a coat of DIY chalky paint primer with my Finish Max.
The paint sprayer makes painting spindles so easy.
Paint the underneath side of your projects
I like to take pictures of the paint with the project so I can remember what I used. In this case it was the $7 gallon of Porter Paint I got at the ReStore. I have bought 3 gallons total, and should have bought more. It mixes up a great batch of DIY Chalky Paint Primer
TIP: Remember to paint the underside and backs of your projects for a more finished look.
Headboard Bench made from a Kitchen Cabinet
Here is the (semi) finished headboard entry way bench. This is after one coat of the DIY chalky paint and one regular coat of the Porter Paint (in a flat sheen) The new kitchen cabinet headboard bench is ready for a top coat, but as always I am undecided on what color to paint it.
We had a gorgeous Saturday and I worked outside all day. I was able to paint with my Finish Max, but time got away from me and I didn’t know what color to use, so it sits waiting for a final color. By Sunday, it was cold, rainy and SNOWY.
Even though it is unfinished, I staged it with a couple of baskets and a pillow. I love making headboard benches, and I really love changing them up and making them differently.
Do you have a color suggestion? I’m thinking RED???
gail
Want to see my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage?
see more headboard benches 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.
Chrysti
This piece is absolutely stunning! I love the uniqueness of the headboard shape itself, but you really elevated it by adding the kitchen cabinets and creating a bench. I have an old headboard that belonged to my grandparents (my husband cannot for the life of him figure out why we keep moving it)....I have been looking for just this kind of inspiration. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Gail Wilson
ohhhh, I'm so happy you found this project Chrysti! 🙂
This is definitely one easy bench, and cabinets like these are found at ReStore's everywhere.
good luck and have fun!
gail
Beth S
LOVE this. I've been buying thrift headboards to make benches and so glad I found you. This combo is beautiful. I love that headboard shape - gorgeous. Wish I lived closer and I would have begged to buy this from you. Keep inspiring!
Carrie @ The Birtch Bunch
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! More than any other - I think because you used the kitchen cupboard it skyrocketed to number one for me! Thank you for sharing this - its truly inspirational! (Hey Hubby - come see this - can we remodel the kitchen now? Think of all the additional seating we can make? )
Cindy from GlassSlipperRestorations
Hi Gail, This turned out great! Red sounds perfect! I'm going to be doing somthing similar to this soon so this post will come in handy for me. I'm pinning! Thanks for sharing!
Cindy
Betsy
You are the queen of repurposed benches. Love this one and all the components that brought it together. Great idea to take a picture of it with the can of paint.
girlfromwva
love how this turned out! i love red. i wouldn't mind it being grey or white either!
Stephanie@cre8tive
Oh MY! I love how you married the two together. Way to think outside the box. This is a perfect size for a small entry or mud room. You are the queen of making benches lol
Tabath @ ChicByTab
Another Pinterest worthy bench! Thank you. Please come share at my Chic By You link party @ Chic By Tab. Hope to see you there.
Mindi
Umm no, I couldn't tell it was a cabinet, and I think you are brilliant! It looks amazing!! It is always good to have extra storage space! LOVE it!!
Korrie@RedHenHome
I always love red! What a great pairing.
Margaret
That bench is adorable! Great minds must think alike because I was thinking red as well - go for it!
Lynne E.
Gail, that bench is adorable!! You really have a keen eye for putting things together, and coming up with something great!!
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
This is crazy good, you are the BEST!
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Oh my goodness, talk about repurposing at it's best! You rock girl!
Sylvia
Another great project by Gail! I really love the smaller, armless benches. Great for an entryway or at the foot of a bed (which is very fitting.... a headboard bench at the foot of the bed).
Angie
I absolutely love this! I've been trying to keep my eye out for some headboards. It seems like I can never find one. And when I do it's not a decent price. But I do know there are always lots of cabinets like this at the restore. Will have to pick one up. 🙂
Holly
Looks great. I think it should stay white. A classic look. And it looks great with the baskets!
Bliss
Never, ever ever in a million years would I have thought that cabinet could be incorporated into a bench and that it would look great. Gail seriously, your eye to put stuff to good use is uncanny.
Michele
Oh I love this!! You amaze me with what you do with your creativity.
Terri
Just when I think you can't build a cuter bench...you do it! I love how you used the cabinet for the bottom...such a smarty pants! Love it!
Susan
Another great bench! I love that there is storage for baskets and white and wood (baskets) is my favorite!
Kathleen
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! You are very clever. I love the idea of red. I have a headboard and footboard sitting in storage waiting for me to get into our new house so I can make a bench. Great job! Pinning.