Have you ever seen a project that you just have to try to make? I have seen this headboard wall shelf project over and over again on Pinterest. Perhaps I see it a lot because I’m always doing headboard searches. I pinned it years ago, but it wasn’t until I actually started on this project that I finally “clicked” on the pin. The pin leads to an Etsy shop, but I’m not even sure it’s the right link. (you’ll see the inspiration piece at the bottom of this post)
Oh my… when I searched for this picture, I found it from a post in December 2009! What? I’ve been holding on to this headboard for almost SIX years! Oh my! Time is flying by. I seriously would have thought it was from 3 years ago. 
(if you have a minute you should read the post to see where I got this and how excited I was to do something with it)
Here is a picture from “back in the day”. After I dug this piece out of the headboard department in my storage area, I got busy and forgot to take a picture of it.
Do you remember my recent project using a desk and that $1 yard sale coffee table? This project is why I purchased said coffee table. I wanted an oval table top with some detail. I used the base of the table to hold that cabinet I made from an old desk.
Cut thrift store coffee table top
Doing my very best, I tried to find the center of the table top and drew a line. Then I measured over from that to get a smaller piece of shelf.
I used my table saw to cut off each side of the table to use for this wall shelf project.
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Add coffee table parts to headboard to make a wall shelf
After cutting the legs off of the headboard, I trimmed each of the ends of the table pieces to make them fit the headboard wall shelf.
Attach shelves to headboard
Apparently I was having so much fun putting this together, I forgot to take pictures of how I added the shelves. Those who know me well have probably figured it out. I used my favorite Kreg Jig K4 to drill many pocket holes to make the shelves good and sturdy.
I added some scrap lumber pieces to the back of the headboard wall shelf for hanging. Extra large d rings were secured onto the scrap lumber. I couldn’t add the d rings to the back of the headboard because it needs to have more clearance to hang on the wall than the d rings alone would allow.
Time to paint
Here you can see the pocket holes have been filled and readied for painting with my Homeright Finish Max. To make things easy on myself, I put the headboard shelf up on sawhorses for painting.
I mixed up some DIY chalky paint primer and painted 2 light coats, then did 2 coats of Behr Beluga (semi-gloss) as a top coat.
You can see the process of a Finish Max paint marathon here. I’ve already blogged about the desk turned into a chest, and the easy mirror frame.
Black headboard wall shelf
I was anxious to hang it on the wall to make sure that it would hang properly.
Can you see that beautiful paint finish on the bed posts? That is not possible using a paint brush. It took me six long years to finally use this free headboard for a project, and I LOVE it!
Funny thing… I love the color inspiration piece, but for resale at Glendale, I went with ‘just black”. What color would you want it to be if it were yours?
This white headboard shelf coat rack used the ends of the $1 coffee table.
This lingerie chest was made using an old desk and the base of the $1 coffee table.
gail
sharing here: Elizabeth and Co. Be Inspired (the place to get great ideas!)
Hi, there! I’m Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!
Barbara Warner
Love your headboard shelf! I like yours in black, but I'd go for the white since all my walls are painted in color - no neutrals for this gal. I like crisp white accents, so that would work well in my decor. You did a fabulous job!
Gail Wilson
Thanks so much Barbara! I love that you don't have neutral walls. You go girl!
gail
Janet Charlebois
Who would'a thought....a Headboard & a Coffee Table
One word....WoW!
Gail Wilson
Awww, thanks so much Janet! Your comment made me smile. I love mixing up bits and pieces!
gail
Jenny Johnson
Love this! How much would you sell a piece like this for?
Gail Wilson
Thanks Jenny!
I probably sold that for around 60-75 dollars.
gail
Dee
What a great idea and I loved the way it looks on your wall. I think the black is classic and beautiful!
Such a fun way to upcycle!
XOXO
Dee
http://www.thecsiproject.com
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thanks so much for your sweet comment Dee! I have a little secret about my "wall". shhhh don't tell anyone. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2015/03/photography-backdrops-and-floors.html
One side is planked the other is currently the gray wall you see in this post. I use it for staging all of my projects. 🙂
Patricia
Gail! what a great use of materials! That curvy edge on the table make a perfect shelf!
I like the fact that it can hang on the wall... but looking at your before photo, I'm wondering if you could have notched the bottoms of the legs and fasten this to another piece of furniture... with possibly one more shelf added in there. It would definitely make a grand statement!
I will stop right here and say... without seeing your shelf, I would never have thought the other idea up... so kudos to you for all your creativity! (and DOING)
Anyway-- You know you're my favorite project girl! 😉
Erin Spain
Awesome project, Gail! Love it!
girlfromwva
LOVE it! i guess good things come to those who wait (to do projects...LOL) the black is great for re-sale. i would probably paint it either oil rubbed bronze or a teal!
can't wait to see what all you bring to Glendale!
Kate
Very nice! It reminds me of a project I did this summer with a swivel mirror holder (you know - a mirror that swivels between two posts and is attached to a dresser). It had nice curves, but I had no idea what to do with it without the mirror. One day I turned it upside down and realized I could attach a harrow shelf at the top from post to post. On the rail under the shelf (which would normally rest on a dresser), I could also attach screws to hang a small vintage tea cloth. I also put a dowel through the old swivel holes to hang more linen. It now hangs in my laundry room and makes the room a much cheerier place. The shelf on top is just wide enough to display those little vintage knickknacks that got lost on larger shelves. So kind of imagine your creation without the middle headboard piece and upside down!
Heather Tracy
This is classically elegant, Gail. You have such a strong design sense, and I really appreciate the way you are able to assess the potential in each piece of unloved furniture that you pick up.
For me, the black is a no-brainer: it will work with almost any existing decor, and it really highlights any items displayed on the shelves.
Thanks again for sharing your process - it's inspiring!
chris aka monkey
another freaking awesome gail makeover, i love the color, makes the white stuff pop xx
Mindi
Ooooohhhh! I love this one Gail!! It is so pretty, this headboard was perfect for it too, so glad you finally got to use it! Ha ha! If it were mine I would go with some type of blue, you know me! Pinned!
Donna Marie
I love this shelf in black, too, but I think I'd like it in any color!!!
David
What a great project. I have an old mirror that sat on a chest with fancy spindles, been sitting in my barn for years. This gives me a great idea !!
Beth Holt
Great project! I would love a piece like this probably in a distressed cream. So pretty!
chris
I'd pass by the inspiration piece but yours in black is beautiful!
Susan Homeroad
I love this project Gail! Love the green but black and neutrals work for me. I paint most of my projects with neutrals.