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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Corner Bench (headboard)

    Corner Bench (headboard)

    Published by Gail | Published October 22, 2009 | Updated February 6, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A large headboard is perfect for making a corner bench. Cut the large headboard in half and add a third leg and voila you have the perfect corner bench. #MyRepurposedLife #upcycle #repurpose #headboard #cornerbench #diy #tutorial via @repurposedlife

    Have you ever wanted to upcycle your vintage queen headboard into a corner bench? Why would you want to? Because, a corner bench makes a great statement piece in an entryway or foyer. In addition, the corner bench takes up much less room than a huge queen sized bed headboard bench.

    How to make a Corner Bench

    This is our headboard "before"

    Cut Headboard in Half (almost)

    We place it on the table saw to cut it. To get the proper size you cut it in half minus the thickness. This one was 61 inches and it was ¾ inches thick.
    Divide 61 by 2= 30.5
    Subtract the thickness of the bed 30.5 minus .75 = 29.75
    One side of the bed will be cut 31.25
    the other side of the bed will be cut 29.75

    Attach Two Sides Together

    assembling a corner bench

    This is why you need to NOT cut it in half. One side butts up against the other side.

    Make sure you square the corner.

    Add Front Brace

    We try to find a "third" leg that matches, but sometimes we just have to go with what we have. In this case a 3x3 or even a 4x4 would probably have made more sense.

    add front brace to corner bench

    We attach a 2x4 for the front brace, using a level to make sure that it isn't cattywampus (gail's favorite word)

    Multiple Drills Make Things Go Faster

    This is our arsenal. One drill to make a pilot hole, another to sink the screw head, and the third one to actually drill the screw in. Having 3 drills really makes the work go a lot faster!

    Measure and Cut Seat for Corner Bench

    queen sized corner bench

    Cutting the plywood across the front is not an easy task for me.

    Homemade Painting Jig

    Someone can probably tell me what this kind of thing is called. I know what it's used for, but I do not know the technical name. Anyway, I made my own by using some old dresser drawer pieces and my battery operated nail gun. I shot some really long nails through a thin board.

    It keeps the plywood raised off the table, to make painting it easier. As I said, I don't know the real name, but I have seen them on HGTV.

    Paint Corner Bench

    I like to use 2 coats of primer.

    A put about 2 ½ to 3 coats of black on this bench. I used a brush, however, I did use some spray paint to make sure I got in all the grooves of the appliques.

    Apparently, I was so busy getting ready for our show, that I forgot to take an "after" picture.

    I used silver rub-n-buff on the appliques. It really highlighted the details.

    You can see it here in one of my pictures from our show in Glendale.

    Over the years, I've changed how I make headboard benches. See my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage-The Complete Tutorial

          gail

    Related Content Designed Decor

    See other fun bench projects here    

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Ted Hall

      April 25, 2015 at 7:23 pm

      Hi, May I ask how much this would bring at a craft sale?

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        April 25, 2015 at 9:05 pm

        Ted,

        I would sell this kind of bench for around $125.00 Some people may ask more, some less.

        gail

    2. The After Craft

      March 21, 2010 at 5:36 am

      That is just... wow... stupid cool.

      What a great idea.

      Reply
    3. Jane

      March 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm

      Amazing! Thanks!

      Reply
    4. The Elegant Thrifter

      October 31, 2009 at 8:37 pm

      So good, and your how-to is excellent, as always. Stan

      Reply
    5. The Elegant Thrifter

      October 31, 2009 at 8:37 pm

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Reply
    6. Carla

      October 27, 2009 at 5:54 pm

      Oh my goodness!!!!! I am officially impressed!!!!! That is absoulutely beautiful! Even without the 'after' photo!!!

      Reply
    7. Chari

      October 25, 2009 at 10:40 pm

      Hi Gail...

      Just checking out your delightful blog since I've become a follower!

      My friend, I love, love, LOVE your little corner bench...it's gorgeous! What a fabulous idea for repurposing an old headboard...I love this idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us and all the "how to's" as well!!!

      Warmest wishes,
      Chari @Happy To Design

      Reply
    8. Jen R.

      October 25, 2009 at 9:35 pm

      That bench turned out fabulously!!

      Reply
    9. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking

      October 24, 2009 at 3:22 am

      What a great idea to make it into a corner bench. Love it!

      Reply
    10. Leanne

      October 24, 2009 at 3:52 am

      I love it as a corner bench and I love it painted black. You did such a beautiful job. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the visit. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Reply
    11. Marilyn

      October 23, 2009 at 7:52 pm

      That is just darling!!!!

      Reply
    12. Debilou~Mississippi Mama

      October 23, 2009 at 5:58 pm

      i just love these benches you do.. absolutely love them.. i have the perfect place to put one like this.. You really have a talent for this repurposing. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    13. Funky Junk Interiors

      October 23, 2009 at 3:45 pm

      I would never even have thought of doing something like that! What a cool idea! Old headboards certainly have new meaning these days. No wonder they're now hard to find in the thrift stores!

      Well done! It's really cool!

      Donna

      Reply
    14. Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage

      October 23, 2009 at 2:05 pm

      What a great spin on the headboard bench. Love it!

      Reply
    15. Sarah

      October 23, 2009 at 2:03 pm

      no freaking way, how innovative! seriously, you've got a great eye for design when you can spot a headboard and turn it into such a unique piece of furniture. excellent job!

      Reply
    16. FleaMarketTrixie

      October 23, 2009 at 1:52 pm

      what a neat idea to turn it into a corner bench, great job!!! very cute, love the black.

      Reply
    17. Cinnamon Berry Lane Primitives

      October 23, 2009 at 1:08 pm

      Great job! I enjoy stopping by to see your creativity. Blessings Leah

      Reply
    18. I Play Outside The Box

      October 23, 2009 at 12:11 pm

      Tha turned out great!!

      Reply
    19. Miss Mustard Seed

      October 23, 2009 at 11:05 am

      What a cool idea! I've seen headboards turned into benches, but never a corner bench like that. You took a dated headboard and made it a really special piece. Well done!

      Reply
    20. Candace

      October 23, 2009 at 4:16 am

      I love it!!!

      Reply
    21. Gina Sisco

      October 23, 2009 at 3:14 am

      Fab job, you know how to handle those tools. Isnt it great!!!

      Reply
    22. Lissa

      October 23, 2009 at 2:54 am

      Just goes to show that nothing can be too hideous to be made into something gorgeous! Love it!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, 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!

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