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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » How to Turn Headboards Into Benches

    How to Turn Headboards Into Benches

    Modified: Aug 23, 2023 by Gail Wilson
    This post may contain affiliate links

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    This collection of headboards turned into benches will inspire you to grab a bed and cut it up. Many of these can be constructed in an afternoon with included step by step instructions. via @repurposedlifeThis collection of headboards turned into benches will inspire you to grab a bed and cut it up. Many of these can be constructed in an afternoon with included step by step instructions. via @repurposedlifeThis collection of headboards turned into benches will inspire you to grab a bed and cut it up. Many of these can be constructed in an afternoon with included step by step instructions. via @repurposedlife

    In The Pursuit of Happiness: One Bed at a Time

    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    I've been turning headboards into benches since 2009! At last count, I've done almost 50 bench projects. That doesn't include all the other upcycled headboards I've used for random projects. Let's take a look at my favorite benches in no particular order. These projects are like children, and choosing the one you love the most is hard. Many of these upcycled bed projects can be completed in one afternoon.

    Black Queen Size Armless Bench

    black and brown bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    If you like the look of armless benches, use the footboard for the front brace. The seat for this oversized bench was constructed of new lumber.

    Visit the My Repurposed Life Amazon Store to shop my favorite items.

    Antique Spool Bed Made Into a Bench

    White Antique Spool Bed Headboard Bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    A slight modification was needed to get the bench to a proper height using the original parts of an antique spool bed.

    Armless Twin Two-Toned Bench

    small black bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    When turning headboards into benches, you have many options. The "knobs" were cut off the top of the bed to give this simple bench a more traditional look. Baskets underneath add extra storage space.

    Easiest Headboard Bench Ever

    green garden bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    This is a great beginner project if you want to turn a headboard into a bench. The build is simple. Adding reclaimed wood flooring for the seat makes this an inexpensive undertaking.

    Upholstered Seat Headboard Bench

    upholstered seat headboard bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    Adding an upholstered seat gives a softness to the look and feel of this bed bench. A frugal source of upholstery is a painter's drop cloth.

    Twin Headboard Plus a Kitchen Cabinet

    headboard and kitchen cabinet bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    It's fun to marry items when turning headboards into benches, as in the case of this pretty white bench with storage.

    Small Twin Armless Bench With a Shelf

    small navy blue bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    The style and color of this small navy blue bench make it unique. Adding a shelf can be a challenge, but by following the directions, you can knock this project out on a weekend.

    Massive Maple Beauty

    maple headboard bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    This maple bed bench is undoubtedly the heaviest bench I've ever made. The neutral color made it perfect for a bright rub-on transfer.

    White Twin Two-Toned Bed Bench

    bunkbed into bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    This twin white two-toned bed bench is perfect for placing at the end of the bed or as extra seating at a farmhouse table.

    Full Sized Headboard Corner Seating

    black corner bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    Cutting the headboard in half gives you a unique corner bench for an entryway or foyer. This button tufting method is the easiest hack ever!

    Add Upholstery

    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    The upholstered back of this bed bench was challenging, but the button tufting was worth the work. Yes, you can turn headboards into benches when no footboard is present.

    White French Provincial Twin Bed

    french provincial bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    A pretty French Provincial twin headboard and new lumber make this fun, fancy headboard bench with shelves and baskets.

    Mid Century Modern Bed

    mid century modern furniture
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    Turning an MCM headboard into a bench was a new project for me. The trick was matching the color of the new lumber to the original headboard. Blue velvet fabric was used to upholster the seat.

    Bunkbeds Are Perfect as Small Benches

    make a bench out of a bunkbed
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    When turning a bunkbed into a bench, you can use the footboard as the front legs or cut it to make arms. This piece would be helpful at the end of the bed or as extra seating at the kitchen table.

    Caned Back Headboard

    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    If you're serious about turning a headboard into a bench, this caned-back headboard bench includes in-progress photos and a video. It's nice to match the new lumber to the original bed.

    Pineapple Style Headboard

    pineapple headboard bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    The tall posts on this pineapple headboard bench may not be to your liking. If that's the case, remember that you can trim off as much of the post as you like.

    Mission Style Headboard Bench With Hidden Storage

    mission style headboard bench
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    Adding hidden storage (under the seat) is not for the beginner woodworker. If you have some experience and follow my tips, you can easily make this mission-style bench a weekend project.

    More Headboard Benches

    pretty headboard benches

    More fun headboard benches to inspire you.

    Unique Headboard Project Ideas

    headboards into wall shelves

    You can do a lot more than just benches with headboards. They also make great signs or coatracks for large walls.

    Fun Desk Projects

    upcycled desk ideas
    Photo Source: My Repurposed Life

    Check out desk makeovers and desks turned into new furniture pieces.

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    Gail Wilson
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    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.

    About Gail Wilson

    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.

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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!

    More about me →

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