How to make a pretty headboard bench without arms.
Free headboard and foot board
This is the bed that Cathy and I picked up Free at a yard sale last year.
The Blue and Yellow pieces will be used for future projects. The Black piece was used for And They Lived Happily Ever After. For this bench I used the pieces outlined in red.
This bed had seen better days. It was unusable as a bed. The side rails were missing and the part where the left side rail (full size) goes was missing. This bed was for a full or a queen set. Cathy and I typically cut larger beds in half to make corner benches.
Corner benches made from headboards
We do that because when we made a full size into a bench, it was so heavy that she and I could move it from place to place, but we could not lift it into the truck by ourselves. It was too B I G !
large maple headboard bench
You can see where I cut the front legs off with the compound miter saw. We used side rails from another bed for the left and right side and the piece across the front. The flimsy piece in the back was not going to be strong enough to support a seat, so we added a 2×4. I have started filling the pocket holes NOT visible with drywall mud, and the ones that are visible with wood putty.
You can see that we used our new technique of pocket screws using my Kreg Jig Jr
constructing a headboard bench
Using a paint sprayer on a DIY headboard bench
So, it seems we got a little busy and forgot to take in progress pics. You can see that we added the side rail across the front. (we did this with the pocket holes)
Here, you can see that we added a 2×4 for extra support across the middle.
Hardwood flooring for a headboard bench seat?
This bench will have scrap pieces of hardwood (laminate?) flooring.
This bench is not yet complete. We have not attached the seat yet. Cathy’s husband was on vacation, and then the heat wave set in. Hopefully we will get this bench and a cute little twin bench finished soon. When this bench is finished, I’ll update this post.
I’ve shown you a lot of benches today, which is your favorite? I have to say that I didn’t like this bench the whole time we were working on it. It wasn’t even on my top five list after I got primer on it. I only started liking it after I started painting it black!
gail
Assembling pine seat for bench
UPDATE:
The bench is now finished.
I changed my mind about the seat. I decided to go with planks (lengthwise) instead of flooring.
When connecting my boards with the Kreg Jig Jr
Because I changed my mind about the layout, I removed the one brace that ran lengthwise and cut it into two braces from front to back. (I used the Kreg Jig Jr for making pocket holes for this step also.
Notch seat for bench
Testing the boards to make sure the notches are right.
Pretty headboard bench with stained seat
I stained the boards with Jacobean, and applied some wipe-on poly over the stain.
I attached the seat with pocket holes from underneath so that no nails or screws are seen.
EDITED TO ADD:
I’ve had some questions about how I attached the seat. I did is similar to this coffee table top. The pocket holes are drilled into the skirt of the bench. You can see more details in my post how to make a coffee table using chair legs and hardwood flooring. 
Calling it done, almost a year later!
See my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage-The Complete Tutorial
Christy Cantrell says
December 10, 2017 at 4:44 amYou inspired me! I wanted too repurpose my son’s old bed into a bench for my sister’s Christmas gift for her new home. It turned out so good! I wish I could post a picture for you to see. Thank you for the tutorial. It really helped shape the picture in my mind into a real-life, beautiful piece of furniture.
Gail Wilson says
December 11, 2017 at 9:07 pmI’m sooo happy to have helped you! It’s why I do what I do. 🙂
gail
Sierra says
September 14, 2017 at 2:03 pmWhich boards did you drill the pocket holes into to attach the seat?
Gail Wilson says
September 15, 2017 at 3:19 pmPlease refer to the picture above to see how I did the pocket holes for the seat planks.
gail
Lanet Kehl says
October 21, 2018 at 9:35 amI think she’s asking you “how you attached the seat after you had it all put together?”, “Which boards you drilled the pocket holes in to, to attach the seat to the base?…Anyways thats what i think she meant. As I am wondering the same thing…I have made a bench kinda like this and i’m wondering what the best way is to attach the seat, and I like the idea of the pocket holes so you have no nail showing.
Gail Wilson says
October 21, 2018 at 9:59 amLanet,
Thank you for the clarification on the other comment. Yes, I misunderstood the question.
I have edited the post to show how I used this same technique on a coffee table. I’ve only used this method once, but I think I’ll make it standard practice. 🙂
I hope this helps!
gail
Robert says
March 16, 2017 at 10:42 pmI was wondering how wide width wise your bench was and the sizes of boards you used . Thanks COOL BENCH
Gail Wilson says
March 17, 2017 at 5:48 pmI’m a little confused Robert. Are you asking how deep the bench seat is? I generally make them between 16-17 inches. I believe I used 1×6’s which would make this right at 16.5 inches (not including the portion that rests under the back.
Hope this helps!
gail
Phil DiMaria says
February 15, 2017 at 10:17 amHello,
i was searching Pinterest for examples for making a headboard bench and found your site…This is excellent and have found many additional ideas by browsing. Your ideas and workmanship are top notch.
Here is my question: When taking measurements etc I noticed that the seat will be close to the ground. I have a bench on my porch now that I purchased a number of years ago, and that seat is appx. 3 1/2 inches higher then my headboard bench will be. Will this be ok, and comfortable for sitting?
Thanks for taking the time to answer…
Phil DiMaria
Gail Wilson says
February 15, 2017 at 11:14 amI’m happy you found my site interesting and here’s a fun fact . . . most people find me by my headboard benches! I would suggest finding a stool or chair that is the height that your bench “wants” to be to see how you feel about it.
I have added height to beds before. You can see an example in the “puzzle bench” I made out of bed, chair and crib parts. https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/jenny-lind-bed-bench/ scroll down through the pictures and you will see I used another bed part and attached them with pocket hole screws.
I’m here if you have more questions, and feel free to look at all the benches here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/category/bench/
have fun, good luck!
gail
JustMe says
September 15, 2014 at 1:17 amJust beautiful!! Thank you for the inspiration 😉 We just made one quite similar to yours, and although it’s a full size headboard, it’s not that heavy (maybe because we used three petite spindle legs on ours and thinner boards for the frame??), and two people can easily carry it. It’s very sturdy and almost done in just two days!! Hubby created the bench in probably four hours, and I’ve been painting, staining, and sanding my heart out! I am going for a more rustic/chic look (due to the style of the headboard)…never knew those two could coexist but I’m loving it!
Again, thank you…we plan on making many more benches with all the headboards I’ve been hoarding in my garage! 😉
Stacy Goodwin says
September 14, 2014 at 2:34 pmWhat kind of wood planks did you use for the seat?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
September 14, 2014 at 5:12 pmI used pine boards from Home Depot.
gail
Stacy Goodwin says
September 23, 2014 at 2:49 amWhat type of screws did you use? Lag screws?
Billy with all the bassets says
December 15, 2012 at 10:16 pmHow ingenious!! Thank you so much for sharing this novel and unique project!! I’m gonna try it on the next head and foot board I find!!
Billy Greene
Anonymous says
December 15, 2012 at 9:11 pmI like that the bench is not all one color, black. Staining in the Jacobean, made it a 21st century bench. Great job!! And thanks for sharing; it’s inspirational.
Amy Fountain says
February 27, 2012 at 5:00 amBeautiful benches! this would really go well with outdoor spaces. Thanks for sharing!
Karen @ Goodbyecityhellosuburb says
June 15, 2011 at 9:16 pmIf I only knew someone who was handy!
Karen @ Goodbyecityhellosuburb says
June 15, 2011 at 9:14 pmLove it!
Ginger says
June 15, 2011 at 3:36 amBeautiful! I love benches. I’m following from Fingerprints on the Fridge…would love to have you link this up at my {wow me} wednesday link party going on right now over on my blog. 🙂
Ginger
gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com
Denise says
June 11, 2011 at 8:40 pmNew follower here. I saw your post on Fingerprints on the Fridge. I love crafty people since I cannot make a thing. I love how the bench looks painted black. Then I saw you are in Louisville. I’m in Vine Grove. I hope you will follow me back http://talesfrommyjournal.blogspot.com I can be found in facebook too http://www.facebook.com/DeniseMartin.LillaRose and twitter @DeniseLillaRose If you like/follow me there I will do the same for you. When you stop by my blog, please check out my kind of fashion (hair jewelry).
Connie the crafterbug says
June 10, 2011 at 5:52 amI am so floored by your blog that I am speechless! You are amazing! I am a new follower.
Connie
Connie the crafterbug says
June 10, 2011 at 5:52 amI am so floored by your blog that I am speechless! You are amazing! I am a new follower.
Connie
Shannon says
June 10, 2011 at 1:38 amI really like it! I think I like the armless look best so far. Although, the corner ones are cute 🙂
Jennie says
June 9, 2011 at 10:24 pmI LOVE IT! I REALLY want to make one of these. I have the headboard and footboard. I need to get to it already! Can’t wait to see it all done.
Jennie {Cinnaberry Suite}
Handbags*N*Pigtails says
June 9, 2011 at 7:45 pmYours was the very first blog where I ever saw bed/benches and then I outgrew the concept. You’ve got me thinking I need to do this with that bed my dad went dumpster diving to get for me. Reason being: Ive always wanted a porch swing for the front porch but dont see us ever getting on unless I buy it myself. This may be the next best thing(and a great place to take off shoes,prop some comfy pillows on,etc…)
xo
Love Of Quilts says
June 9, 2011 at 7:42 pmI like them all. Trish
Suzanne@Meridian Road says
June 9, 2011 at 7:21 pmI really like the black one~but that last white one makes my heart beat faster. So I think I love it!
Now I want to see what the other parts of that bed are for!
Paper Scissors Paint says
June 9, 2011 at 3:52 pmI want to squeeze these benches you make! I love them that much!
Jennifer says
June 9, 2011 at 3:17 pmLOVE what you did with your free find!!! (=
Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama says
June 9, 2011 at 3:00 pmHey Gail,, i love all your benches but my favorite of these is the black corner bench and the one your working on is sure to be a favorite too. Its looking good.
Stay cool.. its another hot one here today too.
Kelli says
June 9, 2011 at 2:49 pmWow. I’m in love with all three corner benches, I couldn’t choose a fave. And, once you put the black onto the new one: LOVE! You’ve done it again! Oh how I wish you were my neighbor (I could learn so much) 🙂
Kathy says
June 9, 2011 at 2:18 pmAnother beautiful bench! I’m thinking of making one to go in our bedroom to replace the backless bench that we are using in there now that really is supposed to be in front of the fireplace!
I finally showed My Handyman the kreg jigs at Lowe’s and told him that I thought that’s what he needs for Father’s Day! He agreed!! As long as he gets the “other thing” he wants too!
Proper Prim says
June 9, 2011 at 1:49 pmGail, would you quit doing that… now I want to go home and build a bench. My problem is I have no where to put one. I love the last one you made… I agree the black just brought it to life.
Have a great day.
Hugs, Deb
Full Circle Creations says
June 9, 2011 at 1:46 pmI like this bench! Lovin’ it in black. Most of my benches are out of full and even queen size beds but I’ve never made on armless. Maybe I’ll have to try that…I always get stuck on what to use as the front legs. Can’t wait to see it completed.
Holly
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
June 9, 2011 at 12:18 pmvery pretty! i love the idea of a corner bench, too!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
June 9, 2011 at 12:18 pmvery pretty! i love the idea of a corner bench, too!
Terri says
June 9, 2011 at 12:16 pmI {heart} these benches…they are so stinkin’ cute! I would love to make one, but haven’t quite got the nerve up yet. My power tools are quite limited and I am not sure I could pull it off, but I lust for one of yours!
kathie says
June 9, 2011 at 12:06 pmI am loving the new one!! Can’t wait to see how it looks arm-less, it is so pretty already 🙂
Susan says
June 9, 2011 at 11:51 amWhat a pretty bench!