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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » crib repurposed to bench with storage {toy box}

    crib repurposed to bench with storage {toy box}

    Published by Gail | Published April 1, 2014 | Updated April 1, 2020
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to make a toy box out of a repurposed crib. A family heirloom, or a thrift store find--either can make a wonderful addition to your child's bedroom. Step by step directions to make your own crib toy box. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #furniture #crib #toybox #kids via @repurposedlife

    This crib repurposed project is a great way to save your child's crib and use it for a new purpose!

    blue-gray-toy-box-bench-storage

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    Repurpose Family Crib

    crib

    As I mentioned in my Recent Finds {sick of winter edition} I picked up this crib when I delivered the Lego Table.

    This post contains Affiliate Links

    lego-tableSee this cute  little guy?

    vintage-cribHis Grandma (Denise) asked me to make a toy box bench out of his dad’s crib. Smile

    When comparing the headboard and the foot board of the crib, it’s clear which piece should be the back of the crib (left)

     

    Cut Repurposed Crib with Saw

    cut-crib-jigsawThe first step was to trim the bottom off the headboard, then cut the top of the headboard in half to make the arms of the bench.

    Add Armrests to Crib Bench

    dry-fit-crib-benchAfter which, I cut the bottom of the headboard apart so that it could now become the front legs of the bench.

     

    re-attaching-front-legs

    Here is the bottom of the headboard (front legs) and one side of the headboard (the arm rest)

    Use Drill Guide For Dowels

    bit-guide-dowelsTo put them together, I used a dowel. To drill the proper size hole, I used this guide.

    Add Dowels for Strength

    drill-for-dowelsI drew an X and drilled the hole for the dowel on both pieces and attached using Gorilla Wood Glue.

     

    clamp-front-legsI clamped it all together to allow the wood glue to set up.

    Construct Box for Repurposed Crib Toy Box

    attach-box-cribHere, you can see that I used Kreg Jig  pocket holes to put the storage box together. Can you see the pocket holes on the left aren’t for holding the box together? Those holes are to attach the box to the back of the crib for extra strength and support, that’s why I used 1 ½ inch screws instead of the regular 1 ¼” screws.

     

    crib-bench-storage-lids

    The sides of the arm rests are thin plywood. The storage box is actually resting atop the frame of the foot board (back) and the bottom of the headboard (front) note the gap to the left and right of the lid?

     

     

    added-support-boardsYou can see in this picture I have added additional support boards on the right to strengthen the flimsy thin plywood and fill in the gap. I added boards to the top and bottom and left and right sides.

     

    reinforce-front-legs-kreg-jigAfter I got the box installed, I added some additional pocket holes with my Kreg Mini to reinforce the front legs.

     

    Add Spindles to Toy Box Front

    dry-fit-spindlesBecause the box was large and plain, I added some ½ spindles I had in my stash. I was trying to figure out placement in this picture.

     

    gorilla-wood-glue-spindleThese spindles have been cut in half. I used Gorilla Wood Glue and my nail gun to attach them to the front of the box.

    Patch and Sand Repurposed Crib

    bench-patched-ready-for-primerThe bench has been patched and sanded, and is ready for the paint booth.

     

    Paint Crib Toy Box with Paint Sprayer

    primer-on-benchI used my Porter Paint (from the ReStore) as a primer on the bench—applying it with the Finish Max in my portable paint booth.

     

    custom-mixed-blue-gray-paintThis is Edge of Night (gray) mixed with a little bit of Naval, to get a custom light blue gray, as requested by Denise.

     

    light-blue-grayThe color is a very light blue gray. You can see the difference looking at the white (underneath side) of the seat compared to the bench.

     

    Add Hardware

    hinged-top

    closure-latch

     

    toy-box-benchThese closures help the lid stay raised and close slowly.

     

    repurposed-crib-toy-box-benchI love how this bench turned out. I have so many more beds/cribs, what to make next?

     

     

    gail

    See more bench projects and crib projects.

     

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    1. sierra dallas

      July 28, 2017 at 7:09 am

      Wow! what a brilliant idea. I like this creative, space saving, clever and amazing thought. I have to apply it for my kids’ huge toys. I am really tense because of my kid’s huge toys which are scattered here and there. I have to follow your ideas. Thanks for sharing an intelligent toy storages ideas.

      Reply
    2. Lisa Pechacek

      March 13, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      I love this idea! I didn't want to discard my kid's old crib because of many sentimental memories but i would be delighted to repurpose it by doing this. Thank you for sharing it!

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        March 13, 2016 at 9:44 pm

        I'm so happy you found this project inspiring to make your own repurposed crib toy box.

        gail

    3. Regina Long

      June 20, 2015 at 3:02 am

      I picked #12 because I have a twin headboard to make my 1st attempt. Picked #3 because I just loved the whole concept. Picked #4 because I thought it was a cool rustic charm to add to a kitchen & practical.

      Reply
    4. Holly

      April 02, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      Love it! It turned out great. And what a great way to pass an heirloom down in the family.

      Reply
    5. Nancy

      April 01, 2014 at 12:31 pm

      Perfection! Every time you make a bench it comes out better than the last. Each is unique and adorable, and somehow you find a way to improve upon each of them in some way. Your imagination is remarkable! I wish I had even a little piece of it. 🙂

      Reply
    6. Catherine

      April 01, 2014 at 12:20 pm

      You're the master! L O V E, love, love!
      Catherine

      Reply
    7. Mindi

      April 01, 2014 at 12:04 pm

      So cute! It is perfect, and the storage is awesome!! I really love the cut spindles in the front for the decorative look! It is amazing how your mind works, great job Gail!

      Reply
    8. Di B

      April 01, 2014 at 11:39 am

      This turned out as cute as all the rest. Waiting for warm weather to be able to get out in my garage to start working on my benches. Hurry up spring. it was 60 yesterday and today we have snow showers and the morning temp felt like 8 above. HELP!

      Reply
    9. Kristina W

      April 01, 2014 at 10:47 am

      Nice project, it turned out great! What type of paint did you use? PPG Porter Paints?

      Reply
    10. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      April 01, 2014 at 9:55 am

      That has got to be one of my favourite of all your benches. Now tell me, how did you cut those spindles in half???

      Reply
    11. girlfromwva

      April 01, 2014 at 9:34 am

      Love it! Such a good repurpose!

      Reply
    12. cassie

      April 01, 2014 at 9:19 am

      this one is super cute! so sweet!

      Reply
    13. Katy

      April 01, 2014 at 8:49 am

      Love, love, love it!

      Reply
    14. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      April 01, 2014 at 8:43 am

      This just might be my favorite headboard to bench project ever! So cute, functional and safe too!

      Reply
    15. Terri

      April 01, 2014 at 8:37 am

      You knocked this one out of the park!! Every time I think you can't outdo yourself...you do it anyway! This is the most adorable thing, ever. What child wouldn't love this in their room?! Way to go, my friend!!

      Reply
    16. Lucy

      April 01, 2014 at 7:13 am

      Sweeeet!

      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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