The ugliest door in the world becomes a great repurposed door headboard.
I asked begged for this heavy duty door from a friend of mine. I saw it, and didn't have means to get it home. It was on the second floor, and was going to be a challenge to get down the stairs and into the truck. So the friend actually dropped it off to me. 🙂
Reclaimed Door
This door was on an apartment building, that someone apparently felt it was an unsafe neighborhood.
Ready the Door by Removing Hardware
This is what it looked like after I removed that ugly black kick plate.
There were locks and braces located up and down the side of the door. I removed over 75 screws and all this hardware.
Add Trim to Repurposed Door Headboard
This was a 5 panel door, which was too big for my bed. Carefully, I used the table saw to cut off one of the panels.
Then I added a 1x4 on the top of the door with crown molding attached to it. I admit, it's still pretty ugly during this phase.
Secure Legs to Door To Make it a Headboard
Finally, I attached legs.
It's hard to see in this picture, but I put a 1x4 across the bottom of the door to hide all of the ugliness of the hardware holes. Even though this ugliness would have been hidden by the bed, I just couldn't leave it as it was. Sometimes, you just have to go the extra mile.
I wanted it to be two toned, so I started with this white and sort of a pinkish rose color. Hindsight, I should have left it white in the first place. What do you think?
Yep, I even test drove it for a few days in the bedroom.
I decided I wanted something a little darker. Please excuse that UGLY tongue and groove paneling. This wall was in need of some heavy duty drywall work YEARS ago, and we husband decided that the tongue and groove was the way to go. I didn't like it then, and really hate it now. It will be getting a re-do next spring. (hopefully) This headboard was one of the very first things I repurposed. In the spring when I re-do that wall, I will probably end up repainting the headboard. That's the best thing about all this stuff we do, new paint makes all the difference in the world.
Edited to add: I still intend to update my bedroom, but I think it’s going to be later this summer. Edited again July 27, 2010. It’s done! I did it! This is how my headboard looks now in my new bedroom: I think it looks less like a door now that I have cut the legs down a little and added the appliques.
gail
One more edit!!
I painted the bedroom a pretty blue/gray! I keep changing out comforters and quilts, but I haven't changed the headboard in years --yet!
gail
Lucy
I love your blog. No long texts with explanation because your many sequential pictures tell everything and make clear what you have done. I also very much appreciate your discussion of the products you buy and use--how and why. All of it is so helpful. Many thanks for this one--and all the others, too.
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Beautiful headboard, great room!!! May I ask the color of the walls? It looks so beautiful with the white headboard!!
- Brittany
I'm a sucker for old doors. I love how your headboard turned out. Thanks for sharing!
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
Sixty-Fifth Avenue
Wow! amazing job, it looks beautiful!
Londen
Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys
Great job! So eclectic!
Chari at Happy To Design
Hi Gail...
Ohhh...I just love those old doors...they have so much character! I think it made for the perfect headboard...I love it!!! Love the colors you chose to paint the headboard as well! What a fabulous project, my friend! Thank you so much for sharing it with us for Sunday Favorites this week...great post!!!
I hope that you had a wonderful Mother's Day! I enjoyed mine!
Have a fabulous week, Gail!
Chari @Happy To Design
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
i love it! i would love to do that in my room, but we have a window right behind the bed, so we have to keep an open style headboard to let light in- bummer! i think the wood paneling on the wall would look awesome painted!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
i love it! i would love to do that in my room, but we have a window right behind the bed, so we have to keep an open style headboard to let light in- bummer! i think the wood paneling on the wall would look awesome painted!
Holly
It is beautiful. I just bought the most awesome turquoise door form one of the old Victorians in my area and I love it...I love it so much I may just hang it as is in my house...or doing something spectacular like this!
Holly
504main.com
Keetha Denise Broyles
I LOVE old doors used as headboards!
Pam
You always luck up on all the nice finds...or give aways. Great job
The Polka Dot Closet
It looks great, all worth it now. I bet you were questioning it as you were removing the all the screws!
Wanda Lee Of The Plumed Pen
This is just fabulous;I love it!..,
Cheers from Wanda Lee
Flory
what a great job! two thumbs up for you!
happy Sunday fave!
flory
Angie K
It looks great! BTW, I just bought a house with LOTS of ugly pine tongue & grove (mine are the wider planks). I'm planning on priming & painting them for now until my budget allows them to come out & be replaced with sheetrock. My curiousity is peaked to see what you do with yours...
Restyled Vintage
Cool headboard! What about painting the panelled wall? That would look fantastic in a white/off white colour 🙂
Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden
It turned out fantastic! I would love to do the same thing! Just need to find a door...
Coleen's Corner
Another great piece - you never cease to amaze me! Have a great Mother's Day 🙂
Sierra
hey! just saw your post for the first time...i also repurposed a door into a headboard...but i kept the hardware on (b/c i love the look) and just hung it on the wall. here's a link to before and after's...it was a whitish color on one side and a brown on the other...i had to strip it twice with citristrip, then sand it, prime it, and paint it. it was totally worth it though! i got it for $10 at an estate sale!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43326272@N08/
I hope you like it.
-Sierra
sierra.keaster@gmail.com
Andrea
You are so creative! This looks great! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! ~Andrea
http://www.andreasattic-andrea.blogspot.com
~ Regan
Beautiful! I would love to find a door that works for me- I have a king size and most doors fall just a tad too short. Hmmm... seeing how easily you just popped some 1x4's on yours is making me rethink everything! Love the door, and honestly- I don't think the wall is so bad- maybe just paint it so you like it better?
Bringing Pretty Back
I wish I had the ability to see things that are nothing and be able to turn them into something beautiful. You are so talented. this turned out great!
Diann @ the Thrifty Groove
That turned out wonderful!
I hope you have a terrific Mother's Day!
Homemade Quilts by Granny
I really like that as a headboard. Trish
Townhouse Trials
Looks awsome!
I have an old door sitting in my basement and had no idea what to do with it.
Prior
LOVE it! Great pics of the process... I usually forget that part, in my excitement to get started. Lezlee
Marydon Ford
Awesome transformation! Love it.
Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon
Miss Mustard Seed
Boy, you really gave that old door a new life in more ways than one. Nice job!
Sarah
this is so creative. turned out fantastic!