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Toddler or Doll Bench

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 In this post I’ll show you how to make this cute child’s or doll bench from a thrifted headboard.
how-to-toddler-bench-repurposed-bed


100_9813Over the summer I picked up two headboards for $5.00.

Repurposed Headboard

100_9505Cutting headboards on the table saw when I’m alone makes me nervous. I have been using my circular saw for these types of projects.  I use a scrap board as a guide so I can get a straight cut.

 

100_9506My readers are very familiar with this Kreg Jig® K4   . It allows you to drill “pocket holes”.   Pocket holes make a really tight joint that rarely needs wood glue. Here I am drilling the holes into the two pieces (left and right) that I cut off the headboard. These pieces will be the armrests for my bench.

 

100_9510I use a speed square to make sure I have the correct angle.

 

100_9511

100_9513This is where things got a little silly.  I make a LOT of headboard benches, generally they are much larger. This is the first one I’ve made ON a table. When I went to stand it up, I was surprised that it didn’t have any back legs!   It really was the silliest thing.  I literally laughed out loud!

 

100_9514Do you remember the headboard I showed you above that I turned into the sign? These are the legs I cut off of that headboard. They are a perfect match!

100_9517I used my compound miter saw to cut the back legs to the proper height.  Now all  I need is a seat!

 

100_9518I used the Kreg Jig to make some pocket holes in each end of my board. See more Kreg Jig Projects.

 

100_9524That allowed me to screw the seat right into the sides of the bench. (the pocket holes are on the bottom of the seat)  I filled the holes with wood filler and sanded them smooth.

 

100_9527

100_9528You can see that I sanded off most of the original paint.

 

100_9529If you look closely you will see pocket holes on the back and the side right above the seat. Those pocket holes hold the screws that I used to attach the back legs.

 

100_9568I had some extra spray paint, so I took the easy way out. This bench took almost 2 cans of paint.

 

100_9596I think this bench would be perfect for a toddler, and as she grows she could use it for her dolls.

 

100_9600I, of course don’t have any dolls to stage it, so I used this rabbit my sister made for my daughter Jamie 25 years ago!

 

100_9609The back of this bench sits a little high. Were I to do it all over again, I believe I would only use the top section of the headboard, then I could use the bottom piece to make another sign from a headboard, like I did with the bottom of the other headboard.

I updated the bench, see the details in my post Take 2 Tuesday Pink Toddler Bench

gail
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ABOUT GAIL WILSON - A teacher at heart, Gail Wilson relishes the chance not to show off her projects, but to help others find their inner handywoman, step-by-step. Her blog, MyRepurposedLife.com, chronicles her scrap-saving adventures and has been featured on countless DIY magazines and websites, including Women’s Day, Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy. She is a longtime influencer for both Homeright and Gorrilla Glue. With a tribe of more than 450,000 followers, Gail is inspiring a new generation of DIYers to pick up some tools and get to work.

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Comments

  2. Wow, how creative! I remember my dad making little kid-sized furniture for me when I was little. This bench is so pretty! Some little girl is so lucky!

    Reply

  4. I think the height is perfect. I’d display a little child’s quilt hanging over the back of it. Love the rabbit sitting on it. 🙂

    Reply

  10. I can’t believe that bench didn’t sell. I would have scooped that up in a minute. That was a great tut also Gail… I love when you give us visuals.

    Now I want the bigger Kreg Jig… maybe on my Santa list this year. Do you like it better?

    I really like that Home sign… love the shape of that one. Great job on everything.

    Hugs, Deb

    Reply

  11. I *LOVE* this bench! It is SO CUTE!

    I can so totally see a doll collector buying it to display their dolls on. I, like you, do not have dolls around my house, but I do have a rabbit very similar to the one you showed above! LOL

    Reply

  13. Thank You ladies for your kind comments! Ya’ll are the BEST!
    Deb-Kreg jig… hmmmm I like it, but I don’t think it’s necessary to have the big one over the little one. I like that it clamps the piece (may make things go a little faster?) But I’m so use to using the jr, that I wouldn’t spend the additional money myself.
    gail

    Reply

  14. Great ideas. It totally makes sense to use a headboard for signs instead of using up a new board. Great job!

    Reply
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