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    Repurposed Furniture » small black bench made from a headboard

    small black bench made from a headboard

    Published by Gail | Published July 15, 2015 | Updated February 16, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    how to make a small black bench for your entryway or end of the bed out of an old, unwanted headboard. Step by step directions so you can make one too. #myrepurposedlife #upcycle #repurpose #headboard #bench #tutorial via @repurposedlife

    You know I love making headboard benches, right? How about a small black bench for an entryway, or end of the bed?

    small black bench

    This is the twin headboard that I chose to make my newest small black bench out of.

    Easy construction with the Kreg Jig

    My favorite way to build benches is with the Kreg Jig.

    To make the frame of the small black bench —I screwed the rear brace directly to the bedpost, and then secured the side brace using a 2.5” Kreg screw. Even though my brace wasn’t thick enough for those screws, the thick bedpost would support the long screws.

    Need more details on using a Kreg Jig? See my article How to use a Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System

    Basic build of a headboard bench

    I tried to strategically place my pocket holes where I wouldn’t have to fill them. The ones on the top will be covered by the seat.

    Adding a lower shelf to the small black bench

    More pocket holes to attach the bottom frame that will hold a lower shelf. Again, the pocket holes on top will be covered by the shelf boards.

    I cut some scrap wood pieces the exact same size to get the placement of the lower braces correct.

    While testing the boards for the seat of the small black bench, I realized there needed to be a middle brace (support) to strengthen the seat. This was not necessary on the lower shelf due to less weight—nobody will be sitting down there. Smile

    This is a dry fit. You may notice that I started the small black bench in the basement shop, and now it’s outside. We had about a week of cooler weather and I was able to bring it up from the basement to finish it.

    Time for paint and stain

    I used Minwax Dark Walnut to stain the seat and the lower shelf.

    After patching and sanding the portions of the bed, and some of the pocket holes, the headboard bench was ready for it’s beauty treatment with my beloved HomeRight Finish Maxand some Heirloom Traditions Paint.

    This is  Black Bean. Because a cold front came through and cooled us off, it was way too windy to assemble the Spray Shelter.

    You can see how well loved my Finish Max is.

    After a coat of Black Bean I tried out the seat and shelf boards to see how it was coming along.

    The next day I was able to use my Homeright Spray Painting Shelter for another quick coat on the small black bench.

    I applied some Heirloom Traditions Clear Wax onto the headboard bench, then buffed it off using my Homeright buffer (on the flatter parts)

    Related Content: 50 Headboard Bench Ideas

    Small Black Bench made from a Headboard

    my-repurposed-life-two-toned-headboard-benchI really am pleased with how this bench turned out. It’s really not like any other bench I’ve made.

    my-repurposed-life-black-headboard-bench


    That’s why I love making benches. No two are ever alike. I have used this color combination before on the pretty headboard bench.

    gail

    See my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage-The Complete Tutorial

    more great projects painted with HomeRight's Finish Max Paint Sprayer

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    1. Jamie

      July 23, 2015 at 9:56 am

      So cute!

      Reply
    2. Joan

      July 16, 2015 at 7:59 pm

      Love the paint choices for your bench.. the natural wood with the black. So cute. Hope you're enjoying Atlanta, wish I was down there to hear you speak. I'm sure you could give me some pointers.

      Reply
    3. Kate

      July 15, 2015 at 2:33 pm

      Since I don't have a Kreg, I'd be interested in seeing how you do this without one. Do you have a link to any pre-Kreg benches you've made?

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        July 15, 2015 at 2:58 pm

        Kate,

        Yes, you can check out some of the older ones near the bottom of the linkup. But since they are all so different, it would depend on the bed you have. You can pick up a Kreg for about $40. In my opinion, it pays for itself in no time!

        check out this older tutorial
        https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2009/09/headboard-bench-tutorial.html

    4. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      July 15, 2015 at 2:28 pm

      Well done! Someone will be thrilled to take it home.

      Reply
    5. Pam

      July 15, 2015 at 10:59 am

      Oh another nice one. Love it. Great job!

      Reply
    6. girlfromwva

      July 15, 2015 at 10:09 am

      great bench! love the style & the colors!

      Reply
    7. terry hayes

      July 15, 2015 at 8:17 am

      I love the way it turned out. Beautiful

      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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