I have never really made a twin headboard bench with storage. Last year I made a twin headboard bench with a lower shelf that allowed the use of baskets.
Thrift Store Drawer Section for Headboard Bench
I had wanted to make a bench using a kitchen cabinet, but that didn’t work out. While I was looking through my stash of cabinet doors, I came across this drawer thing. I have had it for a couple of years now. It was a steal at only $5. It is very heavy. I always thought I would use it as a table, never thinking about using it for a bench!
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Cut Twin Headboard with a Circular Saw
I recently bought myself a birthday present. It’s a Rockwell JawHorse
. Have you heard of it? If so, why didn’t you tell me about it? It will support a piece of 4x8’ of drywall or plywood. It clamps and locks in place, virtually becoming my second pair of hands. You will see it throughout this twin headboard bench tutorial post.
I used my Ryobi circular saw to cut the twin bed foot board in half, as always, these two halves will become the armrests of the new bench.
This $5 drawer piece was too deep for the ½ of each foot board I cut, so I needed to lessen the depth of the drawer (seat) by about 1”. I used my circular saw to cut the top, bottom, and both sides. I cut this depth off of the BACK of the drawer piece. In this picture, the drawer piece is upside down. I also had to cut that lip off of both sides in order to allow the sides to be flush.
This is the dry fit to make sure everything is going to line up on the twin headboard bench. Note: I notched the front lip too much. oops!
Why You Should do a Dry Fit When Making a Twin Headboard Bench
During the dry fit I notice that because the foot board was cut in half, the midway point of the foot board is wider than the left and right side of the headboard.
I used the jigsaw to cut off the excess wood on the ½ of foot board-now the armrest.
It no longer extends up onto the post of the twin headboard.
Another view.
Pocket Hole Assembly for Attaching Drawer Section
I got busy using my Kreg Jig 
to make pocket holes all the way around the top of the bench seat.
The Jawhorse is large enough to clamp the drawer piece (bench seat) while I get busy attaching the twin headboard (bench back).
As I was preparing to attach the arm rests, I noticed that there was a small gap, and cut a scrap board to fill it. I glued and screwed the scrap in place before securing the pocket hole screws. This is a common problem when making headboard benches.
Making adjustments to ill fitting legs
Day one ended, with this much done. There is an issue with the drawer unit not meeting the legs. I’ll fix that!
Day 2--I ripped some 1x’s down to size and attached them with Gorilla wood glue and screws.
Easy patching for bed slats
Here you can see that I drilled pocket holes on the fill in boards to attach them to the front legs for support. I also wanted to show you the large gaps on EVERY leg of this bed. Instead of filling the gaps, I used some scrap plywood stuffed in the gaps, secured with wood glue and staples.
There was a slanted piece at the top and bottom of each gap that I was unable to fill with scrap wood, so I used spackling for that.
I filled all the pocket holes and random holes on the twin bed frame with spackling.
TIP: using a piece of sandpaper on a small scrap of wood helps you to get s smooth sanded surface.
Prepare to paint twin headboard bench
And… it’s ready for paint. I start with the underneath side.
I used my HomeRight Finish Max
to do a coat of DIY chalky paint primer in Naval (Sherwin Williams, color in Behr Paint)
After a couple of light coats of the chalky paint primer , I did a couple of light coats of the paint in semi-gloss with the Finish Max.
Did you notice in the picture above that the drawer was missing? That’s because it was getting a little makeover of it’s own. While getting ready to paint it, I noticed that the front routed pieces were actually stapled onto the front of the drawer. I was happy to see that, because I didn’t think the style of the drawer front matched the headboard very well. I was able to pry the three pieces off, giving a sleek look to the drawer front.
voila! It’s almost done.
Frugal option for foam when upholstering headboard benches
Yesterday, I told you that this bench was a little different. The drawer is one of the differences, and a ooshy cushion is the other difference. Did you know you can buy foam at The Home Depot considerably cheaper than you can at the craft store?
How to cut foam without an electric knife
I measured and marked the foam for the cushion, using a large serrated knife to cut the foam by dragging it along the line as opposed to sawing in an up and down motion.
Easy No-Sew Upholstery
As a temporary fix, I only have some straight pins in the fabric to hold it. I plan to do this easy no-sew cushion as seen on In My Own Style using large safety pins. that will allow the new owner to easily wash the fabric and replace it. (hahaha did you notice the edge of the faux floor? I didn’t until I saw this picture. oops!)
Day 3—after the paint set up overnight, I added two bin pull handles from D. Lawless Hardware.
Then I got busy taking some pictures!
I’m so glad I made this bench! Isn’t it so sweet?
This drawer unit was perfect for a headboard bench.
The bed was free, the drawer unit was $5, so really I just had to pay for the foam and the fabric, which I happened to already have on hand.
What do you think about my newest headboard bench?
gail
See my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage-The Complete Tutorial
See more headboard benches here
Related Content: 20 DIY Storage Bench Ideas
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Michael
Love it. Your very talented
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you Michael.
I appreciate your comment. This was a very fun build.
gail
Carol S
I just received a HomeMax sprayer as a gift. So excited! Reading everything I can to try to get the process in my head before starting. While reading this blog, I have a question about the paint. Did you use the semi-gloss finish paint also as your chalky base paint? Or did you use a flat finish for the chalky base? Getting ready to start with 4 chairs and not sure if I need to get 2 different finishes of the same color. Thanks for your great blog and inspiration!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Carol,
Yes, I use the same paint with and without the Plaster of Paris on almost every piece I paint. That paint 99% of the time is Behr semi-gloss. That's the beauty and ease of my technique. Just buy one paint and some Plaster of Paris and you're all set. Be sure to pick up a fabric mesh strainer (reusable over and over again) to strain your paint.
have fun!
gail
Sandi
OMG! I love, love, LOVE this bench. Would be absolutely perfect in my bedroom. But I'm afraid Glendale is a little far for me to travel. ;-(
Thanks for sharing!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
thanks so much Sandi for your comment. I hope that little blue bench finds a nice home very soon. I've had it on craigslist for a while with no takers....
Sandi
Send me the CraigList link please? I might splurge as my early birthday present if the shipping isn't exhorbitant 🙂
Leona
I've tried quite a few ways to cut foam and eventually found that an electric knife works best for me. They are really cheap at thrift stores. Love this bench!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I have heard that a lot, but I don't want to store an electric knife for using it once a year. 🙂
This knife (that I use in my kitchen) worked soooo well. It's a great option for those of us who don't do regular upholstery projects.
Thanks for your comment and sharing that those who need a knife can pick it up in a thrift store!
gail
beck campbell
I bought an electric bread knife at a garage sale for $1...paid for itself the first time I had to cut foam...AMAZING! I store mine in the garage with my other tools! It is one of my "DIY Tips!"
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
AWESOME as usual. The drawer will be very handy.
Debbie
Amazing makeover! Love it!
Cynthia - Clockwork Interiors
Amazing! You are so clever!
Leslie Gill
Hi Gail, you are so clever!! I really love this. It's useful and beautiful
Well done!!
Mindi
Seriously?! This is stinkin' awesome!!! I love watching your process of how you build and fix things and make it work, you are a true master! That little drawer was just waiting for the day when you realized it's true potential and you did it perfectly!! I LOVE it Gail! First off, I didn't know about the foam at Home Depot either, logging that one away, and that Rockwell JawHorse? I need one! You deserved a great b-day present like that, I am sure you will use it tons! Second, your staging looks so good, with the frame and ladder, and the bench is just sweet, I love the fabric too! Pinned of course.
Diane Buntrock
Another beautiful bench. You create things and are able to "adjust" to any shortage or problem. I still have 4 sets of head and footboards in my garage and wonder when I will ever get the courage to build a bench. I don't have the jigs and a few other tools. I'm loving all your work!
Kate
Great project. I have a question, though. You said the drawer was very heavy. Are the pocket screws enough to hold it up (like if a large adult sat on it over and over)? Would it need a brace in the front and back as well as the sides?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Kate,
Yes, the pocket holes are definitely strong enough to hold it in that case. There are many pocket holes on both sides, and in the back. In addition, there are several screws on each side that go directly from the fill in boards into the drawer piece. This is a very sturdy bench.
gail
Patricia
Well now, that IS an interesting twist to the headboard bench! Did NOT see that one coming.
You did a great job... like the striped cushion too!
All this wood work you're doing-- and piecing together to make furniture-- AND! you're creating cute little cushions on the sly?!
Did not know about the foam at HOME DEPOT. That's a new bit of information.
I like how it turned out... cute!
Patricia
beck campbell
Another DIY tip...if you are going to do a lot of upholstering for chairs, benches, etc. buy a memory foam for a queen bed off Overstock...usually can find them on "clearance." You can get a 4" or 2" super cheap and if you need thicker just stack two together and spray in between with spray glue to hold them together! MUCH cheaper that buying foam by the piece for individual projects!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Nope, not going to be doing a lot of upholstering, but thanks so much for the tip--it will help others that stop by. That Home Depot foam was a great deal and worked perfectly well. I've done the "stacking" memory foam on a bench years ago. I just don't upholster very much.
Thanks for your tips!
gail
Sheila
Oh my...another amazing project! You have some mad skills!!
Catherine
YOU are the master! Another fun bench and I love the ticking!
Catherine
Terri Hughes
I love this little bench, it is so cute. You have so many great ideas. Love the color!
Dee
This bench is fabulous!. It can be used indoors or outdoors. You make things look so easy, but I know that they are not that easy and you are very accomplished in everything you do. I wish you were closer to where I live So I could see and buy things in person
I love everything about this bench..
Laurel Stephens
Your latest bench is darling in every way, Gail. I can think of so many places this would be comfy and useful (like my own front porch!) It looks so good with your new floor and background, too, and you styled it to perfection. Oh, and I love the color and fabric, too. So much to love! 🙂
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Laurel,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I too, love the versatility of this bench. I hope it finds a new loving home very soon. Thanks for noticing my staging/styling.... you know I struggle with it. The new wall and floor options make me get a little more creative than just plopping it down in front of the fence. 🙂 The only thing I would do different is dress up the cushion with some piping on the sewing machine.... Maybe I'll do that before I sell it.
gail
Margaret
This looks great! I love the addition of the drawer for storage.
Bliss
It's a cute one!
Toqua
Beautiful Gail! I like the addition of the drawer.
Tracy@www.bluridgevintage.com
I really like what you have done with these two pieces. You make everything look sooo easy to do. This price to accomplish this great bench was even better. I love when you can put something together out of inexpensive materials or ones that you have on hand. By the way.....I see your putting the backdrop and flooring to good use.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Tracy,
I do love a good challenge, and some of this made me think. 🙂 Yep, loving my new backdrop and flooring. You will be seeing it a lot.
gail
cassie
love this- the drawer is a great addition and i love the color and stripes!