I'm sort of partial to this white twin headboard bench. It's been very popular on social media.
I also made a blue twin headboard bench with storage, using an old drawer.
I think this twin bunk bed was given to me by my sister a few years ago. It’s been in my shed ever since.
There are many ways to make headboard benches, typically cutting the foot board in half to make armrests. I decided I wanted to make this one more like one of my favorite benches ever, this blue headboard bench with a lower storage shelf. I should have been making these headboard benches with storage shelves all along.
To do that meant I needed to cut up the foot board, so I used my reciprocating saw to do that.
This is actually plan b. My initial piece ended up being too short. I’ll explain that in a minute.
Pocket Hole Assembly for Bunk Bed Bench
To make the side rails I used some scrap 1x’s—drilling pocket holes with my Kreg Jig. I ripped the 1x to match the size of the cross board and added some Gorilla wood glue for strength.
Need more details on using a Kreg Jig? See my article How to use a Kreg Jig Pocket Hole System
Bar Soap Helps Secure Long Screws
To attach the legs to the side, I used extra long screws that needed a little soap to help them along the way. If you don't have bar soap handy, try shooting the screw, then back it out and try again. You may have to do that several times if you're hearing that dreaded SQUEEEEAK!
Bunk Bed Headboard Bench Frame Assembly
Remember when I said I would explain “plan b”. Initially I cut the lower portion of the foot board to the height of the bottom of the side rails. Realizing I needed to have them taller, I used the top portion of the foot board instead.
Measure and Cut Seat Boards to Size
This is the dry fit of the seat. I added a very small piece in the back instead of notching out a wider board. This is the great thing about making your own headboard bench. Sometimes, I make the boards run from front to back, like this Twin Bed Welcome Bench.
Prepare to Paint
After patching the rail slots, and sanding the posts where I had used the reciprocating saw, it was time to get busy with my Homeright Finish Max.
I had a slight change of plans to add a lower shelf
You can see that I added a middle brace (scrap 2x4) on the white twin headboard bench to help support the seat and some lower side rails to hold the bottom shelf.
I used Kreg Jig pocket holes for all of that. Here, you can see where I used the extra long screws to secure the front legs.
Easy Distressing with an Emery Board
I painted the new lower side rails, lightly distressed the bench with an emery board and gave it all a coat of wipe-on poly.
I usually forget to take pictures when I stain. It’s so messy, that I don’t want to pick up the camera. I used Minwax dark walnut on some random 1x’s. I just used what I needed to get the proper depth for the seat and the lower shelf. After the stain dried, I did a little sanding so that the seat and shelf wouldn’t look so “new” since I distressed the bench.
I thought that this bench was totally different than any other I’ve made, but then I noticed it’s similar to the small bench that Homeright gave away at Haven. You can see I have my picket fence coat rack hanging above it.
I think this white twin headboard bench will be great for a mud room or even as an end of the bed bench. The addition of the lower shelves really makes this white twin headboard bench stand out. I don't know why it took me so many years to add those.
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And of course it would work great for the entryway of any home. I always love the look of the dark wood with the white headboard.
gail
Related Content: see the shelf made from bed parts here (the parts I had left over from this project didn't go to waste!)
See my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage-The Complete Tutorial
Ingrid Wright
Just curious has this become a business for you? If so what do you typically charge for these benches? - which by the way are just gorgeous!
Gail Wilson
Ingrid,
I build projects for the blog tutorials, so then I have an excess of furniture projects that I then sell. Small benches like this are generally around $75. A larger, more complicated bench might be 100-125.
I'm happy you like the benches.
gail
SPK
So gorgeous! Love the fence and the rug too! Do you know where the rug is from? Thanks!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thanks!
Great question! The rug is a small area rug I bought at my local Meijer (fall of 2015) As I was looking at this photo, I was thinking to myself....I need to use that rug more often because I really love it too. 🙂
thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment/question.
gail
Mary
Love it!! Keep being creative. It keeps ya sane. Makes me think that I can do it too. 🙂
Mary
TerriLinehan
You are so creative! Thanks for sharing your ideas and how-to's. I enjoy seeing all of your tools too....
My dream build is an indoor porch swing bed..... Have you ever built one?
I'm thinking the headboard benches w/some creative and safe modifications..,
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Nope, I've never built an indoor porch swing bed. That sounds like a fabulous project. 🙂
gail
Mindi
Yes, I found you through your headboard bench tutorials!! I am so glad I did, what a blessing in my life you are Gail! I love the white and wood combo, and of course the lower shelf! Makes me want to build one...
Diena Cameron
Hi Gail, i am very new to your blog and I'm loving it already. Each and every bench has a look of their own, a look that is so uniquely "you" . I'm very excited to be following along as your life takes you from one project to another and hopefully I'll learn a thing or two along the way 😀 I am 64 yrs. young unless the pains from a few surgeries decide to pop up but i love diy-ing and junk stores and antique shops and garage sales and everything in between but nothing to the extent of what you do., so i will watch with glee and hope that maybe i can duplicate a few myself. Thanks for making it fun. ( : Diena
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Diena
Welcome to My Repurposed Life! I'm so happy you're here! I sure hope you find a lot of projects to inspire you to think outside the box with some of those finds you have.
gail
Heather Tracy
All right - that's it! Now I'm in trouble. I knew you had made this kind of bench before, but holy cow! Thanks for the retrospective of your bench adventures. Next time I come across a headboard/footboard combo, that puppy is MINE! I've been scared to try to make one, but if Gail can make a gazillion, then surely I can manage just one...
As always, I come here eager to soak up your beautifully designed creations, and I leave chomping at the bit to try harder in my own efforts.
The combo of stain and classic white with a touch of emery-distressing is classic and just right for this bold but feminine piece. Wish I were able to get to Glendale with my truck and a pocket full of cash!
All the best - I'm officially a raving fan!
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
LOVE the white and wood combination and the big chunky legs, just lovely!
chris aka monkey
you really are the go to queen for benches, love the addition of the shelf on the bottom and the 2 tone color xx
Beth Holt
Ahhg! I LOVE that bench! I want to create things just like you!
Bliss
That's a good one, so I pinned it of course. I'm pretty sure your bench conversions were how I found you too.
Wendi @ H2OBungalow
Love it! That's a completely different front than most of the headboard benches I've seen. I'll probably think twice before I pass up a twin headboard set like that again in the thrift store. Your creativity is always so inspiring Gail!!