As Promised, Headboard Bench Tutorial

Yesterday I showed you a sneak peak of the project I have been working on this week for the American Crafter Contest at Nap Time Crafters. 
As I promised, here is the tutorial for how I turned this. . . .
Trash
{old, broken headboard}
into this. . . .
Treasure
{cute little foyer bench}.
First, let me give you the story behind this trash to treasure. This was my hubby’s bed as a child. It was broken into several pieces and was collecting dust and cobwebs in the shed at my in-law’s. It was going to be tossed to the curb until I claimed it for myself because I had a vision of what to do with it. So, being the little scavenger that I am, we loaded it u in the car and hauled it home. Then it sat in my garage for a few weeks {collecting dust and cobwebs} until the American Crafter theme for round one was announced. “Trash to Treasure.” At first I panicked because I had nothing. Nothing and only three days until submission! Then a little birdie reminded me that I had this piece of trash great headboard in the garage begging to be rescued!

First, I sanded all the pieces well to rough it up for painting. I used a mid-grade grit for this because I wanted to remove the varnish. It scratched the wood a little, but I’ve learned from my experience that the paint will fill in the these scratches.

Next I primed all the pieces with water based primer.
This is where I turned it over to the hubs. 
I told him what I wanted and he purchased a 2×4 piece of wood and a deck board. The 2×4 was cut into four pieces and the deck board into three. He did some sawing, some rearranging, some screwing and some gluing to create this. . . 

The entire bench was created from the headboard with the exception of two 2x4s which attached the front of the bench to the back of the bench. The other wood is used below. At this point, I put two good coats of paint {Olympic Irish Cream}on the bench and deck boards.
The deck board was used for the seat.
The other two pieces of the 2×4 were attached under the first to hold the boards in place. 

I then sanded random areas of the bench, allowing the wood to show through to give the bench an aged, distressed look. 

It was a huge sigh of relief when I was finished, but I couldn’t have been happier! It was exactly what I had wanted!
I’m so glad I had a vision, rescued and brought back to life an old broken headboard. I am using it as a bench for my foyer. Now my kids have somewhere to sit to put on their shoes!
If you have a chance, please head over to Nap Time Crafters American Crafter Contest and cast your vote! There are some amazing projects in the competition and you have to choose three which might be difficult! If you like mine, it’s #14. I’d really appreciate your vote! Voting for round one ends tomorrow {Sunday} night at midnight, so hurry! Hope you are having a fantastic weekend!



113 thoughts on “As Promised, Headboard Bench Tutorial”

  1. This is absolutely amazing! I can't imagine how you envisioned this bench from that headboard. This is beyond unique. And a special memory because it was your husband's. I voted for you! Good luck.

  2. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I wish I would have thought to do something this Amazing with a old crib I threw away a year ago!

  3. This project turned out amazing! I've also awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award…stop by my blog when you get a chance!

    http://www.sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com

  4. Now that's a great project!!! It is absolutely beautiful and I love that you wrote a tutorial on how to recreate the look 🙂
    I'd be honored if you'd link this project up to The AFTER Party @ 3 Meadow Lake Cottage…

    http://www.3meadowlakecottage.com/2011/05/after-party-and-amazing-kitchen-redo.html

    ~Erin

  5. I LOVE this! I actually have one at home that we use at our dining table and another one that I just need to put together…my hubs isn't quite that skilled in the construction area so I am waiting for my dads help. Love how yours turned out…perfect!

  6. Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments! I couldn't reply directly to many of you so I hope that you are reading this! You have made my day!
    Jen

  7. I absolutely love this Jen!!! I think you did a fabulous job. Voted of course!! 🙂 🙂

  8. OMG I love this! Its something I would have picked up in a heartbeat and did exactly what you did!
    Job well done!!!
    Terry

  9. I love turning trash to treasure. This looks like a $500 Pottery Barn bench…I love this!

    -Linds
    Delighted Momma

  10. Wow!! Ive seen a million headboards at our Goodwill and have passed them over….not any more!! Sucha great job my dear :0) Thanks for inspiring me this AM. Hope you have a fabulous day

  11. How sweet! I love how you turned the one piece upside down for the front of the bench. I actually did a double-take on that!

  12. That is really clever! My daughter has the spindle headboard!

    I am having a giveaway on my blog. A chance to win $27 store credit from Cmmoca's handmade shop to get a fabulous organizer! check it out!
    http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/05/27-store-credit-from-cmmocas-handmade.html

  13. You did a great job with the bench. Not only did you rescue trash, you kept a piece of history in the family. I'm very impressed.

  14. I have this same head and footboard, just waiting for a makeover. I told my hubby on Saturday we should make it a bench, he looked at me like I was crazy and then I happen to see your sweet bench!! I love it! Thanks for the inspiration.

  15. I LOVE THIS!!! Great job! Thanks for stopping by my blog and Im excited youre gonna share my lamp shade 🙂

  16. Love it!! I'm really wishing we hadn't got rid of that old crib now! 🙂
    http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/

  17. Wow that is an amazing bench! I can't believe it came from your husband's old crib. Love it!

  18. I LOVE this! It just so happens that I have an old bed in my loft….guess what hubby will be doing this weekend?!
    Thanks for the inspiration, will be following you from now on (in a totally none creepy way!!)
    Rea x

  19. Amazing! It looks perfect in your "spot" with the pillows.

    New GFC follower from All Thingz Related.

  20. I love what you did with your husband's old bed. How awesome to keep that memory in a completely new piece!! great job

  21. You and your visions! This is incredible. I can't believe what you can dream up just by looking at a room or an old piece of junk. John, too! Great job!

  22. Adorable! I just love this piece – how fun to turn it into a seat/bench!

  23. This is beyond cute…it is amazing!!! How creative are you? Way to think outside the box…wish I had that knack. Love it!

  24. What an amazing transformation and I love that it was your hubby's bed…great story! Well done.

    Happy WOW Us Wednesday from your newest follower!

  25. This is awesome! what a transformation!

    I would love for you to share at my party : )
    http://www.cherishedbliss.com/2011/05/craft-and-tell-tuesdays-no-4.html

  26. Love this! Now I'm on the hunt! I could see one of these by my front door and in front of my spa!

  27. Can't wait to see your next entry Jen. I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/bench-from-a-headboard/

    Thanks for inspiration!

    If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

  28. Love this idea, like the other poster I wish I had that old crib of mine.

    I also really like the bolster, would you possibly share how you made the bolster?

  29. This is a great idea- I just wish my husband or I were a little more carpenter handy! Although my husband is trying, he built shelves for me. I would love it if you link it to Workshop Wednesday. It would be a great addition to the party!

  30. I love this sooo much! It really is beautiful! I am so happy to be your newest follower!

    creativecarmella.blogspot.com

  31. Cute, cute, cute – thanks for the tute! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) I see these old 'boards from time to time, but just don't have the vision. Kudos!

  32. Wow! You did a great job and I am so impressed.

    So nice to visit with you tonight.

    Blessings, Amy

  33. OK.. this is great! I'd love if you linked it up at my Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party.

    http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/05/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_11.html

    DaNita

  34. You have no idea how much I LOVE this bench. It is so beautiful!!!

    I am a finalist in a huge room makeover giveaway. I would really appreciate it if you would take a moment and stop by and vote for me. I'm 3#. Thanks. Laura

    http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/2011/05/top-5-plead-their-case.html

  35. This is just fabulous. I totally LOVE it!!!
    I love it so much, I pinned it AND I'm following you! 🙂
    ~Bec

  36. Wow!! This is totally amazing! Something like that would super cute at the end of my bed…hmmm now I gotta go look for an old broken headboard/footboard. Thanks so much for hte inspiration!!

  37. Thank you so much for the idea! My friend owns a daycare and is having to replace all of her cribs, because they are the drop-down now recalled design. She has been despairing of what to do with them, and how to raise the money to replace all of her cribs. This just gave me a great idea to help her out! Great tutorial!

  38. I love this idea! I have a bed in my guest bedroom that's a good candidate for this project if I ever replace it.

  39. Cute is right! You had great vision seeing that as a hall bench. I love the distressing and the pillows look great also.

  40. This is absolutely fabulous. I have heard about these, but never seen one. Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial! Love it!

    Rachel
    xoxo

  41. Oh, my. This is amazing! I saw the tiny thumbnail and clicked over as fast as I can. The shape is perfect and so is the distressing.

    LOVE!!

  42. Ooops, I meant to write "as fast as I could".

    Wow, I should really proofread my comments before I post them. 😉

  43. Superbly gorgeous project! I have always loved spindle beds too. Really love the pillow choices as well. Stopping by via SNS link party, have a wonderful weekend, xxx tami

  44. This is just so cute! What a great job you did on it too! I would love for you to share this at Feathered Nest Friday sometime! Well Done! 🙂

  45. You did an amazing makeover on this bench. I have an antique Jenny Lind bed sitting in the garage that I would like to transform. Great tutorial! I'm a new follower!
    ~Michelle

  46. This is so cute! I have an old twin iron bed, I wonder if I could do something similar with that?
    Thanks for the inspiration, Marcia

  47. This is so creative. It turned out fantastic…love the distressing. I'll be voting for you 🙂

  48. Wow! That is amazing. I just love that you took something from your husband's childhood and made a family heirloom out of it! And it is just simply adorable. I can't tell you how much I love it!

  49. That is so amazing! I adore it! I need to try this! so clever and awesome!
    Stacey of Embracing Change

  50. I love this! I'd like to invite you to post it on Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage. The link will be up all week, I hope you can join in. Have a nice week, Mary :O)

  51. I love this piece. I just wanted to let you know I featured it on my blog.
    http://corner–house.blogspot.com/2011/05/awesome-furniture.html

  52. this is one of my all time favorite projects…it is great and how nice to use something from your hubby's childhood….following now…come and visit me too…xo, Mariaelena

  53. Hello, Jen! I just featured this post on my blog today. Here is the link:

    http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2011/05/wednesdays-wowzers-beating-postvacation.html

    Thanks for inspiring!
    ~Alison

  54. This looks absolutely a-ma-zing!!! I love that the headboard truly was trash too, and now it is just plain wonderful!

    I would love to have you come do a guest post about this at Remodelaholic if you are interested please let me know (via email you can just respond to this comment) and I will get you the details!

  55. The bench is darling! I am in awe of the true trash to treasure you have created. I also LOVE the toile fabric you used. I have lots of that fabric. It makes the bench even more lovely.

    Cheers~
    e

  56. Oh, I'm so glad I saw this! I bought a twin spindled headboard and foot-board just like this several months ago. I haven't been sure of what to do with it until now. I really need seating on my front porch and I wanted something sweet and cottage-ish. This is perfect! We're already painting furniture this weekend so we'll just have to add this to the list of things to do.

    Thanks for posting this and sharing how you did it.

  57. SO SO creative! Am pinning immediately, in case I move out of my little apartment one day & run into a spindly headboard!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

  58. Oh mY goodness! I LOVE this! I have been wanting a bench for my porch! I am totally making one of these!! Thanks so much! Brilliant!! STumbled this for you!

  59. Saw this over on Somewhat Simple and had to come tell you how much I LOVE it!!!! So beautiful. Featuring tomorrow on Sew Dang Cute.

  60. This is sooo cute and I love that it has sentimental value. I made off with a crib a client wanted me to take to the dump (I think they got pretty used to me saying, "Do you mind if I just keep it instead?") and it's been in our garage for almost a year now. This might be just the project for me. Love it, so cute, thanks for the inspiration!!

  61. I hopped over from Home Stories A to Z where you linked your garage sale dresser.

    I've been perusing your site and love your projects!

    I'm working on a series highlighting things that people have transformed from old to new. Would love to include this headboard turned bench and link back to your tutorial if that's ok!

  62. Jen, this is by far the nicest headboard bench I've seen. I've been wanting to make one and yours, no doubt, is the tutorial I'm going to follow. Many thanks!

    Jenn

  63. Oi Jen que linda sua transformação, fiquei com muita vontade de fazer uma igual pra mim. Coloquei sua postagem no meu blog com o link para você espero que não se incomode.
    Grande beijo.

  64. Hi, friend! You've got so much creativity in your blog and I'm admiring all your creative posts. Can you please share them with us at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop? Hope to see you there at the party 🙂

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  66. Oooooh, I am so sick now after finding this sight via Pintrist, someone posted your website probably on accident as they would have meant to post a pic of what they were talking about and well….I figured one more site it’s almost midnight…. Anyway when I seen the pallet dresser and I knew I had to find out what else you’ve done I almost cried seeing this. We just gave up a beautiful Amylynn crib in amazing shape because we couldn’t give it to any organization….needless to say I’ve always wanted one of these benches 🙁 🙁 🙁 ooooh darn… Beautiful by the way!!

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  69. Pingback: A headboard/footboard made into a bench
  70. Hey Jen! Do you have any advice for using just a head board (no foot board) and how to approach that construction?

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