How to make a headboard bench out of a vintage maple headboard and foot board.
One of the best uses for an old maple headboard is to repurpose into a bench. When you're lucky enough to have both pieces of the bed, you can use the foot board as arms of your new bench. But, even so, headboard benches without arms look great too!
This full size maple bed into bench was one of our (Cathy and me) first benches. It was of course a curb find. We cut the foot board in half, and then cut some more off to make it sit about 18 inches deep. A 2x4 was used across the front to square up the bench and make it sturdy. We used 2x4's to reinforce the seat on the maple headboard bench.
Because the maple headboard bench sat a little low, we built it up by adding a 2x4 "box" stacked on top of the first 2x4 across the front. We placed boards lengthwise to make the seat.
This is the first color we painted it, but we were having a hard time finding it a good home. We then decided to lighten the paint a little, and add some detail. We used a tatouage rub on on the back. This is the heaviest bench we have ever made.
I'm sure it's because maple beds are very sturdy and heavy. We have vowed to never make another regular full size bed into a bench!
That is why we decided to make this corner bench.
Over the years, I've changed how I make headboard benches. You can see more details in my article Headboard Bench Tutorial.
See my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage-The Complete Tutorial
gail
My friend Debbie shows you how to use table legs to make a headboard bench.
Have a headboard but don't need a bench? See other headboard ideas here
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.
Jean Chisholm
This is sooo adorable. Where are you located and how much do you charge for a bench like this?
- Brittany
Love your bench. Just stumbled across your post. Don't I know how heavy those full size benches can get! Thanks for sharing.
Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl)
ImagineCozy
Now that is darling, I love the painted on flowers!
-Angela
nannykim at spindle cottage
Really came out nicely--I have seen the idea before...but yours is really nice. I can see that it would be HEavy!
Maman Tattoo
really nice work!
Joan@anythinggoeshere
I love what you are doing...saving one piece of furniture at a time and turning it into something much more interesting!!!
Betty G
That is adorable! I love it! ~Luv~Betty G~