Us wood furniture makers know that it’s not hard to repurpose a headboard and footboard (smart home ideas). What you need to prepare yourself for is the removal of all the hardware! Let me tell you that when I first started this project, I thought oh, it couldn’t be hard to break down old furniture and spin it into something more useful for my current home design layout. Well, guys, I was wrong. I think I spent a considerable amount of time in the furniture shed attempting to get glued in screws loose, I almost said to hell with this project. However, as you can tell I did not give up and I got through it not too worse for wear. So, now it is your turn to break an old bed down and use the parts to make a decorative vintage bench, let us get started!
What you will need:
Headboard and Footboard
Mallet
Vise grip
Wood glue
Airgun
Sanding paper/ electric sanding machine
Wooden slats (7)
Wooden slats(2)
Plywood (for the ledge)
White paint and primer in one
Remove all the hardware from the headboard and the footboard, next cut the rails and tenon joints off from the footboard to make it easier for anyone sitting on the bench. You should sand down the tenon joints as well to make sure you have a seamless and smooth finish. Next, you should cut down the two pieces of wood for the mortices (these are the grooves that are already in the bed) because this will help keep the headboard and footboard together. Remember you have control of the width of the bench by deciding on the length of the wooden slats. When that has been made ready, put some glue into the mortises as well as the edge of the wood that would insert into the mortise. Use your mallet to pound it in and let it dry before you start the attachment of the footboard. Repeat the same process when you attach the footboard to the headboard’s protruding slats and let it dry. Now we will measure the plywood for the ledge (this is what the bench slats will rest on). Use some glue and your airgun to secure the ledges on the inside of the frame, and we can begin laying out our seven bench boards. You may have to cut the edges of the two end boards since they rest in corners for a nice flush fit. After you get that sorted, nail it down with the airgun and take it outside for sanding. Surprisingly, it’s not going to be one of those sanding experiences where you think you have been sanding the same piece for years (laughs). You just need to sand it enough for your primer and paint to go on quickly. When the primer and paint application is completed (I used white) and dried, take your sandpaper and gently go over the wood to give it a nice distressed look. This project can be tailored to your preference, so have some fun with these awesome home ideas!
I broke down an old bed for repurposing. | creative home ideas.
Taking apart an old bed for the headboard and the footboard (creative home ideas). What I am doing is getting rid of all the hardware in the boards to get it ready for my bench project.
There were some screws that proved to be a bit difficult to remove. | really cheap furniture.
I know that this is a really cheap furniture concept and as a result, the breaking down of what kept this bed together is proving to be a challenge. I used a vise grip to help me break the glued in screws.
Removing the rails at the footboard since it’s not needed. | used furnitures.
For this to become a functional bench (used furnitures), I had to remove the rails because it would have hindered the entire bench initiative.
Sanding the tenon joint I cut off down. | the furniture shed.
In the furniture shed, I can get some minor sanding done like the smoothing down of this tenon joint. For the bigger sanding jobs, I have to go outside!
Knocking off some old hardware on a bed rail.
I can use these bed screw and bolt pieces that I am taking off for another project that I am considering.
Cutting down the rail for the mortises on the bench.
So I didn’t have to get a lot of other supplies. The bed has provided everything so far, and I am using the bed rails as the braces that will go into the mortises.
I need the fit to be snug as a bug!
There can’t be any shifting and unsteadiness with the rail insertion. So I am making sure that I can get a tight fit.
These two pieces of wood will bring the headboard and footboard together.
It might look simple, but these are the wooden slats that will secure the headboard and the footboard.
Before I put the wooden slats in I put glue into the mortise.
The glue adds another reinforcement layer to the construction of the bench.
With a hammer and glue anything is possible in my furniture shed.
The glue is being spread evenly in the last mortice of the headboard and I will repeat the gluing process for the footboard in a few minutes.
Here we go, get a mallet and pound the footboard onto the slats.
I used the mallet to get the slats in properly and I applied enough pressure without breaking the wood.
Brought out the airgun to get everything melded together.
The airgun keeps everything in place, and I allow the frame to dry before the next step.
Installation of the bench boards. | rustic family room furniture.
When this bench is finished, it will make an excellent addition to the family room.
Ok remember I said for the big sanding jobs we go outside?
Well, here we are. I didn’t have to do too much sanding, but I wanted a smooth application of the primer, so this was necessary.
Time to distress the paint job a bit for a well-worn look.
I wanted the bench to have a vintage feel so I used a piece of sandpaper and gently worked over certain areas for a more authentic and rustic finish.