What does a trailer full of opportunity look like? If you ask the husband, he’d say trouble. My answer is of course lots of furniture ready for makeovers and stuff with potential like this DIY twin headboard bench I built this week.
Last month I kind of went on a shopping binge at our local Habitat for Humanity Restore. It was just one of those days where every time I turned around I saw another gem in the rough. You know how it goes, if you don’t grab these kinds of finds right then and there, you’ll spend the next two days regretting that you left the whatever it was behind, go back and of course it will be gone. If you aren’t in to repurposing check out my DIY mudroom bench, it’s an easy build from brand new material.
This twin headboard was one of my finds. It was a nice petite size and I knew it would make a great DIY headboard bench. What it didn’t have was a good foot-board that would work for side arms. So I figured this would be a great project to share for this month’s Power Tool Challenge and share how to make a DIY twin headboard bench with a shelf for storage.
Looking for more DIY furniture projects? Check out my Folding Screen Room Divider, this DIY Mudroom Bench and How to Update Old Built-Ins with Sliding Barn Doors.
I made a basic frame using some poplar I had left over from another project and select pine (better quality) for the seat. Since each headboard bench is unique, there aren’t exact measurements I can share. The picture is easy enough to see and get the gist of where everything went. The seat is approximately 18″ tall and about 18″ deep.
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Supply List to Build a DIY Twin Headboard Bench
Wood
- legs 2″ x 2″
- front and upper side frame 1″ x 3″
- center brace and bottom brace are 1″ x 2″.
- shelf slats are 1″ x 1″
- seat slate 1″ x 6″
Other
- compound miter saw
- drill
- jigsaw
- Ryobi Airstrike Brad Nailer
- K4 Kreg Jig
- 1 1/2″ pocket screws – This is a fantastic deal on bulk pocket screws! I just ordered one for myself!
- 2′ brad nails
- wood filler
- paint
- paint brush
- 4″ foam paint roller – don’t buy the high density ones, they don’t work as well as the soft ones.
- Martha Stewart script stencil
All the boards were a simple straight cut using the compound miter saw. When you’re making cuts, be sure to get as close to your cut line as possible…on the outside of your measurement line.
All of the wood joints are connected with pocket holes and screws using a Kreg Jig. I used two pocket holes for each joint and attached them with 1 1/2″ pocket screws. The Kreg Jig was set to 3/4″.
My Dad shared this trick with me and it worked so well I have to share it with you… Make a template of wood pieces to fill the voids between the slats out of scrap to space slats evenly. I used my Ryobi Airstrike brad nailer to attach all the slats on one side, and then moved the spacers to the other side with these same spacers.
Here’s how to figure the size and number of spacer templates needed.
Measure the total distance between the bench legs, subtract the length of the slats together, this will tell you how much space needs to be divided evenly between the slats, divide that by the number of spaces/voids and this will tell you how long to cut each spacer template. Make a spacer for each void in between the slats at that size. It will save a lot of time and your slats will look perfectly placed.
Attach the shelf slats first and the seat boards last.
Depending on the length of your twin headboard bench you may need to notch the end board with a jigsaw to fit around the post. Use wood putty to fill in any depressions from the nail gun and paint.
Don’t the slats look great and perfectly spaced?
The stencil was a last-minute decision, I think it was the perfect finishing touch.
Do you love it?
I do, and can picture this petite twin headboard bench sitting in a pretty foyer or hallway. It’s a far cry from my very first headboard bench project a few years ago.
Which was remade last summer into this darling bench with a whale graphic.
Which just goes to prove… if I can learn this and build a bench, anyone can!
A few more good organization projects you can DIY
Easy Build DIY Wall File Organizer
The Power Tool Challenge Team events are always a good time with loads of creativity. Check out the rest of the teams projects for this months theme of Organization below. Click on any of the pictures to see that project.
Brenda Young says
Great tutorial Wendy, love your project. Oh that Kreg jig is on my shopping list, I so need one of those!
Wendi says
Thanks so much Brenda:) Headboard benchs are so much fun to make. A Kreg Jig is a must have item! Seriously, it’s a game changer and you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one once you have one. Thanks so much for your visit!
Anika says
Love how it turned out! Very nice design and colors! Have a great weekend!
Wendi says
Hi Anika, and thank you! This was a fun project to make. Thanks so much for your visit and sweet comment:)
Terry says
Great bench! Thank you for the tips and tricks too .. I will try to remember them when I attempt one of my own. BTW … you have some great tools 🙂 I hope you have a great day!
Smiles!
Terry
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says
Amazing makeover!! Great storage and a pretty place to sit! Love it!
Debbie
Wendi says
Thank you Debbie! I’ve been itching to make one of these for a while, so when I found that headboard it was a no brainer!
Debrashoppeno5 says
I love the bench. The instructions are very detailed and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing.
Wendi says
Thanks so much Debra. With headboard benches, you can’t give excact instructions since they are all a bit different, but tips and good general info helps make a project easier. Thanks for stopping by:)
Amanda @The Kolb Corner says
I love it! You made it look so easy to build, but knowing me I’m sure I could make it difficult lol. Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Wendi says
Thanks so much Amanda. It’s not so hard to make, you should try it!
Cara says
Wow, I love this! Makes me want to pick up an old headboard the next time I see one at a flea market, just for this purpose. Thanks for sharing and great tutorial!
Wendi says
Cara Headboard benches are so much to make. A twin headboard is the perfect petite size for small spaces, this one is only 41 inches wide. Have a great day!
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Well done, Wendi! I love the design – simple and sturdy. Great repurpose!
Wendi says
Hi Larissa & thanks so much friend:) I’ve always wanted to make a smaller version of my big bench and the twin headboard was perfect. Thanks for stopping by!
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
Wendi you’re bench is SO cute! Love the detail slats on the bottom shelf… so cute!
Wendi says
Thanks so much Maryann!I wanted to make a petite one because the others are all too big for the small beach houses out here.
DancingMooney says
Oh I love this idea so much! Especially since there is a storage space for baskets underneath!
Wendi says
Thanks so much Janell:) The storage was a fun twist and I think it fits really well for the petite size:) Thanks so much for your visit!
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
This turned out amazing, Wendi! I found a beauty of a desk at the Habitat store today and had the same thoughts…I knew I had to buy it or I would totally regret it! Your instructions for this build are perfect! XO
Wendi says
You got lucky Christy! Our Restore is either feast or famine. I’m glad I had the trailer with me that day. I can’t wait to see your desk makeover:)
TwoPlusCute says
It’s one of the prettiest benches I have ever seen!
Loved the Dad-tip too, thank you for sharing it. 🙂
Wendi says
Hi and thanks so much:) It’s a petite bench which fits great in our area. Yes…my Dad has been full of good tips and helping since he got here. I’ll have to make sure I tackle all my home improvement projects while he’s still here! Have a great week and thanks so much for stopping by!
Amy says
Your bench is so so so cute! Beautiful transformation Wendi.
Wendi says
Thanks so much Amy. These are always the fun projects:)
ananda says
what a great transformation wendi!! and so beautifully finished! <3
Wendi says
Thanks so much Amy! I’ve been itching to make another bench project for the longest time. I’m glad I finally had the chance.
gail says
I do LOVE it! Your headboard bench is perfect in every way. I love making headboard benches, and they always sell at my shows. I’v never brought one home. 🙂
Super tutorial Wendi, you make this look easy enough for beginners. Having the right tools make all the difference.
pinning!
gail
Wendi says
Hi Gail & thank you:) It’s funny ou mention that, I brought it to the shop this morning and it’s been a hit. You are so right that having the right tools makes the project much easier. This isn’t a hard one to make.
Jo says
I found I couldn’t use my nail gun for some of the seat and lower shelf. There ain’t enough room to get in.
Wendi says
Hi Jo, Thant’s a tough situation when building! I’ve run into it before too. I hope you were able to improvise and finish your bench!
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Thank you and your Dad for that awesome spacer trick!!! I have a headboard waiting for a bench transformation so I’ll be using that tip for sure. Your bench is gorgeous Wendi and great tutorial too!
Wendi says
Thanks Marie! I’ll let Dad know his tip was popular too, he’ll be tickled. This was a fun challenge!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Really pretty Wendi, and I love that you put a shelf on the bottom for extra storage!
Wendi says
Hi Mary and thank you! The shelf was easy and I think added so much to the project. Besides..aren’t baskets the best invention ever when it comes to hiding stuff…I mean organizing;)
Patty says
I love the bench and the storage underneath. The bench would look so cute in the foyer, or the mudroom.
Wendi says
Thank you Patty:) I agree it would be great in a foyer and I’d LOVE it in a mud room..of course that is, if I had one! LOL
Jeanie @ create&babble says
I love it! The spacing on the slats is perfect. Thanks for the tips! The stencil is the perfect finishing touch. I am now on a mission to find headboard! Pinning!
Wendi says
Jeannie..you need to do this project! You’ll love how simple it is and the storage is the perfect place to keep things like dog leashes or hats and scarves:)
Cher @ Designs by Studio C says
Love the bench – it is fabulous! You’ve inspired me to stalk my local ReStore because I haven’t been there in awhile…
Wendi says
Cher..I LOVE our local Restore, of course I usually find way too much stuff on a good day:) I know you’d upcycle something fabulously too.