Large pieces of furniture, like the classic sleigh headboard and footboard, often have an expiration date. They don’t expire in the same sense that food does, but their appeal tends to fade as they go out of style. Many people are stuck wondering what to do with these heavy pieces after their time has passed. They could throw them out, but that seems like such a waste. Thankfully, one woman came up with a plan that is easy enough for the rest of us to follow.
She posted her video tutorial on her Youtube channel, Shabby DIY. Her idea keeps these pieces out of the landfill and transforms them into something new… a day bench! If woodworking seems intimidating to you, you’ll be amazed at just how simple this project really is. Watch the video below to see her create this DIY bench one step at a time.
She begins by removing all of the damaged wood. You may be able to skip this step if your headboard and footboard are in pristine condition. Then, she sands the remaining wood smooth. Next, it is time to cut the beadboard to the right size. You can do this on your own with a saw, or you can take the beadboard to a nearby home improvement store and ask them to cut it for you. Add some wood glue to the back and press it into place.
Reach for your saw again, and trim the legs of the headboard and footboard. You will only want to take off a few inches. Then, create a notch in the arms of the bench so it will fit against the headboard. Mount the armrest to the bench with screws, and then caulk the seams. Add one coat of primer, and then two coats of your favorite color of paint. She used colonial red paint. Once that is finished, you will need three two by sixes of wood.
Cover those planks with polyurethane. One of these planks will go on the back of the headboard and another will go on the front. These planks of wood will strengthen your bench. The remaining two by six should be secured to the front of the bench. Now that the frame is finished, you will want to cut several smaller planks of wood for the seat. These should also be coated in polyurethane before they are attached. That’s it! Feel free to pat yourself on the back. Your bench is complete!