Bench from a Bed-Updated

Thank you all for participating in the Thrifty Thursday yesterday. What fun! There were some really great thrifty finds out there. I am so envious of many of you! Hate I didn't "find it first".
Oh, well, if not me, then you! Great job!

Now onto a thrifty project....

I have a thing for old doors, windows and beds. I like the solidity of them. They make a statement. It is so sad for me to go into an antique store or a thrift store and see those once loved beds (and doors) stacked up against a wall. Unloved. I get the same feeling by walking and seeing puppies at the pound. You just want to take them all home and love them.
But, realistically, I can't do that for all of them. But you can help....in the case of the pound and the beds. Adoption.

Lost? No, I am not on medication.....Stick with me.....

All those unloved beds, there is possibility and promise out there. You just have to look beyond the ugly. Beyond the scratches, the bad paint jobs and ugly decals. Those things can be sanded down, painted over or removed. Think out of the box.

Have you ever seen a bed bench? It's an actual bench made from a unloved, or even a dearly loved bed. The same can easily be made with an old door.



It is really isn't difficult, if you know a thing of two about using a powersaw and screwdriver.
Both of which I have no skill at so I am looking for a good carpenter. Know one you can loan me?
Years ago I inherited my mother's bed that she had when she was a little girl. It currently sits in my basement, awaiting to properly be loved once again.
I would LOVE to repurpose it into a bench for my mother. What a perfect Mother's Day Project. (one that I just blew if my mom happens to read today).
Want to try making a bench too? Here are the basic instructions. Just don't email me with questions....unless you can answer mine. Where can I find a good carpenter locally?

Bench from a Bed Instructions
1.Find yourself a bed (headboard and footboard)

2.Cut the FOOTBOARD in half (not the headboard, thank goodness some of you caught my typeo. I would hate for you to mess up the headboard and send me an ugly email. Don't do it! Cut the footboard in half, it will be the sides. The headboard is the back of your bench. Whew! That was close!!!)

3.Screw one of the headboard pieces to the side of the footboard.
4.Repeat with the next piece of headboard, afixing to the other side.

5.use a side rail if you have it. If not try using a 1x 6 piece of wood. Screw to the front of the footboard pieces. This will form the seat. It should be about 14-17 inches from the floor. (Depending on your size of bed, and the height of the person)
6.Take a 1x4 and screw it into the back of the 1x 6. Then take another 1x4 and screw near the bottom of the headboard. These two boards should line up together. These will hold the slating for the seat. Be sure to use a level. No one wants a slanted seat!

7.For the seat, cut 1x4 slats like the ones you used on the bottom of the bed...or you can cut a solid piece of plywood and use that to make a cushion by stapling batting and foam to the plywood. Or...purchase a cushion.

So??? You have you adopted a good bed?

Yes? Well then, at the risk of sounding like Bob Barker, please visit your local shelter and adopt a puppy. There's alot of love out there. Love back.