Last week, we featured Lindsay’s gorgeous sun porch. Today, she’s back with a tutorial for us from her own home, showing us how to make a headboard out of a salvaged door.

The technique we used to hang the door allows it to hang freely on the wall without any screws showing through or damaging the front of the door. This technique is similar to one used frequently when hanging a heavy work of art on a wall.

Supplies

  • Old door
  • Paint and/or stain if necessary
  • Two 1 x 4 boards cut to the length of your door
  • Table saw (used to cut a 45 degree angle)
  • Level
  • Deck screws
  • Trim screws
  • Stud finder
  • Tape measure

Directions

  • Select an interesting door. I used a door that was left in the basement of my home when I purchased it. I am guessing it used to be the door that went from the sun porch into the home. I love the idea that I created a headboard for my king sized bed, essentially for free, and with an architectural piece that belonged to my home! If you don’t already have an old door, they can be found in salvage shops and flea markets around the country for a reasonable price.
  • Decide if you want to refinish or paint the door. I scrubbed mine with soap and water because it needed to be cleaned after years of being stored in the basement. After the door was completely dry, I used Minwax “Dark Walnut” colored stain to give the door a fresh coat of stain. I just followed the directions on the back of the can. I would suggest being in a well-ventilated area and wearing gloves.
  • Next, take measurements of where you want the door to be located on the wall. I wanted the mattress to cover up about an inch at the bottom edge of the door, so I measured the height of the bedframe and mattress and then spaced the door accordingly.

 

Cut one 1 X 4 length-wise on a 45 degree angle. This piece will then be anchored into the studs of the wall. Have the “short” side of the angle attached to the wall.

 

Attach the other 1 X 4 to the headboard. Place the flat side at the top of the door and the angle at the bottom. These two 45 degree angle boards will fit into each other on the wall creating a secure hold.

 

  • The other 1 x 4 is then secured to the wall as a spacer to hold the headboard plumb or level. Once the headboard is in place, a small trim screw can be used on the 1×4 to further secure it in place.

 

  • Tada! Now you have your own salvaged door headboard!

Keep up with Lindsay’s adventures with her husband, pups and home when you read her blog, The Milkweed Pods.