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in DIYing· Painting· Renovating

You turned a headboard into WHAT?! (Project #23 done)

Last week I shared a list of 24 projects with you that I seriously need to finish. Or else. I’ve put these things off for far too long, and I just need to get.them.done. once and for all.

Monday I showed you my finished Project #10 (pictures for piano room), and today I’m happy to report that I’ve checked another project off the list!

Which project did I tackle next?

Why, it’s Project #23: Finish the King Size Headboard project.

headboard_sofa_table_04

I haven’t been THIS EXCITED about a project in a very long time. It took me several months, but I’m so thrilled to report that this top-secret-project I’ve been hiding up my sleeve turned out better than I could have imagined.

Are you dying to know what on earth I did to this bookshelf headboard?

I turned that bad boy into an extra-long sofa table! squeal!!!

headboard_sofa_table_31

Is it seriously fabulous or what?! I still can’t believe I actually even thought to do this with a headboard.

headboard_sofa_table_23

Let’s just take a minute and back up a little…

The headboard started like this:

headboard_sofa_table_02

I’ve had this headboard (and matching 3- and 6- drawer dressers) for 11 years. The set was my grandparents and I was the fortunate granddaughter that inherited them.

When I was 20, back before I had a clue what I was doing, I received this set and attempted to strip them down and refinish them. They were originally a light cornmeal yellow and were obviously straight from a department store circa 1950.

Here’s a great view of the original color before I attacked it with cherry stain:

headboard_sofa_table_03

I was thrilled to have the bedroom set, but honestly, I have never loved the headboard. (I do adore the dressers though.) I did a terrible job on the refinishing; the color was awful, and the pieces are covered in sanding scratches (I didn’t use a fine enough grit and it shows).

headboard_sofa_table_01

Here’s the entire headboard, not obstructed by my mattress and embarrassingly ugly bedspread.

headboard_sofa_table_04

Like I said, I have never loved this headboard. It’s too short, not substantial enough, and is a magnet for junk while we lay in bed (alarm clocks, books, ponytails from my hair, jewelry, etc.) It was my grandparents though, and I’ve got some sentimental attachment to the set, so I’ve never been able to stomach getting rid of the headboard (even though I hate it).

One day, it just hit me… What if I put the headboard behind the couch to act as a sofa table? I’ve wanted a table behind the couch for a year now, but we need one that is very narrow (check!) and very long to accommodate the long sectional (check!).

headboard_sofa_table_05

I was giddy when I drug it around back and realized it was the perfect size; not the perfect height, but the length and depth were spot-on.

I let it sit behind the couch as-is for at least 3 weeks, maybe longer. Every single person that saw it thought it looked ridiculous (which it totally did). I would explain my vision, and I kid you not, every person but Ben (love him!) thought I was crazy and that it would be hideous.

How come after 31 years of being crafty and doing projects all the time, PLUS having a popular home blog, do my friends and family still have zero faith in my vision? It’s insulting, honestly.

Finally, I’d had enough justifying to every person that came to my home, and I tackled the headboard-turned-sofa table-project. First, I measured how much shorter I wanted the table to be.

headboard_sofa_table_32

Next, I tipped the table on its side and measured how much of the leg I needed to hack off. I ended up cutting off 9″.

headboard_sofa_table_08

I used a yard stick to draw solid dark lines around the legs of the headboard.

headboard_sofa_table_09

And then I busted out my new awesome DeWalt jig saw that Ben and the kids surprised me with for Mother’s Day.

headboard_sofa_table_10

This was my first time to get to use the jig saw, and I was really excited! It was so easy to use, and I had all my cuts done in a matter of about 10 minutes.

headboard_sofa_table_11

* If you decide to use power tools on your carpet, do so at your own risk.

headboard_sofa_table_12

It made a decent sized dusty mess, but nothing my dyson couldn’t take care of. 🙂 (Because, you know me, I’m way too lazy to drag the table outside where it would be easier to cut.)

headboard_sofa_table_14

I stood it up excited to see what it looked like (and nervous that I may have cut too much off). Oh-meeee-gosh, I lurve it. Lurve it, lurve it, lurve it. Except for one little thing that stuck out like a sore thumb…

headboard_sofa_table_33

Much better! Next I prepped the area by covering the carpet and couch with plastic and propping the table up on some 2×4’s so it would be easier to paint. Prep work is no fun, but it has to be done! I gave it a good once-over with a sanding block, then wiped it down with some TSP.

headboard_sofa_table_16  headboard_sofa_table_17

Then I primed the hell out of it. Literally. I think I gave it like 4 coats. Usually I use zinsser but I had some Sherwin Williams water-based primer in the garage, so I used it and it did a great job.

headboard_sofa_table_18

Yay, finally time to paint! This should be fun. It’s exciting to paint because you can start to see the final results. I chose Haystack by Martha Stewart and I couldn’t wait to get ‘er done.

headboard_sofa_table_19

Three coats later…

headboard_sofa_table_20

If I were painting a table for a baby nursery, I would have been SPOT ON! But, OMG, this yellow looked anything BUT fabulous, and I even gave myself two full days of staring at it to try to will myself to like it. Not happening.

So I hoped that maybe if I added some white accents it would magically look better…

Ya, that might be the ugliest thing I’ve seen this year… This vision of mine is getting totally de-railed very quickly. I need to redeem myself or all my friends and family will tell me “I told you so!”

headboard_sofa_table_21

Getting desperate, I painted all of it white, then I busted out my trusty Slate by Restoration Hardware… (night picture, I’m sorry)

headboard_sofa_table_22

The grey/white combo is definitely better, but those “wings” on the side just look silly… So I painted them white too.

headboard_sofa_table_27

Ahhh, finally. It finally looks dare I say it? … Good?!

headboard_sofa_table_26

Just try really hard to ignore the massive piles of crap in my living room. I tried to push them all out of the way. 🙂 Kids…

headboard_sofa_table_30

And now, I will bombard you with every angle of the table that I could manage to snap a picture of.

headboard_sofa_table_29

headboard_sofa_table_28

headboard_sofa_table_25

headboard_sofa_table_24

headboard_sofa_table_23

And that, my friends, is the story of how I turned an ugly, outdated, book-shelf style headboard into the most fabulous sofa table that was ever created.

headboard_sofa_table_31

The End.

🙂

Filed Under: DIYing, Painting, Renovating Tagged With: family room, headboard, Martha Stewart, Master Bedroom, restoration hardware, slate, sofa table

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Comments

  1. Jenni Roseland says

    09/22/2011 at 11:15 pm

    stunning! i love it!

    Reply
  2. Shasta says

    09/22/2011 at 11:17 pm

    Wow that’s really fabulous! Great job;. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Summer says

    09/22/2011 at 11:18 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!!!!!!! Awesome job!

    Reply
  4. Aubrey says

    09/22/2011 at 11:22 pm

    Definitely love the white! How wonderful that that special piece of furniture can be used and loved everyday now!

    Reply
  5. Karen Weight says

    09/22/2011 at 11:23 pm

    I think it looks great! I love it white! Way to repurpose your headboard!!

    Reply
  6. Gina Kramm says

    09/22/2011 at 11:23 pm

    I absolutely love your idea! I think it looks great! It looks like it would be great behind a loveseat too! We have some wierd shaped rooms in this house we’re in and it would probably help define where one room ends and another begins 🙂

    Reply
  7. Becky@Organizing Made Fun says

    09/22/2011 at 11:25 pm

    Brilliant!! It’s beautiful. I am laughing at the fact that you paint inside your house and cut inside your house, too! You are crazy! But, it looks super!

    Becky B.
    http://www.organizingmadefun.com
    Organizing Made Fun

    Reply
  8. Ben Hepworth says

    09/22/2011 at 11:25 pm

    I have to admit – this is one of my favorite things you’ve done to our house so far. It looks soooo good!

    Reply
  9. Jenna says

    09/22/2011 at 11:45 pm

    Wow, you did an amazing job! It looks great. You are so creative!

    Reply
  10. Heather says

    09/22/2011 at 11:47 pm

    It looks fantastic! Great job! I would never have thought to do that.

    Reply
  11. Leanne says

    09/22/2011 at 11:48 pm

    That is so freaking awesome! I just made hubby come and look at it and he’s super impressed too. Way to go! I love it!

    Reply
  12. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    09/23/2011 at 12:09 am

    great job!! I can’t believe you are going to tackle all those projects! sounds like a lot of work. can’t wait to see what you do.

    Reply
  13. Tammy says

    09/23/2011 at 12:19 am

    I am very impressed. I love doing this type of repurposing.

    Reply
  14. Alison says

    09/23/2011 at 12:29 am

    A-MAHHHHHHHHHHH-ZING! I love it!!! Way to go!

    Reply
  15. Dianne says

    09/23/2011 at 1:18 am

    I just love that. You are so clever to think outside the box like that!

    Reply
  16. Lisa says

    09/23/2011 at 5:08 am

    Ohhh now THAT is recycling at it’s best girl! Bravo! Now you’ve got me thinking about the old headboard I have similar to that with the sliding doors on little cubbies. You are goddess of inspiration my dear!

    Reply
  17. Shannon at madiganmade says

    09/23/2011 at 5:48 am

    It looks wonderful!! So creative! What a great idea for a narrow space. Definitely prefer the white over the yellow.

    Reply
  18. Carole @ Blue Chateau Interiors says

    09/23/2011 at 6:48 am

    Squeal is right. What a fabulous transformation. Love repurpose projects like this. Well done!

    Reply
  19. Tami W. says

    09/23/2011 at 6:54 am

    Love the accent color with the white. It turned out awesome!

    Reply
  20. SueAnn says

    09/23/2011 at 5:56 am

    Well so cool!!!! Wow! Fabulous and I love seeing pics of the process!!
    Well done girl!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

    Reply
  21. Mallory says

    09/23/2011 at 7:16 am

    Wooooweeeeee!!!!! This is gorgeous!!! Gotta love it when others don’t see the vision! We had faith in you all along! Good to know you have your hubby and other DIYers to tell you how amazingly fabulous you are!!

    xoxo, Mallory

    Reply
  22. Ruth says

    09/23/2011 at 7:50 am

    This is an amazing transformation!!! I never would have thought to do it and it’s PERFECT!!! You should be very, very proud of yourself.

    Thanks for the inspiration…once again 🙂

    Reply
  23. Sarah @ The Ugly Duckling House says

    09/23/2011 at 8:05 am

    Looks fantastic. Great eye for finding something and thinking outside the box for its next use!

    Reply
  24. Rhonda says

    09/23/2011 at 8:11 am

    Wow, very cool. Great Job.

    Reply
  25. Korrie@RedHenHome says

    09/23/2011 at 8:24 am

    What a great idea! I love your creativity in repurposing that headboard.

    Reply
  26. Chelsea @ {twotwentyone} says

    09/23/2011 at 8:29 am

    Such a fantastic idea! Great transformation!

    Reply
  27. PCTuesday says

    09/23/2011 at 9:03 am

    Love this! Something like that just might fit behind my sofa!

    Reply
  28. Kat Griffin says

    09/23/2011 at 9:05 am

    Great post ! it is perfect as a sofa table and accents your fire place and the large frame above. Great Job !!!
    KAT

    Reply
  29. Darci says

    09/23/2011 at 9:05 am

    Fabuloso!! Really!

    Reply
  30. Kerby says

    09/23/2011 at 9:08 am

    Wow, looks great! Such a good idea for a sentimental piece of furniture! Always a pleasure to read!

    Reply
  31. cath says

    09/23/2011 at 9:23 am

    Now THAT is a clever idea!

    (Cracking up over here. Painting in the living room? Is that blooming where you are planted?)

    Reply
  32. Heather R. says

    09/23/2011 at 9:24 am

    That is absolutely fantastic! I love that you made it into a piece that everyone who comes into your home can see and that is has such a special sentimental meaning for you and your family. It is wonderful.

    Reply
  33. Karie says

    09/23/2011 at 9:52 am

    Love it!! Fab job!! And I love that you got a Jig Saw for Mother’s Day!!!

    Reply
  34. the cape on the corner says

    09/23/2011 at 9:55 am

    you know what, i am really liking this! i couldn’t tell that you painted the back grey-it blended in with your couch so well that i thought you removed it, and i was wondering how well it would hold up sans back. super smart girl, love it white!

    Reply
  35. Ashley says

    09/23/2011 at 10:38 am

    I love it!!! You did a great job. We just inherited some antique furniture that I need to tackle! I will definitely be using your blog to help me get started!

    Reply
  36. Ami w/AliLilly says

    09/23/2011 at 10:55 am

    OH my gosh, Allison!! It’s FANTASTIC!!! I love the white with the grey! FANTASTIC!! It came out PERFECT! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Rach says

    09/23/2011 at 11:37 am

    Looks awesome! A lot of work, and it turned out fantastic. And your husband gets brownie points for seeing “the vision!”

    Reply
  38. Whitney Torres says

    09/23/2011 at 11:42 am

    Very very cool!! Love how it turned out!

    Reply
  39. Aloha Charlie says

    09/23/2011 at 12:02 pm

    Amazing! I predict this will be all over Pinterest this next week. Very clever. 🙂

    Aloha,
    Charlie

    Reply
  40. Miss Charming says

    09/23/2011 at 12:25 pm

    It looks as though it was made for your sofa. So hip and stylish! Love it.

    Reply
  41. Tami Seaver says

    09/23/2011 at 12:51 pm

    No one must ever doubt your vision again! I will be fervently searching for a similar headboard… I’m totally gonna knock-off your idea for my living room. THANK YOU!

    Reply
  42. Launa says

    09/23/2011 at 1:02 pm

    Shut. The. Front. Door.
    You’re awesome.

    Reply
  43. Rhiannon says

    09/23/2011 at 2:35 pm

    i cannot believe you did all of that in your livingroom!

    Reply
  44. Katie from Sew Woodsy says

    09/23/2011 at 2:40 pm

    This is honestly amazing! You guys always come up with creative projects!!!

    Reply
  45. Indiri says

    09/23/2011 at 3:04 pm

    It turned out so great! It’s a perfect outside-the-box inspiration. Love!

    Reply
  46. Jennifer S says

    09/23/2011 at 3:07 pm

    Love it!
    Such a wonderful idea and very resourceful!

    Reply
  47. Eileen says

    09/23/2011 at 8:06 pm

    Very very creative! Congratulations on a nice job, even inside the house!!!

    Reply
  48. Michelle Smith says

    09/23/2011 at 11:01 pm

    Genius my friend, pure genius! Great job once again. I ♥ HOH!!

    Michelle
    http://www.thrifty101.blogspot.com

    Reply
  49. Katharine says

    09/24/2011 at 3:23 am

    Ben, that is so great you are supportive of your wives projects.

    Alison, What did the previous negative Nellies think after you were all done? It looks great and as usual very creative.

    Reply
  50. Rachel says

    09/24/2011 at 7:05 am

    Such a great idea. My parents have a bookcase headboard on their bed, I’ll suggest this to my Mom. 🙂

    Reply
  51. Pamela Manes says

    09/24/2011 at 8:22 am

    You are brilliant and the queen of repurpose! This looks fabulous…I don’t know why anyone would doubt you.
    ~Pam

    Reply
  52. Stephanie says

    09/24/2011 at 9:32 am

    Wow Allison, great job on seeing your vision through to the end {even with the family and friends not on board} That is two items checked off! Dang that is awesome. Sometimes I just don’t listen to my family when it comes to my vision on stuff, they don’t see it like I do, and in the end they always like it. But to give them credit they always fess up and give me compliments when it is done, so I will keep them around. LOL

    Reply
  53. Shannon U. says

    09/24/2011 at 11:33 am

    Great headboard-turned-console!

    And I wanted to thank you for posting the Fire Victims button. My parents sadly lost their home in Bastrop near the Colo Vista golf course. Thankfully they had great insurance and are not in need of donations, but SO many people are! Especially the renters and less fortunate side of town. Thanks!!

    Reply
  54. Lo says

    09/25/2011 at 7:35 pm

    Wow, seriously awesome!! And I love your process, makes me feel better about my own projects that somehow snowball. You are so creative.

    Reply
  55. Jenna says

    09/25/2011 at 9:09 pm

    I love it! so awesome!

    Reply
  56. Becky says

    09/26/2011 at 10:41 am

    Hey, I love your blog, and I appreciate how you even post the mistakes. makes me feel normal. I blogged about you here today.

    http://beckyscraftcloset.blogspot.com/2011/09/week-2-my-house.html

    and I was inspired to do the same with my to-do list.

    Reply
  57. Becky says

    09/26/2011 at 10:43 am

    I love your blog and appreciate how you post the mistakes as well as the fabulous projects,
    I did something similar with my to-do list, thanks for you inspiration, I mentioned you in my blog today.
    http://beckyscraftcloset.blogspot.com/2011/09/week-2-my-house.html

    Reply
  58. Kim {ShopKim on Etsy} says

    09/26/2011 at 11:10 am

    It turned out amazing! That was some really great vision.

    Reply
  59. Rebecca McDonald says

    09/26/2011 at 11:33 am

    I pride myself on using the “non” obvious items but this would have been missed by me! I love this idea ! What an awesome transformation! Don’t you love when you even surprise yourself? Love it! Love, Me http://www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com

    Reply
  60. Haley @ thedistractedblogger says

    09/26/2011 at 1:35 pm

    LOVE IT!!!! It is perfect! If I came over to your house and you mentioned the project I might try to sneak out the piece which is the highest form of flattery, right? 😉

    Reply
  61. cathe says

    09/26/2011 at 3:33 pm

    has to be one of the best and most creative i have ever seen give yourself a hand!!!!

    Reply
  62. Sue Horne says

    09/26/2011 at 4:55 pm

    AMAZING!! you’re so brilliant!!

    Reply
  63. Latoya @The Scotts Crib says

    09/26/2011 at 7:14 pm

    That is super cool! Wish I had a headboard or two that could fit behind my couch!

    Reply
  64. judi says

    09/27/2011 at 8:41 am

    allison,
    this is a wonderful repurpose! i love your vision and insight, despite the nay-sayers- how could they NOT believe that you could pull this off!
    i also love the sentimental value of the now turned sofa table. hey if you can’t use it, repurpose it! the slate gray background looks stunning in your room too.

    found you via roadkill rescue

    judi

    Reply
  65. Haley @thedistractedblogger says

    09/27/2011 at 8:39 pm

    Love it!!!! If I came to your house and you told me all about the project I probably would have tried to sneak out with it. Theft is the highest form of flattery, right? 😉

    Reply
  66. Sarah S says

    09/27/2011 at 11:22 pm

    Love it!! Great idea!

    Reply
  67. Tracy says

    09/28/2011 at 3:10 am

    one of the most fabulous things i’ve seen ! LOVE IT !! awesome work

    Reply
  68. roadsidewonders says

    09/29/2011 at 11:45 am

    Wow …. all of that work paid off in a big way. It looks fabulous!

    Reply
    • Allison @ House of Hepworths says

      09/30/2011 at 10:04 am

      Thanks! I LOVE it.

      Reply
  69. Andi / udandi says

    10/04/2011 at 1:24 pm

    What a terrific vision you had to keep a family item in the house and find a way to love it!

    Reply
  70. laura joli says

    10/04/2011 at 3:31 pm

    What a great idea for repurposing! It looks awesome.

    Reply
  71. jennibell says

    10/13/2011 at 6:05 pm

    Perfect for the space!!! Great use for old things. . .thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  72. goran says

    10/21/2011 at 3:13 am

    Beautifull! You’ve got golden hands!

    Reply
  73. jacquie says

    11/03/2011 at 10:38 am

    You know what I love about this post (the first one I’ve read on this blog), is the way you tackle your projects in the middle of the house and unashamedly confess to being too lazy to drag your stuff outside or wherever! Love it! That’s me completely! I get so excited about a project that I want to do it NOW…on the spot! Yes, a vacuum cleaner will take care of the dust! LOL

    Beautiful job. Creative and functional. I’ve gotcha bookmarked and plan to come back and see more of your cool transformations.

    Reply
  74. L.T. says

    07/31/2012 at 7:48 am

    Found this on pinterest! I absolutely love this. Along w/everyone else. I hope once my husband is out of the army (Oct after 10yrs) we can finally have a home as beautiful as yours. I love your home and decor! Your wall colors are beautiful as well. I dont have a blog but I DO have pinterest I added my link. Love new crafts and home ideas! Thanks so much again!

    Reply
  75. EP says

    01/06/2013 at 10:58 pm

    randomly came across your blog through pinterest. you are amazzzing!! genius ideas! im a 20 yr old college student and can NOT wait to be able to start decorating my own house…wayy down the road… but im savin your blog for future reference 😀

    Reply
  76. Nic says

    09/12/2013 at 1:33 pm

    This was a great inspiration to transform that bookself headboard. I really like the turn out. The white dye works perfectly.

    Reply
    • Allison says

      09/12/2013 at 9:14 pm

      Thank you! I love it so much. I was nervous to hack off the legs but I hoped it would work out.

      Reply
  77. mandi says

    01/28/2014 at 3:08 pm

    Have you had any problem with the stability since it is so narrow?? I’m about to do the same project. It’s behind the couch right now. I haven’t shortened it yet and its a bit wobbly. I’m hoping shortening it will help. Any tips?

    Reply
    • Allison says

      01/28/2014 at 5:03 pm

      Ours isn’t wobbly at all but I’d still be cautious if yours is. Maybe when you shorten it it will be less wobbly.

      Reply
  78. Rachel says

    06/27/2017 at 9:26 pm

    Great job! I saw a nice big sturdy twin size headboard shelf in my neighborhood and I am so glad I stopped and killed myself squeezing it halfway into my trunk to bring it home. I am so inspired to turn it into a beautiful decorative accent shelf for my home! Tomorrow the fun begins!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 24 projects I should have finished by now says:
    10/29/2012 at 11:53 pm

    […] DONE. You can see the finished headboard HERE. […]

    Reply
  2. How to make a cheap, awesome, professional Curtain Rod says:
    11/21/2012 at 8:49 am

    […] I like to spray paint IN the garage so that no debris blows into my object and sticks to it. I just propped the pipe up against the leftover feet from my sofa table project. […]

    Reply

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