How to Make a Headboard From an Old 5-Panel Door

How to Make a Headboard From an Old 5-Panel Door

Find a wonderful old panel door--antique store or better yet--someone's garage!

Typically the top and bottom of a panel door is not equally spaced. Measure and use a table saw to trim up. We had to cut 1.5" off the bottom.

The Stunning Transformation of Chrissy Metz

Trim!

Remove old hardware. Old hardware used super thin flat-head screws so a ratchet flat head screw driver (not pictured) with interchangeable heads will be most effective.

Remove all hinges, hardware and locking mechanisms.

In this case, we had to scrub the door down, hose it off and let it dry out overnight.

Add wood trim--this will capture the 'antiquing' detail really well. We also added a 1"x4" at the top to create a slight shelf. Use the nail gun for this part--nailing each part separately.

Cut trim at 45 degree angles to finish off each side since they will be visible, then sand rough edges. Use the nail gun.

On its end, this is what the headboard looks like pre-finish.

Caulk all open gaps between the door, detail trim and 1x4 and let dry thoroughly. Then prime all exposed wood and caulked areas..

Choose your base color with a satin sheen, colorant for accent color of your choice and glaze. Mix 4 parts glaze to 1part colorant. We just mixed it in a small paper coffee cup.

Paint two coats with main color and let dry thoroughly between coats.

Paint on glaze mix....(water based glaze is best otherwise you will not be able to wipe it off!)

Wipe off excess quickly with paper towels and then almost immediately use damp wet rag to thin out glaze to your desired patina. If you wait til the patina is dry, it will not wipe off...

Voila! See how well it soaks in the wood trim detail? Finished product--now just need to install on the wall in the guest room!

Here is the bed 'before' the headboard is installed...

Head-on shot of installation...double tap pix for full view!

I purposely did not cut the door down to only the width of the queen bed. I wanted as much 'presence' as possible--it's a small room.

Perfect use of the 'shelf'!! Dbl tap to see full pix! Total cost: $27.42

Old Door

Piece of decorative wood trim

Additional piece of wood for shelf

Primer & paint brush

Paint color of choice

Colorant & glaze (both water based)

Paper towel & wet rag

Nail gun, flat head screwdriver

Table saw (portable is fine)

Caulk

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