• Home
  • Subscribe
  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Thrift Diving Blog

  • About
    • New? Start Here
  • Project Gallery
  • DIY
    • Build It
    • Home Improvement
    • Tips & Tools
    • Productivity
    • Outdoors
  • Thrift Talk
    • Thrift Hauls
    • Thrift Tips
    • Thrifted Clothing
  • Resources
  • Shop

Enter your first name and email and I'll send you 5 DIY freebies! :)

You are here: Home / Furniture Makeovers / A Pretty Thrifted DIY Headboard

A Pretty Thrifted DIY Headboard

Filed Under: Furniture Makeovers, Other Furniture | 64 Comments

Love this post? Share it! :)

572shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

I’m still kicking myself over these vintage headboards I found at the thrift store. Why, you ask? Because there were three at least, and I only bought one!!! I wasn’t listening to my inner thrift gut that says, “If you love it, buy it. It won’t be here tomorrow.” SIGH.

Imagine my surprise when I found this pretty little headboard. The wood was gorgeous “as-is”, and I know sometimes you shouldn’t paint wood, but I knew with paint and new fabric, it would look fantastic.

BEFORE

Headboard_BEFORE.jpg

 

AFTER

Pretty Vintage Headboard Makeover From the Thrift Store

Not just ONE…..but there were several there. And for the life of me, I can’t understand why I only grabed “one” of something so good (just like I only took one of those patio tables I found beside the dumpster, when there were three!!!). (Probably money or lack of space).

Because you know when I went back the very next day to the thrift store, all 4 others (yes, I said FOUR!) were totally GONE. 

IMG_4912

I’m glad that I at least got my hands on one of them because it turned out AMAZING! 

AFTER

Thrift Diving DIY Thrifted Headboard.jpg

 

It’s such a sweet headboard. I really wish I had a place to use it in my own house. I am actually thinking that I may turn it into a bench, with matching cushions/seat. Wouldn’t that be so pretty?!

It’s a full-sized headboard (measures 54″ wide and 28″ tall), but I could see it being a really great seat back, couldn’t you?!

This could make an amazing bench at a dining table!!!

Thrift Diving DIY Painted Headboard2.jpg

Okay, on to the details….

What I Used – DIY Headboard

    • Duck cloth fabric from Hobby Lobby
    • Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan, with clear wax
    • Staple Gun
    • Gorilla Glue Epoxy

DSC_6874

 

When I popped out the upholstered panels, I saw there was caning under there. Some people love caning. Me? Not so much…….

I painted the headboard in Paris Grey Chalk Paint®. Ohhhhh…..how I love this color! Remember I did this French Provincial desk in Paris Grey? It’s a very fresh color!

At first, I wasn’t going to paint the wood. It really was in great condition. But this headboard passed all the “rules” of when I felt it was okay to paint wood, so I broke out the paintbrush. (Read the article I wrote When Should You NOT Paint Wood Furniture? for tips for when to leave wood alone).

 

DSC_6875

I even tested using Chalk Paint® on fabric. I see a lot of DIY’ers trying it out. Meh…It did sort of feel like leather and could have been a good alternative if I didn’t have pretty fabric. But I didn’t like the look of it. At least, not for this piece.

DSC_6880

 

DSC_6876

I pulled off the old fabric, which apparently, was a reupholstered job itself because even further down in the layers I found another fabric that must have been the original. Third time’s a charm, right?

DSC_6877

 

I didn’t take a picture of it, but I used my staple gun to add the new fabric. It was tough getting around the slight curves, but I think it turned out nicely!

After I recovered the panels, I used Gorilla Glue epoxy to secure them. That stuff is tough! I didn’t have any small upholstery tacks or anything, so glue was my go-to solution!

Here’s another look at the BEFORE and AFTER:

BEFORE

IMG_4909

AFTER

I lightly distressed it and applied a nice coat of clear wax. Voila!

Thrift Diving DIY Painted Headboard3.jpg

 

Thrift Diving DIY Painted Headboard.jpg

 

So what do you think??

SIGNATURE

Download the 5 freebies!

Thrift Diving inspires women to decorate, improve, and maintain their home themselves...using paint, power tools, and thrift stores! Use these 5 printables, checklists, and ebooks to get started!

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Now go check your email for those freebies! Powered by ConvertKit

Love this post? Share it! :)

572shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
« How to Make Pretty “No Sew” Pillow Covers
BEFORE & AFTER: Shabby French Bedside Tables »

Comments

  1. Donna @ Modern on Monticello says

    March 3, 2021 at 5:12 PM

    Don’t you hate when you pass up a good project! At least you picked up one of them and the makeover is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the project this week. #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
  2. Michele Michael says

    March 2, 2021 at 11:28 PM

    Hi Serena. Good looking upcycle. I think it’s so perfect for a bench. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.

    Reply
  3. Karins Kottage says

    February 23, 2021 at 12:37 PM

    Oh my gosh!! This looks soo amazing! I love how it turned out! I do the same thing with thrifted finds… if there’s more than one .. why did I not buy all of them!! Oh well it just means you have to go out thrifting again to find more treasures 😂👍🏻

    Come link up to my centerpiece Wednesday linky party and share your ideas! It goes live every Tuesday at 4pm MST

    Karin

    Reply
  4. Linda Primmer says

    February 22, 2021 at 5:56 PM

    Gorgeous headboard makeover. Love the fabric selection. Thanks so much for sharing at a Love Your Creativity. I shall be featuring this beautiful headboard next Sunday.

    Reply
    • Serena Appiah says

      February 23, 2021 at 12:05 PM

      Thank you, Linda!!

      Reply
  5. Nancy says

    August 9, 2017 at 12:47 PM

    It is beautiful!!
    So, do you sell your creations?? Just wondering…it is darling though.
    I think if you could pull off a bench, that would be marvelous!!
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Serena Appiah says

      August 10, 2017 at 3:43 PM

      Thanks, Nancy! I have sold my creations here and there, but I generally use them for my own house since I need so much “work” done to my house and some much decorating to be done. LOL. Thank you for stopping over!

      Reply
  6. Debrashoppeno5 says

    August 8, 2017 at 9:59 PM

    The headboard is fantastic. You did a beautiful job on it.

    Reply
    • Serena Appiah says

      August 10, 2017 at 3:56 PM

      Thank you, Debra! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kim~madeinaday says

    August 8, 2017 at 11:05 AM

    Nice makeover! Love the yellow you chose! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
    Kim

    Reply
  8. Virginia says

    August 8, 2017 at 7:44 AM

    This is absolutely gorgeous! When you pulled off the panels, what was holding it on? I have some dining chairs that are upholstered on two sides and when I pulled the panels off they were nailed/tacked in but it’s going to be tricky to find the right way to reattach them. I love your idea of using Gorilla Epoxy but am not sure whether that would work. I’ve never done that before!

    Virginia
    More to Mrs. E

    Reply
« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. Never Buy a Headboard Again; 9 Amazing DIY Headboards – healthy-speak.com says:
    March 14, 2017 at 8:42 AM

    […] Appiah understands how to pay a little and get a lot. She painted and reupholstered this vintage DIY headboard over on her site, Thrift Diving. This beautiful headboard, Serena suggests, could also be used as a […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I’m Serena Appiah (rhymes with IKEA). I think home should be affordable. All you need is paint, power tools and thrift stores. >> READ MORE...

Subscribe and I’ll send you 5 freebies to your inbox! :)

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Work With Me

  • Media
  • Advertise
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

Watch “How To” Tutorials

Enter your name and email and I'll send you 5 DIY freebies! :)

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · Theme by Restored 316 · Custom Design by Moritz Fine Designs

Copyright © 2021 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in