Repurpose Old Doors into Charming Headboards
Old doors are often discarded during home renovations, but these charming architectural elements can be given new life as unique, eco-friendly headboards. Transforming a vintage door into a focal point for your bedroom is an increasingly popular, sustainable trend that adds personalized style at a fraction of the cost of buying a new headboard.
Finding the Perfect Old Door
The first step is sourcing the ideal old door for your project. Scan salvage yards, classified ads, and community boards for secondhand doors being sold cheaply or given away free. Pay attention to size, material, condition, and any distinctive decorative features that catch your eye and suit your tastes.
Key Points to Consider
- Size - Measure your bed or wall space for ideal dimensions
- Material - Heavier wood provides stability; lighter doors allow easy mounting
- Condition - Check for rot, damage, or weaknesses in frame
- Design - Ornate details or colors that inspire decorating themes
Narrowing characteristics and visual appeal make choosing the perfect door for your needs easier. Just ensure adequate support and stability for a sizable headboard.
Preparing and Restoring the Door
Before hanging your vintage door, preparations may be needed to restore or enhance its existing features. Follow these key steps:
- Carefully detach door if still installed using pry bar
- Strip any peeling paint or varnish with chemical stripper
- Sand surface thoroughly to remove residue and roughen wood
- Fill nail holes, cracks, or imperfections with wood putty
- Prime both sides with 2 coats of high-quality primer
Now the door's blemishes have disappeared, and the bare wood or previous paint is ready for your color treatment of choice.
Customization Options
Personalize your headboard door with stain, vibrant paint, or special antiquing techniques like:
- Whitewashing
- Sponging
- Rag rolling
Or leave as-is for a distressed, timeworn appearance. It's all about what speaks to your design aesthetic.
Hanging Methods
Mounting a sturdy door horizontally as a headboard requires solid anchoring. Analyze your door's size and weight, then select one of these secure installation tactics:
Cleat Hanging
This basic hanging method involves:
- Measuring and marking stud locations
- Attaching horizontal wooden cleats or ledgers to wall studs
- Lifting door and slipping over cleats
French Cleat
For heavier doors, this reinforced cleat system promises unbelievable strength:
- Adhere angled cleat board to wall with long screws in studs
- Attach matching angled cleat to door
- Hang door on wall cleat and slide down to lock in place
Just avoid lifting extremely heavy doors unaided to prevent injury.
The last step is decorating your unique repurposed headboard. Accent with wall art, cushions, textiles, and bedroom furniture that enhance its distinctive salvaged style.
Here are some inspiring ideas:
- Paint walls a harmonious hue like soft gray or muted blue
- Display related elements like old window frames or antique signs
- Incorporate natural textures with linen bedding and woven throws
- Add ambient lighting with pendant lamps or sconces