Easy DIY Porch Swing Bed From Old Headboard
Transform an antique bed frame into a beautiful, cozy outdoor porch swing bed. This is the perfect weekend DIY project to add vintage charm to your front porch or patio!
Yield: 1 porch swing
Cost: $50-$100
Equipment
- Drill and drill bits
- Circular saw or table saw
- Measuring Tape
- Stud Finder
Materials
- 1 Antique headboard and footboard
- 1 Solid wood door (for the seat)
- 1 2x4 wooden board (for bracing)
- 50 2-inch wood screws
- 30 feet heavy-duty half-inch jute rope
- 2 Heavy-duty 3-inch metal O-rings
- White duck tape
- Exterior paint or chalk paint and sealer
Instructions
- Measure and Cut: Determine the desired width and depth of your swing. Cut the footboard in half to create the two side arms. Cut the solid wood door to match the length of the headboard (minus about 2 inches on each side for the arms to attach).
- Drill Rope Holes: Drill holes slightly larger than your jute rope through the front and back of each side arm piece. Test the balance before drilling the final holes.
- Attach the Arms: Place the side arms against the front of the headboard. Using 2-inch wood screws, drill through the back of the headboard directly into the arm pieces to secure them.
- Secure the Seat: Slide the solid wood door seat into place. Drill screws through the side arms into the edges of the door, and through the back of the headboard into the back edge of the seat.
- Add the Support Beam: Attach a vertical 2x4 board underneath the center of the solid wood door seat to brace it and support the weight of multiple people.
- Paint and Seal: Fill any unwanted holes with wood putty or decorative clay moulds. Paint the entire swing with exterior-grade paint or seal it with a high-quality topcoat.
- Hang the Swing: Use a stud finder to locate solid ceiling joists on your porch. Secure the heavy-duty O-rings into the joists. Thread the jute rope through the arm holes, tie strong knots underneath, and loop the rope through the ceiling O-rings.
- Secure the Rope: Wrap a small piece of white duck tape tightly around the rope just below the O-ring to prevent the swing from sliding and losing its angle.