DIY Pallet Headboard for Under $20!!

For the longest time I wanted to build a pallet headboard, but couldn't find the right plans for the one I envisioned on my DIY bucket-list. Yes, I'm terribly corny and created one as soon as we moved into our home;-) I'm not one to really use plans or follow them anyhow so I just followed my instincts and here is what my husband and I put together...

The "scratch look" and imperfections are two things I was really striving for. Nothing seems to fit, but everything flows together nicely like a pallet puzzle. Putting the boards together in the "perfect" spots took more than a few tries, but we really are happy with the outcome and it ended up being everything I dreamt about:)

Each pallet board has a different shade to it, a different imperfection, scratch, dent, mark, and just full of texture and history. I love that!

We haven't attached it to the frame (or wall) yet because we are going to paint the walls, build a new wood bed frame out of scratch and possibly a footboard to match the headboard. 

We attached bolts for appeal and function and spray painted them copper for an unexpected accent.

Each bolt cost $1 each and the copper spray paint we already had but originally cost $4.

I think it is safe to say that I may have a new love for copper.

It has almost a rustic fireplace mantel look to it that I am currently obsessing over!

If you love it just as much as we do, keep scrolling and we will show you how we did it!

Just a girl and her dog admiring the view!! :)

 Let's get started!!

First and foremost... If you don't have any pallets, you'll have to find them. A lot of retail businesses will stock them up behind their building for trash pick-up. Perfect opportunity to snatch them up. If you aren't 100% sure, ask an employee or manager if you can have them. There are plenty of places to find them if you know where to look. Craigslist is a great place too! Most times, they are in the free section!!

After you have collected a stack of pallets (we used all different types and sizes), you will have to take them apart. It can be time consuming, a lot of work and kind of tricky if you've never took apart pallets before. I like to use a flathead screw driver, a crowbar, and a hammer to do the job. Make sure you have a fairly decent amount of pallets because taking them apart can make some of the boards unusable. If you have a little bit of wood splitting or damage, don't worry, a lot of the boards can be sanded down enough to be used. And we like the imperfections anyways;-)

After you pick all your boards out that you want to use, sand them!

 Next, you will either want to make a frame or find a base to work on. 

We decided to use an old piece of plywood left over from another project to attach the boards to.

I cut it down to size for a queen sized bed headboard. Most standard headboards are 64 inches wide. 

I made mine 48 x 64 in.

Next, you will want to measure out all your boards to cut and fit on the plywood base.

We decided to use an old board left over from another project that was weathered pretty nicely into a "barn wood" shade as the top of our headboard. We decided to cut it to "hang" off the base 6 inches on each side.

Our table saw did the job nicely.

We decided to use wood glue to attach the boards to the plywood.

If you are going to buy Gorilla glue "white", I recommend getting 6-8 of these small bottles if you can't find the larger ones. You are going to need a lot of glue!

We used large clamps to help hold the board down a

nd add the pressure we needed for quick,even drying. 

After we were finished with the top board, we cut and glued the side boards that frame the headboard.

After you "frame" out the headboard, place your pallets on the plywood where you like them. Once you figure out your "pallet puzzle", cut, place and glue. CPG! You shouldn't need the clamps to hold down the pallet boards, but pressure is key to drying. We put 15-20lb weights on top to keep them down while the glue dries.

You will notice that the boards at the bottom run off a bit. We decided to leave it as is in fear of the delicate wood splitting. (plus my mattress will cover the bottom anyhow ha!)...

Once you are finished attaching all your boards to the plywood, figure out a way to elevate the headboard so you can get under it rather than behind it to keep the boards in place while you complete the next step. You should use wood horses but we improvised with the oversized coolers we had in the garage. Sometimes you just have to use what you got!! 

This next step is very important... securing the pallets!!

We decided to use a staple gun instead of a nail gun (or hammer and nails) to fasten the boards onto the plywood from the back.

Make sure you staple all the boards to the plywood. 

You can never go over board with securing something!!

Don't forget to cut or sand off any excess plywood!! (or measure correctly haha)  Or you will have this boo-boo.. >.<

But, its ok because we are going for imperfection anyways!!

You will want to "round off" any sharp edges and corners of all your boards if you haven't already. 

It is always good to sand again before your finished!!

This board was a "must use" with all its character!

Make sure you sand enough to be able to run your hand across all the boards without getting any splinters!! Keep sanding off those corners!! The smoother the better and safety is key!!

Once all your measuring, cutting, sanding, glueing, stapling and sanding again is finished, admire your work haha..

Next major step is to attach the "legs"...

We couldn't find the wood we needed so we bought 2 by 4s in pine (they will be unseen so no need for staining, weathering, painting, etc...)

Pre-drill the holes in the frame for the bolts we will use for appearance and function.

Then pre-drill the holes in the "legs"...

We decided to use copper spray paint we already had for the bolts.

Of course, do that step outdoors!

Finish pre-drilling for the nut & bolt then sand out the edges (something I wish we did better haha!)

Once that is all finished, attach the legs with nuts and bolts (copper painted). We used 6 altogether, 3 on each side. Only 2 are really visible once the headboard goes up and the mattress covers the others, so you can attach these closer together if you want them all to be visible on the frame.

After everything is attached, you are finished!! 

I am absolutely in love with the result and can't wait to finish the bed frame 

and maybe even a footrest to complete a whole bed!! 

The best part about this project is that we spent under $20 to complete it!!

The one thing I love most about this headboard is that my husband and I created it.. I almost want to carve a heart with our initials in one of the boards!!

Thank you for taking the time to share the experience of my dream pallet headboard project!! 

Hopefully sometime soon I will have a Master Bedroom Makeover post to share as well!! 

I'm off to cross more projects off my bucket-list!!

Happy DIYing!!

DIY "Industrial" Farmhouse Chandelier

     The moment we walked into this house after searching for so long for a house that we loved, we knew this was the one. It was perfect for our "big" little family. I loved how the entire house was like a blank canvas just waiting for us to transform her into a home. Though there was the "old" vintage charm we adore in a home, equally, there was many builder-grade characteristics we couldn't wait to change. One in particular was the dinning room light fixture. It screamed boring builder-grade dullness and I immediately said, "I am definitely taking that down!" with the realtor still standing next to us. At that point in time I had no idea if we would even get the house, we didn't even sign papers yet and I was already declaring change. Haha! Well it stayed for quite a while. For a year and a half I glared at it every morning and regretted not buying a new one when I had many chances to do so. Then it dawned on me. Why not just "fix" it? So, that is exactly what I did.

I always had a thing for anything industrial, and if it fell into the "farmhouse" category as well, I fall head over heels. I created that type of feel to my dinning room so of course my light fixture has to match. Here is what I "fixed"...

Here she is, in all her ugly glory, dust included. I took the glass "shades" off... (ignore the ceiling, my husband began painting with the wrong shade of white *insert laughing emoji here*)

And the fun begins...

I chose a flat black "matte" spray paint to give me that Industrial Farmhouse look...

They still didn't look right to me so I added a brushed nickel ring around the black glass shades that made all the difference. 

I'm switching out these eco-bulbs for Edison bulbs once I find the ones I'm looking for to complete the whole look. I only spent a total of $7 to complete this project and saved hundreds from not buying a brand new industrial/farmhouse light fixture for our dinning room! Definitely worth the wait! Now I can use the money I saved to buy the right shade of white to re-paint the ceiling (haha) and maybe even add some crown molding ;)

Hope this project inspired you to "fix" something you hate and turn it into something you adore in your own home! Happy DIYing on this beautiful Sunday!

Command Center Makeover

Our command center was lacking, a lot of things. Especially organization. Its place is by the backdoor in the kitchen yet spread to the counter across the room by the kitchen sink. Nothing made sense. So, I did something about it thanks to Hobby Lobby and Target:)

I apologize before hand for the low quality pictures. I am still getting the hang of this camera on my new phone, hopefully I'll learn to edit better pictures as this blog grows:)

Before...

No real purpose other than a chore chart and calendar. (The "paperwork" and mail were on the counter in a wood box, no pictures.)

After...

Spider man book bag, on loan courtesy of my two year old decorator, Max:)

White distressed note holder (upper right corner) made from an old wood frame and twine.

Upper left corner, Chalkboard cow "Farm Fresh" sign, Michaels $7.99.

Metal industrial organizer from Hobby Lobby, originally $50.00 on sale for ONLY $20.00!

"Hanging" industrial organization basket on clearance for $7.99!

Chalkboard chore chart and chalkboard inspired calendar, both, $3 at Target Dollar Spot!

Arrow, FREE! Made from cardboard and extra twine from another project! (space filler)

Clock from Target $15.00.

The Next Day... After School, In Use...

Its been almost a week and this command center has certainly come in handy! Especially organizing school papers and mail for my husband! I hope this will inspire you to create your own "command center". It may not be a necessity, but certainly a lifesaver while managing a home and family with four kiddos and a big kid husband! A great way to stay organized, give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by!

Dinning Room Gallery Wall Tour

Last August I decided to give our dinning room a little makeover. I always loved gallery walls that I've been seeing all over Pinterest, Instagram, on many home decor blogs, and even in magazines so I decided to give it a shot. It is a while in the making, and I feel like I constantly am going to be updating these pictures and adding things with four beautiful kiddos that don't stop growing but I am definitely happy with the result. Besides the pictures of my babies, I am especially proud of the wooden "clock" that I made and the giant wall ruler I also DIYed and stained with a one of a kind stain that my husband and I created. The blanket ladder was also a creation but I still want to distress it, so I am not done just yet but here is a few pictures of the progress:) Enjoy!

Sorry about the glare from our chandelier, which is getting a makeover... 

another post for another day:)

The second (higher) arrow is getting a stain treatment to match the color of the wall ruler.

-Most of the frames were collected over the years. 

-The two bigger pictures of my older children were each placed on a simple white canvas that was on sale 4 for $9.99 from Micheal's craft store.

-The Antique white frame was collected during a thrifting/junkin' adventure for $.50 what a steal!

-The barn wood arrow (altered to hang vertical) on the left is from Hobby Lobby along with the pallet deer head on the other end, both were under $20.00!

-The "&" was from Michaels and was only $4 thanks to coupons!

-The working "antique" clock with key hands was from Walmart a few years ago for around $15.00.

-The big ol' wooden "clock" was handmade by me out of a beat up electrical cord spool I rescued from the trash for free:) 

-The lighter wooden arrow was from Michael's for under $10! I just made it vertical and added some twine to the bottom.

-The white "lanterns" were found at The Antique Barn "Old Glory" in south Jersey for $13 ea.

-The tiered beauty full of greenery and some wood pieces is from Target, $19.99.

-The two wooden pieces beside the lanterns are scraps from a farm table my husband built. 

-The wall ruler to the right was a DIY along with the blanket ladder. (DIY posts to come:))

-The white "dipped" basket was from Michael's along with the blue pattern pillows, all for under $20!

If you are interested in a wall "clock", ruler, or blanket ladder 
(and many other handmade decor items & furniture) stay tuned!! 
We are selling them online and at our new Booth this summer!

Thanks for stoping by!

The Last Baby

        I haven't blogged in a while. Life seems to get extremely busy whenever I promise myself to keep up with a blog. I've had many blogs before this over the years that I either forgot about, lost the password, or the passion for. This one seems to be certainly different. Even though my posts are really spaced, I think about writing a new post a few times a week. It just unfortunately never happens. Raising four beautiful babies might have a big part in my lack of writing, but I can't use that as an excuse with so many wonderful mamas' spreading their passions and sharing their lives through the web. Then it dawned on me. I really never know what to write about. Well, tonight it hit me like a ton of bricks.

        As I was sitting on the floor skimming through youtube videos on my Mac of how to DIY my own industrial light fixture for my dinning room, I was getting little kicks from tiny (but not so little anymore) itty bitty baby feet. Junior, our fourth child, was playing and having a ball enjoying his new activity mat as I sat beside him. I can hear him giggle and coo at the little jungle animals hanging about the arches of the brightly colored Little Einstein's mat. He is almost three months old already and I still don't understand how he grew so fast and got so big. He will be the big three March 19th and he is already wearing nine month old sized clothing. When you post something like that on Facebook you'll get a bunch of other moms chime in to tell you how big their new baby is or how big their old baby was. I feel like being a seasoned parent and even a new mom can give you bragging rights as to the development of your child but I will never brag on this subject because it makes me nothing but sad.

        He is growing. He is growing far too quickly and sometimes I even want to cry thinking how just a few weeks ago I carried him safe and sound in the comfort of my womb. He's not only out in the world with a multitude of dangers and illnesses but thats not really what I'm so sad about. He is growing. He is slowly but way too quickly getting older. His infant stages are breezing by and I can't stand it. I might sound emotional but that is only because he is our last. He is our last baby. To say that, is pretty upsetting. There is such a sadness knowing that you will never feel those kicks on the inside anymore. No more flutters. No more bubbles and spins. No more ever so carefully watching every single thing you put into your body because another human being's life depends on it. No more growing something so special only love and God can make. No more wondering what color eyes they will have, who they will look like, what color hair they will have and if it will be fine or wavy. No more babies.

        Now you have children. Your babies will grow and get older, and there is no more turning back the hand of time to have another pregnancy experience. This is it. But.. Now you have children. And they will grow and you get to experience new and exciting, overwhelming, scary, strange, invigorating, and proud moments to share with them. But most of all you get to watch them grow. So, as I look over to the left of me, still kicking and giggling, my last baby is right in front of me. And come to think of it, I am pretty happy about it.

Cherish your babies. They grow.

 Smiles & Dimples