DIY: Jenny Lind Bed to a Bench
There’s something so lovely about old Jenny Lind beds, don’t you think?
I just love them! The only problem is the mattress size – a modern day full is different from the antique beds which can be difficult to find and costly to have custom ordered. So we decided to turn this Jenny Lind bed to a bench.
Read on for the full details on how to do it yourself.
1. Cut the foot end in half.
2. Shorten the two halves to the required depth.
3. drill pocket holes on the inside of the sides, in the boards.
4. attach the sides, using kreg screws, to the back
5. Pre drill/counter sink, holes in the back at the top, where the top of the sides hit the back.
6. Use a kreg screw from the back, to screw into the top of the sides.
(5 and 6 are for the dowel part at the top)
7. Cut the slats to width and length.
8. Position the slats onto the bench, then drill pocket holes on the sides, where the slats are going.
9. Attach the slats with the Kreg screws
10. The cut sides will have bare wood, I used Java Gel Stain by General Finishes on these areas and I used General Finishes’ Lamp Black Milk Paint on the end of one of the boards so it looked like this was always a bench.
Here’s how it looks finished:
The wood is so lovely on this piece, I couldn’t bare to paint it. I also wanted to use all the bits of the beds so we used the sides of the bed to create the seat. One of the boards had been painted black and had some chippy green paint on it. I love this about it.
I also really love the rusty bolts.
I brought it upstairs and put some striped pillows on top for cushions:
Under the bench is an old drawer turned tray. I found the drawer at Todd Farm and I’ll have a few of them at the Vintage Bazaar (each one is slightly different). I think they are so lovely and I, of course, love the antique brass pulls.
I’m so in love with all the lovely spindles on this bench.
Even without the cushions it is so pretty:
What do you think of our Jenny Lind Bench? It is perfect for a small entry to pull on your boots or in a little nook to rest for a bit.
I think I’m going to have a hard time parting with it at The Vintage Bazaar.
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this is my favorite style to create a bed bench with- gorgeous!
Well I love Jenny Lind beds and I LOVE this idea of turning one into a bench! What a great idea. I just passed one by on the side of the road recently and am bummed I did now!
I LOVE this. I’m so glad you chose not to paint it – the wood is perfect for this little bench. Next time I see one of these beds I might have to bring it home and give this a try. 🙂
you guys did an amazing job! The wood and all the little details are beautiful.
gorgeous! I’d have a hard time parting with it too!
This is the coolest thing ever, Danielle! Its so pretty! I have been really into spindle beds too lately…went and picked up a twin headboard and foot board that I found on CL recently for when Ian moves into a big boy bed. Its not a Jenny Lind, its much more masculine with thicker spindles, but I’m excited to paint it:) I’m bummed that I’m not going to be able to make it to the Vintage Bazaar, just have too much going on with Fathers’ Day, etc. But I wish you the best of luck! I hope it turns out… Read more »
over 30 years ago I pulled one of those out of my neighbors trash in my old grow up hood. My mom was so embarrassed. It is in my shed in the rafters. I wished my husband was talented like that.
I just acquired the exact set ….i’m also doing a bench…thrilled to find this tutorial…wondering how much it sold for!?
Hi constance, how fun! I hope the tutorial helps! I honestly can’t remember how much it sold for. Maybe $200? Not sure.
I have same bed, it was my 39 year old son’s. It has come full circle, used by many cousins for their babies, and of course for my son’s 2 babies. My son passed away from Cancer, May 2023. The bed was returned to me, I have no use for a baby bed but I can’t get rid of something that was for my son. I am both excited and sad at the same time to turn his bed into a bench and keepsake that can be hand downed to his children when the time come.
Hi Billie Jo, I’m so very sorry to hear about your son’s passing. Sending you loads of love. I think turning the bed into a bench would be a lovely keepsake for his children. Danielle xx