Beyond Genius Ways To Repurpose An Old Bed Frame

On average, humans spend over 12,000 hours of our lives in bed, either sleeping or trying to fall sleep. This amazing number amounts to about 33 years total — roughly ⅓ of our lives. With all of that tossing and turning and wear and tear on the bed, it's only a matter of time until the frame starts to weaken, wiggle, or break altogether. Whether your old bed frame is broken, your child has outgrown their bed, or you simply couldn't resist replacing your old frame with the best-selling bed at IKEA, investing in a new bed frame can be an exciting time in your home. But when it finally arrives, you may feel a little sad looking at your old bed frame. Surely it can still serve some other purpose around the house, right? 

Just because you've brought in a shiny new bed frame doesn't mean you have to throw away or donate your old one. Waste not, want not! There are plenty of creative and functional ways to repurpose your old bed frame into something new in your home. Here are some awesome ideas to inspire a DIY and give your old bed frame a new life. 

The words "garden bed" take on a whole new meaning with this DIY upcycled bed frame idea. Luckily, this project requires very little work. Simply remove the slats from the center of the bed frame, set the bed up in the yard, then add word boards — or repurpose the slats — to create a raised garden bed. The best part is that the headboard and footboard double as trellis' for vining plants. 

One of the best ways to repurpose your old bed frame is to turn it into a functional bench. Remove the headboard and footboard from the frame, then use boards or repurposed bed frame slats to connect them and turn them into a bench. Give the bench a fresh coat of exterior paint and some cute outdoor throw pillows, and you're ready to soak up the sunshine in style. 

Need more storage space in your garage, closet, pantry, or garden shed? A great idea for basic metal bed frames is to turn them into storage shelves. First, disassemble the metal frame, then cut the pieces to the size you need for your shelves. Reconnect the pieces with bolts, aligning the corners so any rough edges are hidden. Finally, add wooden boards, reuse the bed frame slats, or repurpose pieces of an old wood headboard to make shelves. 

For anyone raising goats, cows, horses, or other animals, you know how pricey it can be to purchase a hay feeder. For this simple hack, attach the metal slatted headboard and footboard to the wood frame at an angle, then drill a sheet metal or polycarbonate panel roof over the top. You can also repurpose the center of the bed frame to store hay bales up off of the ground. 

This breakfast nook idea gives the frame new life in your kitchen or dining room. To make the breakfast nook, remove the wood slats from your bed frame, add two wide boards to create seats on either end, and cover the boards with blankets or seat cushions. Plop a table in the middle, and you're done. If you ever need to use the bed frame again, you can simply remove it from the dining area. 

Keep your peonies separate from your petunias or break up large areas of your garden with a simple garden fence made from your old metal headboard. To create a basic garden fence, detach the headboard or footboard from your old bed frame, then bury the legs in the ground. The center piece of the frame can also be turned on its side and used like a fence. You can provide extra stability by adding bricks or heavy pots around the gate. 

This is a great idea for retired kids beds, which make the perfect size cart for hauling bags of mulch, freshly picked veggies, spare pots, and more. Take the old bed frame set it on two bike wheels, using the legs of the bed to keep the cart level when not in use. If you'd rather, you can even turn the cart into a bike trailer by removing all the bed legs and adding a bar to hitch it to the bike. 

This super practical solution can help you save space in your home and repurpose an old metal bed frame. Detach the footboard and headboard from the center piece of the bed frame, then turn them sideways and secure them to the wall or attach them to the ceiling above your head with bolts or pipe hanger straps. Now you have a perfect rack for hanging items in your garage, mudroom, laundry room, or closet!  

Don't throw out your unique antique headboard or mattress frame. Instead, secure one side of the metal headboard or bed frame to a post with hinges, then tie the other side with rope or chain or add a latch to make a whimsical upcycled gate. To give the gate some extra flair and protect it from rust, paint it in a welcoming color before attaching it to the fence line. 

Have a charming antique bed frame that you'd rather not leave out in the rain? Remove the headboard or footboard, flip it upside down, and attach it to the wall. To create a shelf, add a board across the upper part of the headboard, then add pegs or hooks to hang dish towels, aprons, coats, hats, or umbrellas below.  For a supersized hanging rack, hang the whole center bed frame on the wall, a great idea for garage storage. 

To turn your bed frame into a trellis, disassemble an old metal bed frame and lean it against a wall or fence line. The frame may function well as a trellis as is, but to give your vines a little extra grip, weave rope, cord, or wire in between the slats of the bed frame to create a grid-like pattern. 

Made from a headboard or footboard and wood planks, this garden bed design isn't just super cute; it's also quite practical. When faced east, a headboard is a smart way to provide some shade from the hot afternoon sun. The tall back also makes it easy to drape netting or blankets to protect your plants from frost, pests, and birds. You can also turn the center piece of a bed frame on its side to make a longer, larger version of this shaded garden bed.

Now that you're not using the bed frame anymore, why not pass it down to Fido? Cut the legs from the foot or headboard so it rests on the floor at the perfect pet-height, then build a box frame large enough to surround your pet's favorite bed — if your frame has wooden support slats, repurpose these for the box! For an extra adorable touch, add some pillows, a nightlight, or a mini nightstand nearby. 

Have an awkward corner in your home that could use a little pizzazz? This old bed frame idea takes the headboard, footboard, and wood support slats and turns them into a small corner bench. Because it tucks neatly out of the way, this bench is perfect for showcasing seasonal décor or sitting down in the front entryway to slip off your shoes. 

If you or a loved one are tying the knot soon, consider turning that old bed frame into a welcome sign for the wedding. A little chalkboard paint and some friendly writing across the headboard or footboard will ensure that guests feel right at home. You can also turn the center bed frame piece into a creative seating chart sign. Plus, the newlyweds can keep this charming keepsake in their home to remind them of their special day. 

There's nothing better than lounging in the sun with a good book — except maybe curling up in a warm bed with a good book. Luckily, with this old bed frame hack, you won't have to choose. All you need is a thick rope and some sturdy ceiling joists to create a repurposed porch swing bed, one of the best cheap and clever ways to perk up your patio.