Old bed frame

Question

I have an old bed frame that's made of metal..rounded curves, dark brown color. It is fairly old as my Mom had it in her house and I know it was there for at least 50 years. I saved it after she passed away but can't use it as a bed frame so it is sitting in my garage. Hubby wants to discard it but I'd like to re-purpose it as something useful. I need suggestions???

Mary Insana · Answer

Put a picture on here for us to look at and I bet you'll have so many suggestions your head will spin :)

Glenna Kennedy · Answer

Thanks Mary I should have done that in the first place!

Mary Insana · Answer

My first though is to take the headboard end (taller one)and put it in a garden. You can dig 2 holes to put the 'legs' in. Have it against a low wall and plant colorful flowers in front of it or plant a climbing vine like Morning Glories.

If you know someone that can weld, Have them cut the footboard in half eliminating the middle pole. Then have them weld each side to the headboard. Cut a piece of wood to fit side to side, cover with foam and fabric to make a cute bench. Or you can just paint the wood and use the bench to hold houseplants.

You could also use a hacksaw and cut the legs off. Hang on big wall as an abstract wall hanging. You can put battery operated pillar candles where you cut the legs off. Also paint it in a color complimentary to where it will be hanging.

Another idea. Again, cut the legs off and hang on a wall. You can then hang pictures in between the bars. Paint the frame and then use a contrasting color picture frame. Or paint it black and use black picture frames.

That's some of the things I'm seeing but I bet you get better ideas :)

Jessica C · Answer

I have seen these beds made into garden gates and they look great!

Jeanette S · Answer

Whatever you do, do not discard or ruin the rails. The rails are usually missing from these old beds and they are a FANTASTIC find for people who have old bed frames they want to restore and use. Contact an antique store or a restorer and offer them for sell or free. I know a lot of people are not into antique stuff, but were I you, I would sell it or give it to someone who wants an old bed. They are stunning painted white. Wish I was near you so I could talk you into selling it to me.

Linda W · Answer

We have a full size white metal bed that my husband slept in when he was a boy,I'm planning to have it turned into a bench,have to find a welder to do the work for me.I also liked Mary's ideal of hanging on the wall and putting pictures between the bars,something I never would have thought of doing .

Lori J · Answer

They do make lovely garden benches. I have a fairly ornate old iron bed in my cellar. It has special meaning to us as my now deceased father-in-law was born in that bed, along with his brothers and sisters. It closely resembles one I let go of--and my oldest was born in that bed. I am waiting for my youngest to find his way out of the house and then it is coming up form the cellar. Best advice should you keep it is to have it painted at an auto body shop.

Patti Nicholas · Answer

I love old beds as garden benches or porch swings and it's not nearly as difficult as it sometimes seems. But if you have the complete bed, I would treat the whole thing to protect from the elements and put it in the garden, then build a raised bed within the bedframe and plant it to look like a 'bed'. with a flower 'bedspread' and different flower pillows. If gardening isn't your thing, try hanging the headboard (or footboard depending on space) on the wall and use it to hang other pictures, and items off of it. or in the bedroom for jewelry, scarfs and hats on 'S' hooks. or the kitchen as a pot rack, ohhhh I just can't stop. hang from the ceiling on a porch and use to hang gauzy fabric and baskets and dry flowers and herbs, oh the possabilities....

KathrynElizabeth Etier · Answer

Don't throw it out. I have a small collection of metal frames disassembled and leaning against two barns. In the summer, morning glories twine through them and are lovely. A chipoy white one serves

KathrynElizabeth Etier · Answer

Having technical problems! A chippy white one serves as a bench and garners tons of compliments.

Betsy Bodrero · Answer

I'd use it as a trellis

Mary Insana · Answer

Love Morning Glories climbing a fence.

Sara · Answer

I have a white one that use to be my husband's childhood bed. We are using the large headboard as a divider in the garden to semi hide the less than pretty sites in the garden, i.e. under the steps leading up the deck. We are using the footboard as a trellis for a clematis. It has large purple flowers when it blooms and looks great against the white.

Glenna Kennedy · Answer

Thanks everyone, some fantastic ideas...I'm loving the bench one, just have to find someone who welds.I do have the side rails as well. There was also an extremely heavy spring that went with it but it was just too heavy to keep so unfortunately it went to the dump where I'm sure someone grabbed it.

Angie Dominquez · Answer

I also have this old bed frame that belonged to my father. I will not discard it. When I moved into my new home, someone tossed the bed spring which I have been unable to replace. This brings back so many memories :-(

Barb Rosen · Answer

Glenna ~ How about a flower bed like this one from Pinterest?

Glenna Kennedy · Answer

Oh Barb I love it, wish I had enough property on my small town lot to do just that but it is too big :( it is beautiful though

Pajunka · Answer

How about a bed of roses? (Has someone said that yet?)

LeAnn Shultz · Answer

They would make great quilt stands. You could paint them black and hang them from the kitchen ceiling...if ceilings are high enough...add some hooks and hang pots and pans from them. Just some ideas that popped into my mind when I saw the picture. I love the old iron beds.

Kay Love-Wood · Answer

Use in the garden. A bed of Roses, something for a vine to grown on, or as a gate, or as a back ground element painted to draw someone eyes to it. Inside place on wall and use it to display pics on clips between rails. Lots and Lots of ideas come to mine ;-) Also love LeAnn's idea about quilt stand.

Linda B · Answer

This is the first time I have seen a bed that looks anything close to the bed I slept in in my pre-teen and teen years. I do not know what happened to mine. I like the ideas about pot racks and quilt/blanket racks.

Katrina Clevenger · Answer

Garden gates.

Frankie Laney · Answer

If you have a flower bed or some garden area you could paint it your favorite bright color and just plant it the garden. Referring to the headboard piece.

Charlene Kimbrell · Answer

It is a lovely antique. Put in a safe storage place and save it for a future generation who will restore it and love it. I am looking for one now and because of people destroying them by placing them outside to rust away they are so expensive I can't manage it on my budget. Your attic or garage attic should work nicely. If you do repurpose it please keep it indoors so someone could restore it later down the road.

Nellie diaz · Answer

if you use it for out doors be sure to treat it for outside wether but it will get damage ,i would look into having it maded as a bench, or as a quilt stand where you can pass it on to family for furture keeping

TJ · Answer

I like the bed of roses idea - my husband grows roses.

Liz · Answer

hanging bed, gate, bench, wall art...

Lori J · Answer

I have actually seen the foot board incorporated. We have a local shop that sells them.

Patty Davidson · Answer

I agree with Ms Krimbell, it is a antique and should be cherished for many reasons, the first being it came from you mother. Find a place to store it and save it for future generations.

Kris Lee · Answer

I say make a bench, or put it in the garden as others have said. If you don't have space for it now, why would you want to keep it for future generations? that is the question isn't it? Paint it a great color. You should be able to find some great ideas on Pinterest or just google repurposing metal bed and see what happens. Post pix when you get it all done, either way great piece.

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