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How to Paint a Brass Headboard

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Do you long for a new headboard but don’t want to spend a lot of money? Well you are in luck, transforming a brass headboard is really easy, doesn’t cost a lot and the results are unbelievable! It took some trial and error, but we figured out how to paint a brass headboard.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

When we began putting together ideas for the new Farmhouse Bedroom, I had a vision in my head of how I wanted it to look. I had daydreamed of this bedroom for months, while binge watching Fixer Upper.

The trouble was though, we didn’t have a lot of money to put toward the room. A Shiplap Wall was a must, but it needed to be done on a budget. So we figured out how to create one for less than $40.

We also needed a new headboard and bed. I started looking at a few stores and online, and the headboards were all around $200, which was out of our range. So, since I love to think outside the box when it comes to decorating our home, I headed to our local antique store to see if, by chance, they had a piece of metal or something I could turn into a headboard.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

Clear in the back room where they hold the scratch and dent pieces, I found this brass headboard. At first, I just wasn’t sure about it, but it was only $10. I thanked the owner and went about my day, shopping for a new metal headboard, quickly to discover that they were all too expensive right now.

When I returned home and we went over all the options, the $10 brass headboard at the antique store was the best option. We knew we could paint it, but the big round toppers might be too much. At least in my mind, I just wasn’t sure. But hey – for $10, I was willing to give it a try.

So Doug and I headed down to the antique store the next day to grab the headboard. While we were waiting, we spotted a sign for mattresses, and decided to take a look.

This bedroom ,and especially the bed, was not one that would be slept in every night. I really just wanted a space for our son that is away at college to have a bed of his own when he comes home a couple times per month. There were mattresses and box springs on sale for $100 – bingo! We did it again! I was super excited to find such great deals.

So anyway, long story here, but let me show you how easy it was to transform the brass headboard into the perfect piece in our Farmhouse Bedroom.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

The first step was to remove the finial from the headboard. This was actually the part that I thought would be hard, but it simply just unscrewed.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

Then metal rod holding all the pieces on top was easy to unscrew as well.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

After removing the metal rod and finial, the trick was to find something to add over top that would cover the ends of the uprights and still look really good. Doug found plastic pipe caps at the hardware store.

They had lettering that was embossed on the top, so he used a small chisel to scrap off the words.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

Then sanded the rest off with 120 grit sand paper.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

Next it was time to prepare the brass for the paint. Doug used steel wool to “rough” up the surface.

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

Then the plastic cap was attached to the headboard with a hot glue gun. Easy enough!

HOW TO PAINT A BRASS HEADBOARD -- Learn how we transformed a $10 brass headboard to work PERFECTLY in our Farmhouse Bedroom!

Now it was time to paint the headboard using Rust-oleum Universal Forged Hammered Spray Paint, letting it dry in between coats. Flipped it over and finished the painting.

DIY Shiplap Wall

I couldn’t be more thrilled with how the headboard turned out.

You can find the whole bedroom makeover —

Farmhouse Decor: Bedroom 

DIY Shiplap Wall for under $40

18 Comments

  1. Jim O'Sullivan says:

    How many cans of spray paint did it take for the headboard?

    1. Hi Jim, the headboard took 2 cans of paint.
      -Liz

      1. Was that paint you used the hammered black?

  2. Betty Whatley says:

    I loved what you did with the bed. It looks absolutely wonderful. I love it when people make things that do not cost a pretty penny. I don’t think you could have bought a bed that looks that good. As a matter of fact the whole room looks great. Wonderful job. Thanks for sharing it with everybody. Please add me to your email list to receive more of your blogs.
    Betty Whatley

  3. This is beautiful! I love how you changed the caps out. So much nicer.

  4. Pingback: DIY Vintage Furniture Transformations - Project Inspire{d} Features - The Silly Pearl
  5. I love this! I’ve been thinking of doing a rustic pallet headboard but I’ve been wondering about layering it in with a headboard like yours for a layered look…your post has inspired me to try it out! Thank you! Glad I found you through the Friday Feathered Nest party!

  6. What a great transformation. I never would have guessed it was once brass. We have a similar “headboardless” guest bed. I’ll be looking out for something to paint now.

  7. Great job, I enjoyed your post. I’ve been painting a fireplace so was anxious to see your post on painting the bed. Glad you used a updated topper in place of the brass ball. Nice job.

  8. The bed really looks beautiful. We had a four poster, double bed that we used for almost 43 years. When it was finally time to buy a new bed (we needed a Queen size because of the dogs) I had my husband save the other bed. When we were making a guest bedroom on our second floor, we couldn’t use the four poster because we have a Cape and the ceilings are slanted. I asked my husband to cut the posts and I purchased ball finials and attached them to the posts. I then painted the bed black. I cannot tell you how good the bed looks. Even my husband was impressed and everyone that has used this room has complimented me on the bed. Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention and it is good to be thrifty.

    1. That’s such a great idea! Thanks for sharing Patty!
      ~Liz

      1. Hi Liz, was the color Burnished Amber or is it black? Thanks in advance!

        1. Hi Joe, the paint for the headboard is Universal Metallic Spray Paint – Oil Rubbed Bronze

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