Upcycling for Good

Make a space themed headboard

Make a boring old headboard an exciting glow in the dark feature for a space themed kid’s room!

Resene upcycling for good with Sarah Herring - Project 57

Childrens space themed headboard
Finished project

You will need: Sandpaper and/or electric sander, testpot brushes, small artist’s detail brushes, painter’s masking tape and scissors, Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat, Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Interior paint in your choice of colour; Sarah used Resene Indian Ink, Resene FX Nightlight glow in the dark paint, Resene testpots in your choice of colours, Sarah used Resene Rice Cake, Resene Onahau and Resene Yes Please.

Tips and tricks: Sarah had fun with freehand shapes and placements, but you might prefer to map out a pattern or create your own design. Try adding planets, rockets finished in Resene FX Metallic or other space shapes!

Headboard before
Before / what you need
Finished space themed headboard
Finished project
 
Step 1 Step one
The first step with upcycling second hand items is to always clean and check for any damage or parts that need repairs. Sand thoroughly to prepare it for painting and wipe clean.
Step 2 Step two
Prime using one coat of Resene Quick Dry primer undercoat using a testpot brush and allow to dry. You could use a paint roller if you prefer.
Step 3 Step three
Mask out full and crescent moon shapes. Sarah used a paint tin as the stencil and masked them off carefully with masking tape.
Step 4 Step four
Paint the moon shapes with two coats of your chosen Resene white. For the maximum glow effect Resene White is recommended. Sarah used a slightly warmer white – Resene Rice Cake.
Step 4 Step four contd
Once the white paint is dry, apply three coats of Resene FX Nightlight paint over the top, so the moons will glow in the dark, allowing time for each coat to dry before applying the next. Such a cool paint effect!
Step 5 Step five
Paint freehand stars and constellations in the remaining space using small detail brushes and paint in your choice of colours. Sarah used Resene Onahau and Resene Yes Please.
Step 5 Step five contd
Sarah also added some small stars using more of the Resene Rice Cake and Resene FX Nightlight paints.
Finished headboard and colour palette Finished project
The final effect is a fun galaxy headboard that looks great day or night, and space-mad kids will love being able to sleep amongst the stars in their own bedroom.
Glow in the dark at night Glow in the dark effect