How to Make Your Own Headboard Idea

You can make a storage headboard to hold books and curios. Installing a series of cubes, or boxes, over the head of your bed makes a practical, visually interesting and space-saving headboard. The size of your bed and the space to be covered determines how many boxes you'll need to build. Sketch your plan for the headboard design before you begin. The finished product will be heavy, so limit the box pattern to two rows at the most.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 3/4-inch plywood
• Paint or stain
• Paintbrushes
• 1-by-10-inch lumber
• Saw
• Wood glue
• Screws
• Screwdriver
• 2-by-4-inch lumber
• Stud finder

Instructions

1. Measure the width of your bed. Cut a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood to that measurement, plus the desired height of the top of your tallest box.

2. Paint or stain the plywood to match your bedroom decor. Make sure the paint or stain is completely dry before you attach the boxes.

3. Make your boxes. Determine how much 1-by-10-inch lumber you'll need by adding together the lengths of each side of each box. Don't measure for a back for the box. Mark the lumber where you need to make cuts.

4. Cut the lumber to appropriate lengths. Set two pieces of cut lumber together, forming a corner, where they'll be attached to become part of a box. Spread wood glue along each side where they'll join, and then drive three 1 1/2-inch screws into the wood. Repeat with the other side of the box. Continue until all of your boxes are complete.

5. Stain or paint the boxes to match the plywood. Use vivid colors or paint them all the same color for a more subdued look.

6. Lay the boxes out on the floor or a large, flat surface in the pattern you designed. Set the plywood on top of them with the finished side facing the boxes. Use 1 1/2-inch wood screws to attach the plywood to the boxes. Use at least 8 screws in each box. Put two extra screws in the boxes on the bottom, if your design includes multiple rows.

7. Attach two 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber to the wall where the headboard will be attached. Do this by finding the studs in the wall and using 3-inch screws to attach the lumber to the wall vertically at the stud. The spacing depends on the size of your project. Make sure the studs won't be visible once the plywood is hung.

8. Prop the plywood with the boxes against the 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber, or have someone hold it up while you attach the plywood to the 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber with 2 1/2-inch screws. Finish the sides by screwing plywood strips onto the 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to build your own boxes, use premade storage cubes.

• Use a level to make sure the 2-by-4-inch pieces of lumber are straight.

• Starting the headboard 3 feet above the mattress allows for sitting up in bed. Adjust the height as it suits you.

• Miter the corners of the boxes for a more elegant look.

• Roll a stud finder over the wall until it beeps, indicating the location of a stud.

Resources

• WoodBin: Wood Screws