How to Make a Cottage Style Headboard

Create an easy and affordable cottage style headboard from shutters---new or vintage---or louvered bifold doors. The headboard can work well in a primitive room, a country style room, a classic cottage or a shabby chic space, depending upon the details, paint and styling. This do-it-yourself project can be completed in a day and can make a big impact in your bedroom with only a small investment.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shutters or bifold doors
• Crown or trim molding
• Circular saw
• Miter box
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Paint or stain
• Foam brushes
• Stud finder
• Screws
• Drill and bits

1. Figure out how large your cottage style headboard should be. Choose the height based on the proportion you prefer; however, the width should be approximately 2 to 4 inches wider than your bed. Determine which shutters or doors and crown molding best fit your bed.

2. Have plywood cut to make a sturdy backing for your cottage headboard. Cut your shutters or bifold doors to the height required with a circular saw, or use them at their full height.

3. Stain or paint the plywood backing.

4. Use a miter box to cut the molding. The molding will frame the shutters or doors.

5. Vertically line up the shutters or doors and glue them to the plywood backing. Glue the molding around the shutters or doors. Clamp everything together.

6. Allow the glue to set completely. Stain or paint the front of the cottage headboard, including the molding and shutters.

7. Mark the positions of the wall studs. Drill through the headboard and secure it directly to the wall studs with long screws, or install D-rings and hang the shutter headboard on the wall behind the bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid staining or finishing vintage shutters for your headboard to preserve their original finish.

References

• Headboard
• Headboard from Shutters
• Vintage Shutter Headboard