How to Make a Full-Sized Bookshelf Headboard
Bookshelf headboards aren't just for books. That shelf within easy reach of your sleepy body is perfect for your eyeglasses, face cream, laptop, television remote or whatever else you fiddle with just before going to sleep. They're also excellent for your nightstand objects like lamps and alarm clocks. Each shelf in a headboard on a full-size bed will hold almost 4 1/2 linear feet of books and other stuff. Lumber dimensions are adjustable for beds of any size. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2 planks, 1 by 10 60 inches
- 3 planks, 1 by 10 51 inches
- Plank, 1 by 10 by 36 inches
- 2 planks, 1 by 10 by 12 inches
- Lumber sheet, 1/8 by 60 by 53 inches
- Wood glue
- Finishing nails, 1 1/2 inch long
- Hammer or nail gun
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrush
- Stain, varnish or paint
Instructions
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1
Sand all faces of the lumber with coarse-grit paper, then a second time with fine-grit paper.
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2
Apply one coat of stain, paint or varnish to all faces of your lumber, using a paintbrush. Allow to dry for several hours or overnight.
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3
Set one 60-inch plank and one 51-inch plank into a L. The end of the 51-inch plank should abut the face of the 60-inch plank. Glue in place and allow to dry. Once dry, drive three evenly spaced finishing nails through the face of the 60-inch plank and into the middle of the end of the 51-inch plank.
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4
Set the second 60-inch plank against the free end of the 51-inch plank, forming a C. Glue, allow to dry and nail as before.
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5
Set a second 51-inch plank in between the 60-inch planks, parallel to and 25 inches from the first 51-inch plank. Glue, dry and nail as before.
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6
Set the third 51-inch plank in between and parallel to the other planks of the same length. Position this plank so that the edges are 12 inches away from the inside edges of the other planks. Glue, dry and nail in place.
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7
Slide one 12-inch plank in between the top two 51-inch planks, running perpendicular to the planks and positioned 25 inches from the 60-inch planks. This forms support for the board above it. Glue in position and allow to dry. Once dry, drive three finishing nails through the top plank into the middle of the edge of this plank.
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8
Attach the 36-inch plank to the middle of the underside of the lowest 51-inch plank, parallel to the side planks and directly beneath the 12-inch plank you installed earlier. Glue, dry and nail in place.
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9
Slide the final 12-inch plank in between the bottom two 51-inch planks directly between the other two support planks. Glue in position and allow to dry. The pressure from top and bottom will reinforce this plank enough that you won't need to nail it in place.
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10
Set the lumber sheet on the frame, edges flush with the edges of the frame. Glue and allow to dry. Once dry, drive a nail in at each corner. Reinforce with three nails evenly spaced along the top and both sides. You can reinforce with nails along the backs of your interior boards, but this isn't necessary.
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Apply a second coat of paint, stain or varnish. This will finish the paint job while covering the nail holes and any scuffs that occurred during construction.
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Tips & Warnings
The dimensions of the lumber for this project assume the top of your bed is about 3 feet off the ground. If your bed is at a different height, cut the side lumber and center support shorter to accommodate.
