Turning a Queen Headboard Into a King

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Convert a queen headboard to a king with wood side additions.
Image Credit: Lilas Gh/iStock/GettyImages

If you have a queen-sized headboard and a king-sized bed you have a bit of a problem on your hands. A king size bed frame is about 16 inches wider than your headboard, leaving major hang-over; but, there's no need to panic and run to the furniture store — work with what you have. You obviously can't cut the bed down to a smaller size so you have to work with the headboard. Fix this problem by adding something extra to each side of the headboard.

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Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape

  • Two boards or posts

  • Jigsaw (optional)

  • Sanding machine or hand sander

  • Miter saw (optional)

  • Foam or cotton insulation

  • Staple gun

  • Fabric material (your choice)

  • 6 small 1/2 inch thick 12 inch wide plywood pieces

  • Screwdriver

  • 12 1/2 inch screws

  • Metal brackets (optional)

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Step 1: Measure the King Size Bed Frame

Place the headboard behind the bed and get an exact measurement of the amount of hang-over you have between the two. For example, you may find a difference of 16 inches when planning to convert a queen headboard to a king size bed frame. Measure the depth (distance from the wall to the bed) and height of the headboard as well.

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Step 2: Locate Building Materials

Visit your local hardware or craft store to find two boards of wood for either side of the headboard. So if the overhang is 16 inches, you need two eight-inch wide boards or posts, depending on the headboard style and size. Have the boards cut to size, as tall and deep as the headboard, or do it yourself with a jigsaw.

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Step 3: Sand the Rough Edges

Sand with a sanding machine or hand sander to smooth down the rough edges of each plank. If desired, use a miter saw to cut a shape in the top of each plank, such as a round curve, according to your preferences.

Step 4: Wrap the Wood

Wrap each wood plank with foam insulation or cotton sheaths and secure it in place with a staple gun.

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Step 5: Cut a Fabric Covering

Cut fabric material of your choice, such as leather or a patterned cotton fabric, to cover the boards. Cut the material so that it is the width of the plank times two plus about six more inches. The height is the height of the plank plus about six more inches; in this case it is 22 inches wide (eight times two plus six) and assuming your finished plank is 48 inches tall, the length of the fabric is 54 inches. This allows for plenty of room to wrap it around the plank properly.

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Step 6: Cover With the Fabric

Cover the plank with your fabric material and secure it in back with your staple gun. Position your headboard face down on the floor with the two boards on either side.

Step 7: Attach to the Queen Headboard

Cut three small boards, scrap plywood, or add metal brackets on the back of the headboard, so that they attach the wooden boards to the main headboard. Screw the backing materials in place to hold the new, widening pieces to the existing queen-size headboard.

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Step 8: Connect the Headboard

Lift the newly modified headboard and slide it behind the bed; attach to the wall with brackets, attach to the queen bed rails for the headboard and footboard or use a bed frame adaptor to attach to the king size bed frame .

Tip

If your headboard is made of steel or iron skip the last step. Simply position the headboard at the middle and slide the two side boards in on either side. Push the bed and mattress back to hold them all in place or attach securely to the wall with screws or brackets.

Some headboards float, meaning that they don't affix to the bed frame. But if the headboard attaches to the bed, insert your king-sized frame screws to the outer wooden boards on either side instead of the headboard.

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