Easy DIY planked wood headboard - no special tools required! Free plans by ANA-WHITE.com
These beautiful photos are from the amazing Cynthia and Nicole. Simplicity and the beauty of soild wood come together in this headboard to transform a room. This project can be completed in just a few hours. Available in all standard bed sizes.
Easy to build, all you need is a saw and nails - you can even use a hammer and nails!
Most builders are spending about $50 making this beauty. Be sure to check out brag posts. Thanks to our site users for sharing their photos.
Free plans follow!
Preparation
2 – 1×2 – 8′ Length
7 – 1×3 – 8′ Length
4 - 1×4 – 10′ Length
1 – 1×4 – 6′ Length
1 – 1×6 – 16′ Length
1 – 2×4 – 8′ or Stud Length
6 - 1×3 @ 55″ (Fronts and backs of Legs)
2 – 1×2 @ 55″ (Inside of Legs)
5 – 1×4 @ 60″ (Panel Pieces)
3 – 1×6 @ 60″ (Panel Pieces)
4 – 1×4 @ 58″ (Panel Trim, Front and Back)
1 – 1×3 @ 64 1/2″ (Top Trim)
1 – 2×4 @ 65 1/2″ (Top of Headboard)
Work on a clean level surface. Use necessary safety precautions. Measure and cut your boards to fit your piece – measurements given are for a perfect build, and you may find your headboard off a tiny bit. So on the trim and top pieces, measure to fit, using the given cut list as a approximate measurement. Use glue and check for square after each step.
Instructions
Step 1
Legs. Begin building the legs by fastening the 1×2 middle piece to the 1×3 front leg piece, as shown above. To hide your nail holes, fasten for the 1×2 board into the back side of the 1×3 board. Keep outside edges flush.
Step 2
Panel Pieces. Starting on the top, fasten the panel pieces as shown above. The red pieces are 1×4 boards, the blue are 1×6 boards. Use 1 1/4″ nails and glue. Check for square. Hide your nail holes as you did in step 1.
Step 3
Back of Legs. Use 2″ nails and glue to fasten the back of the legs in place. Fasten to the panel pieces and the middle leg piece. Keep outside edges flush.
Step 4
Trim Pieces. Start by fastening the front trim pieces by using 1 1/4″ nails and nailing through the back into the back edge of the front trim. This will hide your nail holes. Then fasten the back trim in place using 2″ nails and glue.
Step 5
Step 6
Top Trim. As shown above, measure and cut your top trim piece. The distance will be the overall width of the headboard at this step. Keeping the top trim flush with the outer leg and the front of the headboard, use 2″ nails and glue to fasten in place.
Step 7
Top of Headboard. Cut the top of the headboard piece 1″ longer than the trim piece from step 6. Mark 1/2″ in from all sides. Center on top of the headboard and fasten in place with glue and 2″ nails.
Step 8
Finishing. Fill any visible nail holes with wood filler and sand and finish as desired. A bed frame can be attached by drilling holes in the fronts of the legs, and using bolts and nuts inserted in the slots open in the insides of the legs.
Comments
Brandon (not verified)
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 08:50
I think I might have some
I think I might have some ideas on how to achieve that finish. Distressing the wood is great, and glaze is a MUST but you might want to look into a product called texture putty. It's a lacquer based product that you can apply any number of ways, but you can get that 150 year old weathered look in about 25 minutes. Just apply it over your stained wood, and manipulate it how you need before it dries. Then apply glaze and a clear coat for the sheen you want, and viola! You have a finished piece just like what they have here.
Garden Grove W… (not verified)
Thu, 07/19/2012 - 09:18
Reply to comment | Ana White
Love the blog. I've bookmarked your website in my bookmarks to read tomorrow.
nicolae
Fri, 01/04/2013 - 13:49
It seems that it is easy to
It seems that it is easy to do it. Maybe I will try to make it after we will finish painting the walls. Right now my wife is searching for the ideal paint color.
Kaely (not verified)
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 08:59
Oh, I think this maybe my
Oh, I think this maybe my first project. I need to practice with our nail gun (my husband says it jams up with shorter nails, so I'm gonna test it out). We are in desperate need of a headboard.
Could you post a cut list to make this as a King? :)
Melissa (not verified)
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 09:02
Wow this is a great project!
Wow this is a great project! I just found your site a few days ago, and you are amazing! I have been wanting a headboard for my bed for a while, and this is perfect. Any chance you will be posting plans for a king-size bed?
Anonymous (not verified)
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 09:40
I would also love plans for a
I would also love plans for a king.
sjvirchow
Fri, 05/09/2014 - 08:02
King Plans
Did you ever get plans for this headboard in a king size? I would like to build this but haven't heard back. Thanks so much!
In reply to King Plans by sjvirchow
emilytaylor225
Fri, 03/20/2015 - 04:35
Really you just need to find
Really you just need to find another king bed plan on here and see the inside width. Adjust the plan here to accommodate the king. I am an amature but I have already built a Queen headboard from the farmhouse bed plan on this site. It turned out beautifully and it was easy enough. With a straight forward plan like this I can only imagine stretching it to fit a king bed should be easy. Good luck!!!
Gen (not verified)
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 10:49
King Me Please!
King Me Please!
Gen (not verified)
Sat, 03/06/2010 - 10:52
anyone else eyeing the
anyone else eyeing the nightstand???