Head of the Board! Headboard Tutorial
I have been living without a headboard for the last 4 years. Well, technically I have never had a “real” headboard, but I have been wanting one. In college, I made one out of an old door that we had sitting around, (in this post you can see it) it was a great headboard, but I wanted a “real” one so I left it when we moved, and I haven’t had one since! Such is life.
Well, the thought of having a “real” headboard has been on my mind for a while now. If you have read this blog, or searched the archives, you probably know I am not going to go out a buy one. . I just can’t swallow the price tag of the cardboard furniture that they make nowadays. That and I definitely cannot afford the “real deal”.
So, I’ve let the desire ruminate for a while.
And a golden idea struck me… Kitchen cabinet doors! Yea!..uh…What?
That is right kitchen cabinet doors. They are pre-made raised panels, which removes the need for expensive router bits and table saws.
So, now I am going to share the plans with you, because what are blog buddies for, right? Wanna sneak peek at the finished product first? I feel like a genie in a bottle granting your wish, and now I have that Christina Aguilera song in my head… not what I meant at all!
As we made this, we learned some things and figured out how we should have made it (to simplify it). So, we have a TON of pictures that are not exactly right. So, we built a model, and made an instruction sheet so when building this follow the steps on the instruction sheet and not the order in the images. And as always if you have any questions, please just leave me a comment, I will clarify when necessary through the comment section below.
We have worked very hard on this project, and have spent a lot of time creating this tutorial, so I have a request, please! This project may not be reproduced on any blog without receiving written permission before posting. If you receive permission, you may use the finished headboard image only, and link back to Remodelaholic for the tutorial. No part of the tutorial may be copied except for personal incidental noncommercial home use. If you build the project, and post about it, please link back to the instructions on Remodelaholic. Thank you.
Now that the tough stuff is out of the way, I want to clarify one more thing, this project is meant for those of you without a lot of tools, and just a basic understanding of building, so BE careful! On that note, IF I were going to spend real money on the wood (and buy walnut or poplar or some other nice hardwood) I would have built this very differently!
Headboard Tutorial instructions:
Supplies needed:
2 – 4 old kitchen cabinet doors
Various 1 x __ Mdf boards (size depends on cabinet doors!!)
(we used: 1 x 3’s approx 16 linear feet, for the bottom rail and all vertical stiles
1 x 6 approx 12 linear feet, for the top rail and top shelf)
9 linear feet of small base board molding
1 -8 foot 4 x 4 cut in half ( I had Home Depot do this)
3 – 8′ long 2 x 2’s
(optional: to hang on wall an 6′ long 2 x 4
cut in half on a 45 degree angle on a table saw)
Tools:
Miter box and saw
Screw driver, drill bits and screws
Hammer and finish nails
Nail set
Sanding block (or sanding paper wrapped around a piece of wood)
**Measurements are all relative for this project.
They depend on a number of things, like the size of bed you have,
the size of doors you find, how many doors you use etc.
So, I have attached an image with a few of our our measurements called out
so you can get a better understanding of scale, just keep in mind you will have to make it
according to your supplies.
*TIP*
When you buy MDF boards the length wise front edges are chamfered (or rounded off on corners) So, in order for butted edges to look clean, and well planned, after cutting all the vertical stiles to length, sand the top flat edge to match the horizontal edges. That way a straight angular end won’t butt up to a curved edge, instead both will be rounded off and look even, and well planned!
If you want to make a matching foot board,
instead of the 2 x 2 frame you would just attach the doors to another face frame on the back.
And use pocket screw on the inside of that face frame to attach it to the posts.
To better understand the headboard, and see clearly what is what,
I color coded an image, and called out some things on the next.
To hang this on the wall attach the bottom half of the optional 2 x 4 that has been cut in half at a 45 degree angle to the wall like so. The other will hold the headboard to the wall!
This project can easily be customized. I saw a headboard online while surfing that could be made using these instructions. See, you could easily make the headboard below as well, by only using two large doors, and aligning the top of the posts with the top of shelf and attaching that top shelf all the way across.
I must tell you that we actually spent much less than $30.00 on this project by using old scraps from other projects. That price is more likely what you will spend buying all the wood etc. But, I thought it would be fun to give you our cost breakdown anyway, because honestly I am such a deal lover that it is fun to share.
Our Final Cost Estimate:
$8.00 – 4 Kitchen cabinet doors
$7.00 – 8′ long 4 x 4 (we have scraps and an AWESOME project planned for these!!!)
Used old wainscoting molding(from Asheville Kitchen Remodel)
Used old 2 x 4’s cut to 2 x 2 (from Asheville Kitchen Remodel too)
MDF (left over’s from our Screen making tutorial)
Screws and nails from our stash
Tools already owned
Paint (left over from Laundry room remodel)
Caulk (laundry room remodel left-overs)
Plaster for patching (left over from our unfinished column project)
Grand Total: $15.00
Remodelaholic is written by Cassity and Justin. Cassity has a degree in interior design and Justin is a landscape architect, so we adore everything that makes up a HOME! We love to share home remodeling ideas and projects we’re working on. From huge kitchen renovation ideas to small bathroom remodels, there isn’t anything we won’t try to tackle (at least once!). We are in the midst of our third whole home renovation, so there should be a lot more inspiration coming your way. We hope that you will stop by often for home design inspiration, tutorials, interior design tips, delicious recipes and what is going on in our family life.
Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
>Wow! I think your headboard looks absolutely amazing! I want one.
>Hi!
Discovery your blog now and is magic.
This is a great project.
I love DIY.
>I got a question about paint via email, I thought I would share the answer here.
When it comes to white paint, I am a brilliant white girl. I just like that brightness.
I used Satin on my project. I wouldn't recommend matte on a headboard, because after time the oils in your skin and hair would create shiny spots if you leaned against it. Also, most matte paints are hard to clean. Gloss would be fine, but you see more imperfections with gloss paint, because of the way the light reflects off of the surfaces, so just keep that in mind.
Hope that helps!
Cassity
>This is amazing!
lifeofperks.blogspot.com
>This is amazing! Exactly what I've been looking for! so much better than the fabric ones 😀
My problem is, I can't find any kitchen cabinet doors! Any suggestions?
>I was just browsing your sight and had to tell you that I just bought the very same fabric that you used on the squares above your fabulous headboard! Too funny! Beautiful job…so sophisticated. 🙂
>Just came across this, My husband and I are upgrading to a King size and I've been on the lookout for some great ideas on how to have a headboard/footboard combo that we could use, we have a couple of doors that we have taken down from our 1904 farmhouse(basically just to open up the space) that might be just perfect. all we would need to do is build a bed frame and it just might work.
>My dad and I made a headboard using your tutorial and it looks AMAZING!!! I linked my blog to yours; hopefully everyone will check out your amazing work!
I love this headboard! When I click on the pictures to get a better look it says the requested info can not be loaded. The video does the same thing? Any way you could help? I was hoping to do this project with my husband this week 🙂
Alison, Shoot, i will have to find the video for this, I hope we still have it somewhere. But I am not sure what else is going wrong, the pictures are loading for me when I click on them. Sorry that I can’t help you with that, maybe you could print the screen and paste it somewhere? Good luck!
I know this is a year old, but I just found it. Thank you for posting this! I bought a pallet of unfinished & “unusable” cabinet doors & drawer fronts from a millwork shop and have been looking for just the right thing to do with them. I have more than enough for the headboard and so I also want to make matching night stands. You don’t happen to have a tut on that do you?? 😉
Theresa, i don’t have a nightstand tut. but you could definitely do the nightstand option! I would check out Ana white, and instead of a plain side panel add one of the doors…
GOOD LUCK!
I’m looking forward to making my new headboard, but the instructional video won’t play for me. I know its been a while since this idea was first posted, so perhaps, it just not available anymore….?? Please advise, I’d really like to get going on this project and would really love to be able to see the video
Brenda I will have to try and find that video, but I can’t make any promises at this moment. But the video is just that same as the broken down model sheet so just follow those steps and you should be set!
Good luck!
Cassity
Pinned your headboard tutorial:
https://pinterest.com/pin/122512052333676612/
Following on Pinterest.
Thanks for the great idea! I need a headboard and didn’t want to spend more than $30. I even have left over wood from another project, so this will cost next to nothing to make! BRAVO!!!
I may have missed this in the post or in browsing the many many comments below…the headboard you built, the one pictured, are those measurements to a queen or king size bed? (Sorry if that’s already been answered & I overlooked!) It’s beautiful and inspiring!
It’s for a king. Thanks for liking it.
I am in LOVE with this! I am starting this tomorrow! I even got my door today. My question is what is the purpose of using the MDF as opposed to a 1X3 piece of wood instead? Is it because of cost, just what you had? or is it better to use? I have some 1X3 already and I am just wondering if I could use them, or if it will make it to heavy. Thanks you for this wonderful tutorial! I am so excited to get this done and put it up!
Tiffany, The reason I like MDF is that it doesn’t warp, split or twist, and it is so smooth and doesn’t have any imperfections, you can of COURSE use real wood. Use what you are most comfortable with! Good luck on your project!
Thanks! Ours turned out great! I love it! We just order new bedding and I am waiting until it gets here to paint it! Thank you so much for the tutorial.
You are welcome! We are glad it worked out for you.
If I can find them for around $7 like the previous reader said, it would be amazing. I have been thinking of a new headboard for a while. My current one is a DIY as well – plywood covered in fabric. If I repaint, I will probably need a new headboard to match the new color. Awesome project!
Thanks Dianne!
I love this! You are so inspiring! I would love to do something like this but I am so scared it will not come out right.
You just have to try… give yourself some slack! Keep it simple and see how it goes, I am sure it will turn out great!!! (and even with a tight budget, if you mess up, you won’t be out too much cash!) DO IT!!! Good Luck!
This is so creative! Are your measurements for a king sized bed? Thanks!
Yes the measurements are for a king. Glad you liked it!
amazing, you should have our own show, you are more creative than most people on TV, believe me I watch all the shows