Headboards can be very expensive to buy, so why not just make one yourself? For a lot less money and with some simple supplies, you can make a one of a kind headboard that will look great behind your bed. Here are various ideas and styles to create your own personalized headboard in no time:
- The first headboard can be created from less than $100 and a trip to your local home store. On medium-density fiberboard, draw a shape/design as wide as the mattress and 40 inches tall then cut it out. With wood glue, cover the medium-density fiberboard with a beaded board cut in the same shape. Glue pieces of veneer over rough edges, use trim to put on the top edge and paint the entire headboard. Wait for it to dry, then mount it! You can use whatever color, pattern and shape you want with medium-density fiberboard to create your headboard. Play around with shapes, research some styles until you find something you like.
- Instead of making a headboard that’s the size of your bed, use the whole wall as a headboard. This can be done with wooden planks by measuring the wall to see how long the planks have to be and how many you’ll need to cover the wall from top to bottom. Start at the top by drilling a plank on the wall closest to the ceiling, making sure its secure. Work your way down until the wall is covered. You may have to cut a plank horizontally once you get to the bottom.
- An easy way to enhance a metal headboard is by draping fabric over it. You can use yardage, woven floor cloth, a blanket, etc. Clip both sides of the fabric of your choice with curtain rings and use ribbon to tie a bow around the existing metal bed frame. Now you’ve dressed up a plain, boring frame into a unique headboard in minutes!
- Rather than building a headboard, paint one on the wall. You can use whatever pattern, color or shape you want but one helpful tip is to use a rubber roller that is engraved with a wood-grain pattern; so easy! Line the area where you’ll be painting with painter’s tape. Paint a base coat of the color you want it to be then let it dry. Mix 4 parts glaze medium with 1 part paint of a darker color Paint on the glaze mix using the wood-graining tool and following the manufacturer’s instructions of rocking the tool back and forth as you pull it across the surface. Let it dry, remove the tape and you have a headboard!
- A storage headboard can be made using old dresser draws. As pictured above, you can stack them with the inside of the drawer facing outward, to be able to store decorations in them. Plan your layout on the floor until its just right, screw the pieces together. You can also cut out plywood doors like in the picture to fit a few drawer openings and screw them with hinges. Give it a few coats of paint or wallpaper the drawer backs and doors to enhance your headboard, then hang it using some 1×4-inch cleats.
If you’re up for the challenge to create your own headboard, use one of these great ideas to get you started! You’ll love your personalized headboard and all the money you save from it. For even more DIY headboard ideas, click here.