Rustic Headboard

I’m not sure if it was winter boredom or the fact my guest room needed a headboard that lead me down this ambitious path.  After recruiting my husband (a.k.a. the muscle of the project,)  we were on our way to turn this pile of lumber into my rustic headboard vision.

The materials list for this queen size headboard:

(1) 1 x 4 x 8′
(6) 1 x 4 x 10′
(2) 2 x 3 x 8′
(4) 2 x 6 x 8′
1 1/4″ screws for the horizontal boards
3″ screws for the frame
(4) 4″ carriage bolts with washers and nuts

The first thing we did was to cut (2) 2 x 6’s at 65″ long (these will be the side supports.)  Then we cut (2) 2 x 3’s at 65″ long and attached them to the cut 2 x 6’s.

Using your 1 x 4 x 10′ boards, cut all six at 56″.  You can get (2) 56″ boards out of (1) 10′ length.  You should now have a total of (12) 56″ 1 x 4 boards.  Lay out your 1 x 4’s horizontal between the two supports.  Be sure to measure across, corner to corner, in each direction, to make sure your headboard is square.  Adjust if necessary.  We used clamps to hold everything in place while we screwed the boards down.  Be sure to pre-drill so your wood doesn’t split.

Next, cut the 1 x 4 x 8′ piece into (2) 42″ pieces.  These are the back supports for your horizontal pieces.  The reason I used a 1 x 4 is so it fits nicely between the 2 end supports and doesn’t hold the headboard off the wall.

After flipping the headboard over (so the front of the headboard is facing up,) we clamped a scrap piece of lumber to the back of the frame.  This will support the “mantel” pieces flush.

The “mantel” pieces were next.  We ended up using (2) 2 x 6’s.  I wanted a more “square” look instead of the rounded over edges.  So we ripped one of the sides just enough to look square.  When we ripped the other side, one was a width of 3 1/2″ and the other was 5″.  For the length, I wanted a 1″ reveal on each “mantel” piece.  So, we attached the first 2 x 6 (which is now 63″ x 3 1/2″) using a 1″ reveal on both sides and flush with the back.  Then we attached the other 2 x 6 (which is now 65″ x 5″,) using another 1″ reveal, flush with the back.  The “mantel”  kinda has a step pattern.

After sanding and staining, it was time to attach the headboard to the bed frame using the carriage bolts, washers, and nuts.  After lining up and drilling the holes, be sure to push the bolt through from the back of the headboard.  This is so the threaded end doesn’t scratch your wall.

Here is the final product in the room.  I love it!  The lumber cost was under $50!   And it actually wasn’t that ambitious after all!  I now want one for the master bedroom, but I gotta convince the hubby first. LOL!  I have to give him a break from my DIY projects for a little while.  (But just a little while.) 🙂