How to Design a Bookcase Headboard

Plan the headboard design to fit the furniture and room's architecture. Sketch various designs on a sketchpad to figure out a general design. Draw closeable sliding doors to cover an18-inch long hideaway section at each ]end of the headboard, for example. Leave a middle section open to hold books in a library-shelf fashion or bins for holding books. Plan to install the sliding doors with mirrored fronts; paint the storage bins with gold metallic paint, as one choice.

Construct the finished headboard with a depth of at least 10 inches. Use a sheathing of plywood covered in high-quality veneer that you varnish, as one construction method. Paint or stain the veneer to harmonize with the room. Plan to store the books with their spines facing out, so you can select titles easily. Build the headboard with 36 inches or more fully open with no doors over this space. Leave open shelving in the middle of the headboard; design sliding doors to cover 12 to 18 inches of this same shelving at each far end. Store clutter and personal paperwork behind the doors, if you like.

Build doors that are hinged at the top to lift up, if you prefer. Leave off sliding doors in this type of design. Buy high-quality hardware that enables you easily to maneuver each door. Think of this door motion working like a small appliance garage in the kitchen. Use this type of door covering by designing a headboard that doesn't cause conflict with the bed's mattress space. Design the headboard to fit higher on the wall; make sure that when you lift the doors to find books, the doors will clear the mattress.

Use interesting materials that harmonize with bedroom furniture. Metal sheeting of copper or upholstery material, such as leather, can be incorporated into the headboard. Design a covering of vinyl, cloth or leather for the top and outside end pieces. Cover the bookshelf space inside the unit with the same upholstery material if no doors are used. Be sure to add padding under any cloth or leather material for a tighter, smoother fit. Glue slender strips of cedar or mahogany over headboard frame work, as another finishing option.

Trim down your design before actually building it. Consider taking out bulky door knobs, wood trim or too many mirrored surfaces. Keep the look neat, clean and uncluttered if possible. Use the bed as the focal point of the room, but do this via dressing the bed and artwork over the bed. Don't make the bookcase headboard itself stand out too much.