How to Make a Headboard With Shelves

Decide where you want to place the shelf above the bed. You can put the shelf anywhere you want, but make sure you can sit up in the bed without hitting your head on it. Decide on the number of shelves and their positioning on the wall.

Use a level and a pencil to draw a line where the shelves will go.

Buy wood planks of the height and width that you want for the shelf. Measure the shelves to length and cut them with a saw.

Sand the wood with 220-grit sandpaper. Sand all the sides, especially any sides you cut with the saw. When they are smooth, wipe the wood clean with a damp towel.

Paint the wood with a primer. Read labels to find out which products are good to use as a wood primer. Most labels say specifically which materials they can be used on. Wait for the wood to dry.

Paint the wood the color you choose for the shelf. Wait for the paint to dry. If the color looks thin or streaky, add another layer.

Hold up the hidden shelf bracket to the lines you drew on the wall. Mark a dot for each screw hole.

Drill a hole with the power drill on each dot. If the hole is on a wall stud there's less work for you. If the hole is drilled directly into the drywall, with no wall stud behind it, use a hammer to insert a molly bolt. Reverse the drill to remove the screw from inside the molly bolt.

Place the bracket on the wall and line up the holes. Drill the screws into the holes. Make sure they are tight (can't be turned any further).

Insert the back end of the shelf into the bracket channel.