How to Build a Wall Unit Headboard

Measure the width of the bed, as this will give you the width needed for the headboard. The height of the headboard is up to you.

Cut two planks of 2-by-2-inch lumber to the width length and two planks to the height length minus four inches. For example, if you have a twin bed, the width planks will be around 39 inches. If you want a height of 45 inches, cut the height planks to 41.

Form the height and width planks into a frame, with the height planks on the inside edge of the width plank ends to make right-angled corners. Secure the frame together with two 3-inch deck screws countersunk into each corner joint.

Spread out a piece of foam batting cut to 5 inches wider on all sides than the size of the frame. Place the frame on top of the batting.

Pull the center point of all sides of the batting up and over the back of the frame and staple in place. Continue pulling the batting up over the back of the frame, rotating sides as you go, to achieve even stretch on the batting.

Smooth out a piece of upholstery fabric the same size as the batting, face-down on the work surface. Place the frame batting-side down on top. Secure the fabric to the frame in the same manner as you did the batting.

Mark a level line above the bed at the height you want the headboard to hang. Use a stud finder to locate the wall studs along the line.

Cut a length of 2-by-2-inch lumber to the width of the headboard minus 5 inches for a wall hanging cleat. Center the cleat on the wall line and secure it to the wall with two 3 5/8-inch drywall screws driven in at every stud point.

Place the headboard over the cleat. There will be a 1/2-inch gap between the end of the cleat and the sides of the headboard frame. Fix the headboard to the cleat with 2 5/8-inch deck screws driven every 6 to 8 inches through the top of the headboard.