How to Design a King-Sized Headboard

Design a king-sized headboard at least six inches wider than the mattress on each side to accommodate the space a comforter or bedspread requires. Determine length and width of wall space you want the headboard to take. Use those dimensions to sketch a design on graph paper, then use newspaper or tracing paper to create a design template. Tape the paper pattern on the wall above the bed to get an idea of the headboard's size before you start to cut plywood or fabric.

Use graph paper to draw several shapes and designs for the headboard before making your final choice. Create a headboard with a curved edges, or a rectangular shape, or experiment with designs of multiple panels that attach to the wall for the look of a single headboard unitl. Stick to shapes that you can cover with upholstery fabric or leather fairly easily.

Purchase 3/4-inch plywood and covering material such as vinyl, satin or leather. Buy foam padding to staple to the headboard surfaces to add cushion to the headboard under the covering. Sew the covering like a pillow case that you will pull over the headboard with the right side out. Buy accessories of wood, metal or fabric to attach to the headboard to add visual interest.

Tug the covering securely to the bottom of the headboard and staple tightly along the bottom edge across the entire width, so that raw edges don't show from the front of the bed. Glue felt on the back edge over the staples to prevent marks on the floor, if the headboard will rest directly on flooring.

Determine your preference between securing the headboard to the wall itself or to the bed frame. Use metal hardware brackets to hang the headboard on the wall by attaching support brackets to wall studs. Purchase L-shaped angle-iron metal brackets to attach the headboard to the actual bed frame if you don't want to secure the unit to the wall. Design the headboard to attach to the metal bed frame, plus rest directly on the floor to support the significant weight.