How to Make Cleats to Hang a Headboard

Measure the back of the headboard frame to get the approximate length of the cleat. Around an inch or so shorter than the back of the headboard frame is fine.

Cut a piece of 2-by-4 lumber to the desired length. Rip the lumber along the middle at a 45-degree angle. This creates the two halves of the French cleat, each side with a pointed edge.

Center one half of the French cleat on the back of the headboard, with the pointed edge down, and the long side of the pointed edge facing out.

Drill a pilot hole every 4 to 5 inches through the cleat into the headboard frame. Size the pilot holes for screws that are long enough to go through the cleat and around three-quarter the thickness of the headboard frame. Secure the cleat to the headboard with screws through the pilot holes.

Find the position of the wall studs above the bed using a stud finder. Make a straight line using a level at the height the headboard will hang from.

Place the other half of the cleat along the wall line. The pointed edge of the cleat should be up, with the long side of the pointed edge facing out.

Drill two pilot holes through the cleat into every wall stud position, with the pilot holes sized slightly smaller than 3-inch screws. Secure the cleat in place with 3-inch screws through the pilot holes.

Lift the headboard up and hang the cleat on the headboard on the wall portion of the French cleat. The two pointed edges will mate to form a strong hold for the headboard.