How to Replace a Headboard With a Shelf

Many people are downsizing their lives and, consequently, the size of their living space. If you've moved into a smaller home or apartment, you may be dealing with a smaller bedroom than you're used to. Cut down on the cramped feeling by eliminating as much furniture as possible. Create a lot of usable floor space by getting rid of your nightstand and swapping out your headboard for a handy shelf over your head. You'll have your necessary bedtime items at hand while opening up the look of your room.

Measuring tape
Pencil
Drill
Shelf brackets
Toggle bolts
Hammer
Shelf

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the mattress and box spring from the bed frame. Take off the headboard by lifting the bed frame up slightly while slipping the frame tabs from the slots in the headboard. Set the headboard aside, and remake the bed.
- 2
  Measure 3 feet up from the right corner of the head of the bed, and mark this point on the wall with a pencil. Do the same over the left corner. Measure between the two points to find the center, and mark this point as well.
- 3
  Use a drill to make holes in the wall for toggle bolts at each pencil mark, using a shelf bracket as a template. The template will show you how far apart to drill the holes.
- 4
  Insert the toggle bolts into the drywall. Use a small hammer to tap them into place.
- 5
  Hang the shelf brackets above each corner of the bed and in the middle by screwing each bracket into the toggle bolts on the wall.
- 6
  Lay a shelf on the shelf brackets above the bed. Screw the shelf onto the brackets by drilling through the brackets and attaching the enclosed screws through the bottom of the shelf.
- 7
  Stock the shelf with items such as an alarm clock, small reading lamp, paperback books and attractive display items.

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