How to Make a Headboard Out of Books

Cut a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood to the width of the bed and the desired height for the headboard. Sand any rough or splintered edges.

Arrange the open book bindings on the plywood in a pleasing design. Place them in a single layer without overlapping to create a better bond with the board.

Pick up a book binding from one corner, apply glue to the board underneath, and replace the book. Press down on it for about 30 seconds to ensure it sticks to the board.

Glue the book covers to the board one at a time, working from the outside toward the middle of the board.

Let the bottom layer of books cure completely for about one hour.

Glue on additional layers of book bindings, if desired, following the same method as the first layer. Rather than adding the second layer directly on top of the books in the first layer, try staggering them; vary the upper layers by size or color.

Place a heavy object, such as an additional piece of plywood, over the books to hold them in place while the glue dries. This is important because book bindings are naturally inclined to bend back to their original shape.

Spray the entire headboard with two or three coats of polyurethane, allowing it to dry for about an hour between coats. After applying the final coat, allow the polyurethane to dry and cure for several hours.

Mount the book headboard above the bed. Hardware options include hanging brackets, hanging wire, hooks and French cleats.