How to Make a Heady Bed

Use a circular saw to cut pieces of 20- by 20- by 3/4-inch plywood for the panels. Sand the edges of the wood panels with medium-grit sandpaper. You need enough panels to span the width of the mattress. Add additional panels if you want the headboard to extend past the edge of the mattress. You can use one or more rows of panels, depending on how tall you want the headboard.

Cut a piece of 20- by 20- by 1/2-inch upholstery foam for each panel. To attach the foam, spray the front of the panel with spray adhesive. Place the foam on top of the panel, lining up the edges of the foam with the edges of the panel. Let the panels sit for 30 minutes.

Cut one piece of 26- by 26-inch fabric for each panel. Place the fabric pieces facedown on your work surface. Place a panel on top of the fabric piece, with the foam side down. Center the panel. Pull the fabric up over one of the edges of the panel. Secure the fabric with a staple gun by placing one staple in the center of the fabric. Pull the fabric over the edge of the panel on the opposite side. Place one staple in the center of the fabric. Repeat the process with the other two sides. Once complete, staple the rest of the fabric to the back of the panel.

Attach two picture-hanging rings to the back of each square with wood screws. Place the first ring 3 inches in from the left side and 3 inches in from the top edge. Place the second ring parallel to the first, 3 inches from the right edge.

Place nails in the wall at the height you want the headboard. Space the nails the same distance apart as the picture-hanging rings on the panels. Hang the panels on the nails.

Set up your bed, centering it in front of the panels.