How to Make a Headboard With Beadboard Paneling

Ascertain the required height and width of the headboard. For the width measurement, simply measure the width of the bed. For the height measurement, sit in bed and place a small pencil mark on the wall above your head. Measure from just below the top of the mattress to the pencil mark.

Cut a piece of plywood to the correct size.

Decide what shape you want the headboard to be. If you want a simple rectangular shape, you are ready to proceed to Step 4. Alternatively, draw the shape you want the headboard to be onto the plywood with a pencil, ensuring the height and width of the headboard remain the same. Use a saw to cut the plywood to the desired shape.

Apply edge banding to the edges of the plywood for a smooth, neat finish. Cut a piece of edging tape to the correct length and position it along the appropriate edge. Use an iron on a medium heat setting to bond the edging strip to the plywood. Move the iron slowly up and down the strip, just as you would when ironing clothes.

Using the plywood headboard as a template, cut the beadboard panel to the required shape. Simply position the beadboard face down on a flat surface, place the plywood on top and draw around it. Cut the beadboard to the correct shape using a hacksaw.

Attach the beadboard to the plywood using superglue, ensuring the edges match perfectly. Stain or paint the beadboard to match the color of the edging strip, and allow to dry.

Locate the wall studs within the area where the headboard will be positioned, and mark their location with pencil marks. Position the headboard where it will be mounted and draw a faint pencil line around it onto the wall. Set the headboard to one side.

Use a spirit level to draw a horizontal line across the wall approximately 12 inches from the top of the headboard. On this line, place three to five evenly spaced pencil marks. These marks show where to position the interconnecting picture mounting brackets. Measure and draw the same pencil marks onto the back of the headboard. Separate each mounting bracket into its two halves, screwing the appropriate halves to the wall and then the headboard. Lift the headboard into position on the wall and slot the interconnecting halves of the mounting brackets into place.