How to Make a Cornice Box for Over a Girl's Bed

Measure and mark a rectangle shape on your ½-inch plywood that is 9 inches by 24 inches, using a measuring tape and a pencil. Then measure and mark one rectangle shape on your ½-inch plywood that is 6 inches by 24 inches and then two rectangle shapes that measure 9 inches by 6 inches.

Cut the pieces out of the ½-inch plywood using a circular saw.

Attach the two smaller pieces to each end of the larger piece of wood using L-brackets. To do this, lay the large piece flat on a table. Stand a small piece on its side with the ½-inch side on the table. Slide the small piece up to the end of the large piece and line up the corners. Ensure the 9-inch sides are lined up. Place an L-bracket inside where the two meet with one side on the bottom piece and one side on the side piece. Place ½-inch screws in each hole of the L-bracket using a cordless screwdriver, and draw the wood tight together. The L-brackets will hold both pieces together. Repeat this step on the other side.

Lay out a piece of batting measuring 15 inches by 42 inches on the table. Center the box, large side down onto the batting. Fold the batting over the edges and secure the batting with staples using a staple gun. Ensure the front and both sides are covered.

Lay out a piece of material measuring 15 inches by 42 inches on the table. Wrap the material around the box, folding the edges to the inside, and staple with a staple gun. Ensure the fabric is wrinkle free and smooth.

Attach the 6 by 24 inch piece of plywood to the top of the cornice as if boxing in the top. Attach using L-brackets and ½-inch screws in the same manner as you attached the side panels.

Locate and mark two wall studs over the child’s headboard. Attach two L-brackets to each wall stud with 1½-inch finish screws.

Attach the cornice by lifting the cornice above the installed L-brackets on the wall, material covered side out, and allowing the cornice to softly rest onto the L-brackets. Once in the desired positioning, attach the cornice to the L-brackets by reaching underneath the cornice and screwing ½-inch screws into the top piece of plywood through the L-bracket holes.