King Size Framed Upholstered Headboard

King Size Framed Upholstered Headboard
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Create a luxurious headboard for your bed with these simple plans. Special thanks to Amy for sharing her photo. Amy also built the bed (it's a queen size) from her own plan.

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King Size Framed Upholstered Headboard

Dimensions
King Size Framed Upholstered Headboard
Overall dimensions are shown for a king size, shown above. Please note that the actual width will be 78″ and not 84″, as shown above (to fit a standard king, 78″ wide). The cut list will reflect this change. To make a queen sized, simply subtract 18″ from all horizontal cuts, leaving all vertical cuts the same. (queen sized mattress measures 60″ x 80″)

Preparation

Shopping List

1 – 3/4 MDF or plywood (can be low grade, but make sure the plywood is straight and not damaged) 

1 – 1/2 Plywood (can be low grade, but make sure the plywood is straight and not damaged) 
6 – 1×3 boards 
2 – 10′ sticks of 2 1/2″ unfinished moulding 
2″ nails 
1 1/4″ nails 
Glue 
Wood Filler
Sand Paper 
Paint, stain or varnish 
Fabric (approximately 2 1/2 yards, at least 45″ width) 
Foam Padding 
Staples 
1″ screws to screw panel to back 
2″ screws to fasten headboard to the bed or to the wall
Cut List

A) 1 – 3/4″ Plywood or MDF @ 76 1/2″ x 40” (Back, you can use builder’s grade plywood) 

B) 2 – 1×3 @ 76 1/2″ (Top and Bottom Trims, Bottom Layer) 
C) 2 – 1×3 @ 35″ (Side Trim, Bottom Layer) 
D) 1 – 1×3 @ 76 1/2″ (Bottom) 
E) 2 – 1×3 @ 55 1/4″ (Legs) 
F) 1 – 1×3 @ 78″ (Top) 
G) 2 – 1×3 @ 14 1/2″ (Fronts of Legs) Store bought moulding, cut to fit the opening, covering the 1×3 bottom layer trim. 1/2″ plywood, cut to fit the opening (approximately 35″ x 71 1/2″)
Cutting Instructions

Please note that the actual width will be 78″ and not 84″, as shown in dimension diagram(to fit a standard king, 78″ wide). The cut list will reflect this change. To make a queen sized, simply subtract 18″ from all horizontal cuts, leaving all vertical cuts the same. (queen sized mattress measures 60″ x 80″)

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Circular Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

Please note that the above piece should be cut at 76 1/2″ x 40″
1. Back. Cut or have cut the back of the headboard. Overall dimensions are 76 1/2″ x 40″

Step 2

Please note that the top and bottom trim, boards B, will be 1×3 cut at 76 1/2″ overall length.
2. Top and Bottom Trim, Bottom Layer. Use 1 1/4″ nails and glue to fasten the trim pieces to the back, as shown above.

Step 3

3. Side Trim, Bottom Layer. Fasten the side trim to the back, as shown above. Use 1 1/4″ nails and glue. Keep outside edges flush.

Step 4

Please note that the bottom piece will be 76 1/2″, and not 82 1/2″ as shown above.
4. Bottom. Fasten the bottom in place, using 2″ nails and glue. Be certain to fasten to both the back and the bottom layers of trim. Keep back and sides flush. The front will overhang 1″.

Step 5

Step 6

Please note that the top will be 78″ long and not 84″ as shown above.
6. Top. Fasten the top in place, as shown above. The top will be a 1×3 cut at 78″, not 84″ as shown above. You will need to fasten with the 2″ nails and glue, fastening to the legs, top trim and back.

Step 7

7. Front Legs. Fasten with 2″ nails through thes sides of the legs into the side edge of the fronts of the legs. Also fasten the top of the leg fronts to the headboard as shown above.

Step 8

Frame. Measure and cut your frame from the store bought moulding. Miter the corners at 45 degrees. Uses 1 1/4″ nails and glue.

Step 9

Fabric Insert. Measure and cut the panel insert, shown in green above. Your panel should measure approximately 35″ high x 71 1/2″ long. This is correct, and the dimensions given above for the length are 6″ too long.
Dry fit your panel. You may wish to leave some room around the panel to give allowance for foam backing and fabric. When you are satisfied with the fit of the panel, cover with foam, batting and fabric, stapling on the back. Using the 1″ screws, screw from the back of the headboard into the center panel, holding the panel in place. You will want screws in each of the corners, and in the center.

Comments

Tiffany (not verified)

Tue, 02/02/2010 - 01:37

LOVE this! I am a new follower....came by way of Shanty2Chic! Love your blog....thank you for the "secrets"!

Gen (not verified)

Tue, 02/02/2010 - 08:12

yay! i may have to try this...sounds like it'd be perfect for my room!

hey, gave you an award for your blog...check it out
girlsandsunflowers.blogspot.com

Jamielyn (not verified)

Tue, 02/02/2010 - 21:20

AH I LOVE this! do you have this in a queen? thank you for all your plans, you are awesome! i have lots on my to-do list! Let's just hope I am half as good as you!

Pinz (not verified)

Sun, 02/21/2010 - 13:43

Ana - you amaze me!!! My hubby and I just made our own built ins around our fireplace and I was thinking of what I should do next when I came across your site. I cannot wait to have these painted so I can do the headboard for our bed. Thank you so much for your plans and website!! One question... what's the best way to print plans?
Thanks!
Lindsay

Annesphamily (not verified)

Tue, 02/23/2010 - 17:33

This is incredible! I am so glad my friend Barb at Dogmom Diva sent me over! You are awesome!

loni (not verified)

Sat, 03/06/2010 - 10:56

I love the headboard looks easy to make too. Do you have the plans for the base as well. Together they look amazing.

Ren H. (not verified)

Mon, 11/29/2010 - 10:26

Ana,
you forgot one very important step with this headboard plan.

12. To complete, place one dog onto bed.

I know our (not home made yet) bed isn't complete without a dog or two on it!

CelesteC

Thu, 04/14/2011 - 14:12

Ren H. You are soooo right! I'm looking for ways to make our bed big and comfy enough for myself, hubby (we're both overweight) our boy Yorkie and our deaf Great Dane girl and that's how I found this brilliant site. Can't wait for hubby to wake him up and show him

Teri (not verified)

Wed, 12/22/2010 - 15:45

Ana, you are my hero! Alaska and Hawaii have something in common----furniture and shipping is so expensive! When I found your website I became so excited! I haven't had a headboard for 17 years and I am going to build this one as my first ana-white.com project! Thank you!

David (not verified)

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 10:53

Trying to figure out the cut down to make a twin headboard. Does anyone have those dimensions?  Any suggestions on how tall I should make it so it isn't mis-proportioned? Thanks.

diameora (not verified)

Sat, 06/02/2012 - 22:22

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