1. Home
  2. Plan Catalog

Mantle Moulding Headboard

diy fancy moulding headboard pottery barn
|save this plan
Difficulty
Intermediate
| Print this plan

Make a headboard with lots of moulding! Inspired by Pottery Barn Addison Headboard, features dentil moulding and crown moulding. Free easy plans from Ana-White.com

diy fancy moulding headboard pottery barn
diy fancy moulding headboard pottery barn
diy fancy moulding headboard pottery barn
diy fancy moulding headboard pottery barn
diy fancy moulding headboard pottery barn

Why We Built this Headboard

My friend Brook of Being Brook (I'm sure you already know her and follow her and adore her too - you'd be crazy not too) wrote me asking if I could assist with plans for a headboard resembling a mantel, with lots of moulding.  Her inspiration came from the Pottery Barn Addison Headboard.

For about 1/5 of the price of the Pottery Barn version, Brook made this!!!

 

Free Plans to Build this Fancy Headboard

We've put the plans together below, but please, take a second first to stop over and read Brook's post on building this bed.  

The free step by step plans follow.

 

Pin For Later! 

Mantle Moulding Headboard

Dimensions
diy headboard
Queen Sized

Preparation

Shopping List
  • 5 – 2x6 @ 8 feet or stud length
  • 1 – 2x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 – 2x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 – 1x6 @ 8 feet long
  • 1 sheet of ¼” plywood
  • 3 – 7’ sticks of moulding in sizes (see last step)
  • Optional moulding on center panel (2 8’ sticks)
  • 2 ½” pocket hole screws
  • 2” and 1 ¼” brad nails
Cut List
  • 2 – 2x6 @ 59 ¼”
  • 2 – 2x6 @ 54”
  • 2 – 2x2 @ 8 ½”
  • 1 – 2x2 @ 68”
  • 1 – 2x6 @ 68”
  • 2 – 2x4 @ 3”
  • 1 – 2x4 @ 71”
  • 1 – 1x6 @ 73”
  • 1 – ¼” plywood @ 56” x 22 ¾”
Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Start by building a basic frame. This headboard is designed for a queen size. You can alter the size by adding to the width for king, or subtracting from the width for twin and full sizes.

Step 2

Now attach cleats to sides.

Step 3

And then to front, attach additional boards. Take your time to make sure the ends match up perfectly.

Step 4

Finish off the end with some blocking ....

Step 5

Step 6

And now the header. You can also use screws here.

Step 7

Fill in the back panel. You could also fill in with an upholstered panel!

Step 8

Now add moulding! There's alot of flexibility in the type of moulding you choose.

Step 9

Here is a close up of the moulding Brook used.

Step 10

And a close up of the finished moulding Brook used. Please stop over and read Brook's post here for more details.

 
 

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Beds and Bed Frames
Headboard
Room
Bedroom
Style
Cottage Style Furniture Plans
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

l3bo

Mon, 07/23/2012 - 13:21

Hi Ana,

Love this head board. I would love it if you could take any one of your bed plans and make it into a 'How to Video'.

Thoughts?

Woodworking Chemist (not verified)

Tue, 07/24/2012 - 05:29

Do you have measurements for a king sized bed? That would be awesome if you do! Great project to follow on the half loft from earlier this week.

Whitney G (not verified)

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 11:44

I, too, would love king size measurements! These are great:) And when your daughter starts school, maybe you will have a chance to make a how-to video as suggested above. Your readers have such great ideas, don't we! It only takes a second to type out a request that will take you hours to perform:) Thanks for all you do!

Whitney

Cortney (not verified)

Tue, 08/07/2012 - 14:49

I absolutely love this tutorial! I have been looking at DIY headboards for a few days now (as I am determined to include this in our bedroom makeover), trying to decided what kind of look and headboard I want to go with. Today I saw the mantel idea on Pinterest and fell in love. My mind was made up and I began my search for instructions. Originally, I looked at the prices of actual mantels and quickly decided that was not the route I wanted to go. The other plans and tutorials I found weren't as detailed, nor did they produce something as beautiful. Thank you so much for making my day with this!! I'm super excited to get started on this!

P.S. King size measurements would be great for me as well!

Nelligator (not verified)

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 12:09

Love this site!

I am BEGGING for plans for a King sized bed! My brother-in-law is excited to start this project for me and I told him I'd look around and see if anyone had any plans.

Thanks in advance!
Danielle

Nelligator (not verified)

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 12:13

I am BEGGING for plans for this bed in a king size.

My brother-in-law is excited to start this project for me and it would be PERFECT to my new bedroom.

Thank you!
Danielle

Kokonut Kids (not verified)

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 10:00

I LOVE this...I am new to your site and this is the project my Husband and I want to make...we just need the plans in King size. We will post photos of the finished project..please, please, please do the plans in King size!! :)

Aaron (not verified)

Thu, 09/06/2012 - 13:36

What about creating a link so people could easily download a PDF file of each plan?

Sonia Sisto (not verified)

Tue, 10/16/2012 - 09:13

There is a pdf download at the top of the page for those of you asking for it. :)

Can't wait to make this! :)

Carrie McCarthy (not verified)

Sun, 10/21/2012 - 16:47

Hi Ana,
Spent the weekend on this headboard. My uncle provided some extra muscle, tools (and most importantly) know-how. I finished it and it looks just as promised. We had a little trouble with mitering the crown so if you have a tutorial on that, that would be helpful. But other than that, it's perfection! I'm now hooked on woodworking and may spend all of my time on redoing the rest of my house! You're the best!

Amy G d (not verified)

Tue, 10/23/2012 - 13:09

I just found your site and love it! This headboard is exactly what I'd like, but I need the plans with measurements for a king sized bed. We're they ever created/posted?

Amy Good (not verified)

Tue, 10/23/2012 - 13:11

I just found your site and love it! This headboard is exactly what I'd like, but I need the plans with measurements for a king sized bed. We're they ever created/posted?

Tucker (not verified)

Mon, 12/03/2012 - 16:47

Do you have the measurements for a king size in the headboard bed? If so I love to be able to make this bed.

Thank you!

Lindsey (Newpo… (not verified)

Tue, 01/22/2013 - 18:29

Love this headboard. We were able to start and finish ours in a three day weekend. However, we did make a few changes. We added about 6 inches in height and created an upholstered tufted headboard in the center. It turned out amazing and looks very luxurious! The tufting was a lot easier than you think! We did paint the bed white as shown and the fabric is a amazing silvery grey velvet.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/Lukeslove6/20130121_145835_zps…

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/Lukeslove6/20130121_145845_zps…

daviskj

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 15:34

I see all the requests for King size, but no responses. Are these sent directly to those who request? If so, I would like to have the King size measurements as well. :)

bhakeman

Mon, 05/19/2014 - 20:48

Thanks for posting these plans. I modified the design with a slightly larger insert area and shortened the overall height to 54". I plan on building the mini-farmhouse bedside tables as nightstands to go with the headboard.

As the headboard is coming together, the weight of the headboard makes me wonder just how am I going to attach this to the bed frame? Should I mount it directly to the wall, or are the 2x6's strong enough to drill through and mount directly to the metal bedframe rails?

bhakeman

Mon, 05/19/2014 - 20:48

Thanks for posting these plans. I modified the design with a slightly larger insert area and shortened the overall height to 54". I plan on building the mini-farmhouse bedside tables as nightstands to go with the headboard.

As the headboard is coming together, the weight of the headboard makes me wonder just how am I going to attach this to the bed frame? Should I mount it directly to the wall, or are the 2x6's strong enough to drill through and mount directly to the metal bedframe rails?

AlyssaW

Mon, 01/30/2017 - 20:24

This headboard is so beautiful!  Were king sized instructions ever created?  I imagine I could figure it out, but I am new to this DIY stuff and it makes me a bit nervous to stray from the plans!  Thanks!  

ehrobson13

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:46

The instructions were well written, pictures were great and although we made a few design changes (slightly different moulding and went for the "mission" look, instead of upholstered look), it was easy to do an turned out BEAUTIFULLY.  I checked the Pottery Barn website and even on sale, the similar king-sized headboard would have been over $800 with shipping.  I built this for less than $100 (gotta love Home Depot coupons!)

 

ehrobson13

Thu, 01/11/2018 - 10:46

The instructions were well written, pictures were great and although we made a few design changes (slightly different moulding and went for the "mission" look, instead of upholstered look), it was easy to do an turned out BEAUTIFULLY.  I checked the Pottery Barn website and even on sale, the similar king-sized headboard would have been over $800 with shipping.  I built this for less than $100 (gotta love Home Depot coupons!)

 

lydiamatt

Tue, 02/25/2020 - 16:54

Hello fellow builders!  We tackled this headboard designed and made it Craftsman Style...aka no trim.  And I redesigned it for a king size bed

 I will get together my dimensions and repost here in a few days!

Enjoy 

-matt

P.S.  how do I add pictures on this comment???  Am I missing something?  (Posting from my phone)

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!