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Chestwick Upholstered Headboard- Queen

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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Make an wood framed upholstered headboard! Free step by step tutorial!

Hi everyone! Thank you for all the positive feedback yesterday on the shed plans - I definitely want to branch out - hehe - and include more wood projects like sheds and chicken coops and would even love to tackle a modular home plan at some point!  Hopefully before Grace needs it!

And I did promise you all a headboard to match the grown up platform bed, didn't I?

We considered quite a few options when putting together these plans, but ultimately, felt a wood framed headboard would be the best accent for this platform bed.  And I am so thrilled how this bed turned out!

My friend Whitney from Shanty 2 Chic built this bed for her sister.  Here's from Whitney:

This was such a fun and easy headboard to build. I think it looks very adult and expensive, and it is a perfect partner to that great platform bed. You can easily build it for under $100 which makes it even prettier if you ask me! I built the entire thing while the babies were taking their nap. I love how you can personalize it so much with your fabric. My sister loves it too!

Make sure you stop over and check out more photos and building details from Whitney on this headboard.  And of course, the plans follow.

Dimensions
Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 sheet 1/2” plywood or MDF
1 – 1x4 @ 12 feet long
2 – 1x3 @ 8 feet long
1 – 1x6 @ 6 feet long
1” thick foam for center panel
Batting to cover foam
1 yard 54” wide decorator fabric
½” staples
Spray adhesive
1 – stick moulding
1 ¼” and 2 ½” finish nails
Wood glue
Finishing supplies
2 heavy duty metal shelf brackets for attaching headboard to bed

Cut List

1 – 1/2” plywood, particle board or MDF @ 40” x 58
2 – 1x4 @ 40”
1 – 1x3 @ 51 ½”
1 – 1x6 @ 51 ½”
2 – 1x3 @ 40”
1 – 1x4 @ 62 ¼” (header)
Moulding cut to fit

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
Staple Gun
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

Glue the foam to the plywood carefully, positioned as shown in the diagram. This is very important to get just right.

Cover with batting and fabric, stapled right to the plywood. This area is to be covered by wood frame boards. Make sure all staples are pounded into the plywood.

Step 2

Now you can either use the Kreg Jig to build the wood frame first, and then nail to your plywood or nail each board individually to the plywood, framing the foam piece in center.

NOTE: I did change the center plywood to 1/2" thick to weigh less and be less expensive to build, so change nail lengths to fit your plywood. You may wish to use screws so the center panel is removeable for changing up the fabric.

Step 3

Now add the side trim.

Step 4

Followed by top trim.

Step 5

Step 6

To attach headboard to bed, use the shelf support brackets as shown above. You may also need to attach to wall.

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
Headboard
Room
Bedroom
Style
Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

Becky Piening (not verified)

Wed, 05/02/2012 - 09:37

I made this headboard and the platform bed and my friends have fallen in love with it! They want me to help them build one for their room but they have a king size bed. Can you give me the dimensions I should use? I think I can figure it out but if you already have them...well, why reinvent the wheel, right? Thanks!

Wendy Jo (not verified)

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 02:08

I would love the dimensions for a full size bed. Also how to adapt it to use it with my metal bed frame. I love the wooden frame but I don't think I can talk my brother into helping my make that. The headboard I know he'll help me with.

Thanks

Emily W. (not verified)

Mon, 06/18/2012 - 18:46

This is so cool! I want to make this, but I was wondering how I could just make the headboard and attach it to a metal bed frame.

Thanks!
Emily

Emily W. (not verified)

Mon, 06/18/2012 - 18:46

This is so cool! I want to make this, but I was wondering how I could just make the headboard and attach it to a metal bed frame.

Thanks!
Emily

Melanie Hoehn (not verified)

Tue, 12/11/2012 - 21:56

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this bed but need dimensions for a king size bed. Do you have any or can you tell me how I would go about adjusting these plans? Also, I would like to use my bed frame and build the bed around it, is that possible? Thank you in advance. I love all your plans and have recently gotten back into wood working after being away from it for more than 20 years.

Abarrett801

Wed, 06/26/2013 - 23:25

First thank you for sharing your wonderful design! :) I am looking to build this for my little guy's big boy room. It will be a twin bed so I am wondering if you can post the project dimensions adjusting for the twin. Also I am looking to attach it to a metal bed frame. Would you also be willing to post how to attach the head board to a metal frame? :) Thanks!
-Alyssa

Abarrett801

Wed, 06/26/2013 - 23:25

First thank you for sharing your wonderful design! :) I am looking to build this for my little guy's big boy room. It will be a twin bed so I am wondering if you can post the project dimensions adjusting for the twin. Also I am looking to attach it to a metal bed frame. Would you also be willing to post how to attach the head board to a metal frame? :) Thanks!
-Alyssa

Arhall1010

Sun, 01/31/2016 - 14:10

I have been looking through the comments and most seemed to be about dimensions for a king size bed. Would you have those dimensions for this headboard as well as the platform bed that it is attached to? I am IN. LOVE. with it!!! It will definitely be a fun spring time project for myself and my hubby to try and accomplish. 

bhupesh

Sun, 12/31/2017 - 09:25

I loved the headrest, it is so easy for a beginner like me to build. The only thing that I am not able to figure out is how do I use the Shelf support bracket to attach the headboard to the bed so that the shelf bracket remains inside and not visible outside?

 

abwright

Sun, 10/28/2018 - 13:00

I like this bed a lot but my existing mattress is California King and in good shape. If nobody has the dimensions, can you tell me how I can measure my mattress for the California King?  Thanks!