Headboard Shelf Tutorial

Last week I finished this project because I've been living without a headboard for three years . . .

Today I thought I give you all a quick how-to so you can make your own!

You will need . . .

one 1X10(faceboard)

one 1X6 (top #1)

one 1X8 (top #2)

three shelf supports

wood screws

finish nails

Step One:  Cut the boards to length.

I cut the faceboard to the length I wanted for a king size bed.  Top #1 I cut 1" shorter than the faceboard.  Top #2 I cut shorter than the faceboard by 1 1/2".  This gave me the tired look I was going for.

Step Two:  Attach top #1 and top #2 together.

(I predrilled all the holes as I went along - not sure if it was needed though)

Step Three:  Attach top boards to faceboard

Here's the view from the back

Step Four:  Find bracket placement and attach.

Mark the middle of the shelf and attach bracket, both from the top and the back.

Here's how it look with one bracket attached.

Look I have a helper!

Here's how it looks with all three brackets attached.  Starting to look like a shelf!

Step Five:  Cut and attach moulding.

I used this mounding for the space between top#1 and top#2

Cutting it to length and attaching with brad nails this is how it looks.

Here's another view.

Next I added the moulding onto the two faceboard sections between the shelf brackets.  I used a small half round moulding.

First draw lines where you would like to place the moulding.  Next measure and cut the moulding making sure to give each section a mitered corner. 

Attach once again using brad nails and it should look like this.

(next time I think I would just glue the sections on instead of nailing)

For the top shelf edge I used a large half round, once again mitering the corners and attaching with brad nails.

Here she is all built - Yippeee!

Step Six:  Paint and hang.

I used a black satin paint and distressed the edges a bit.

Finished product...

She turned out great don't you think?  If you'd like to take a look at my original post visit here.