Headboard: Fence Design

WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO Click here for details on making this headboard.

tape measure
saber saw
screwdriver/phillip bit
1-1/4 " drywall screws
pencil
latex satin paint
one old rag (t-shirt)

The following lumber list is for a double size bed as seen on episode 105:
seven 1 " x 8" x 4' pine boards (most lumber dealers will cross cut to this length for you if length not in stock)
two 1" x 4" pine board
Optional:
primer/sealer
interior oil paint

Steps:

1. A double bed measures 54" across . The design we used was a replica of a picket fence front gate with a curved top and bottom. The highest point is in the center (at 5') gradually curving down to the end boards (at 4'). Cut the 7 - 1" x 8" boards to the 4 foot height, and 2 - support boards to 1" x 4" x 54". (Use a circular saw and a carpenters square to mark and make your cuts). Sand all of the boards with a 120 grade sandpaper to remove any pencil marks and dirt.
2. Lay your boards on the floor with the back facing you, (check your boards for the best face that will be used as the front of the head-board).Using a support board to represent the floor, find center (27") and make a mark. Starting with your center board, place it at center, 1 foot up from the floor board. Using your center board as a guide, measure down 4" from the top of the board and place the next two boards at that height, then measure down 4" from those boards and add your second set of boards, and finally your end boards again using a 4" drop. Now to get the proper width of the headboard, space each board about 1-1/4" apart.
3. Once the headboard is down in position, take the support boards and space them so that the top support is 4" below top of the the end board, (44" from floor). The bottom support should be 14" from the floor. Attach the support boards to the headboard using 1 1/4" dry wall screws. Be sure to use 2 screws per support board per head board. Before attaching make sure all boards are square.
4. Now that the headboard is all assembled, finish it off with a technique called washing. Using Dutch Boy Latex Satin paint and an old rag, wash the entire front and sides of the headboard with paint. Just rub the boards like you're washing a car. To give it a more translucent look, dilute your paint with a small amount of water. We left our headboard alone after we washed it with paint, but you have a couple of options. You can seal it with a water based polyurethane, or you can simply paint it using a latex or oil paint. If you do decide to paint it, prime the entire headboard first with Dutch Boy Latex Multi-Purpose Primer/Sealer. After the primer dries, sand it, then go ahead and paint with the product of your choice. Whatever you decide to do I'm sure you will enjoy this project.

Headboard and Bed Sizing

Many people are unsure of how large to make projects, depending on the size of bed they wish to build. Headboards are generally made to extend two to four inches out from each side of a mattress (depending on personal preference and the amount of room space). If the headboard is to be attached to the wall, there is more flexibility for the width. If a headboard is to be attached to a metal bed frame, be sure that the headboard supports are placed correctly based on the width of your particular frame. For projects such as the platform bed, be sure to add at least four inches to the length of the mattress for the finished platform size.

Mattress Sizes:

Crib: 27" x 52"
Twin: 39" x 75"
Full: 54" x 75"
Queen: 60" x 80"
King: 76" x 80"