Weekend Project: Build an Easy-to-Make Slatted Headboard

Steps:
1. Decide how large you would like your headboard to be. Typically the headboard is as wide as the bed, but it can look nice extra long or extra short, depending on the design and style of your room.

2. Cut the desired amount of slats to the appropriate length, miter cut the end of each slat. The slats in our headboard are 1-1/2” thick. To save money we bought 1x4s and cut them in half lengthwise.

3. Cut two extra slats for the vertical pieces that will be used to hold all the slats together. These do not need to be miter cut.

4. Cut two inch returns for each side of each slat. Make a 45-degree cut at one end of each piece so it will fit snugly against the end of a slat. The flat side of the return will go against the wall. Use wood glue and a nail gun to attach the returns to the slats.

5. Sand all the pieces until smooth.

6. Stain all the pieces and let dry completely.

7. Line up all of the pieces of the headboard with the returns facing up (the front of the headboard facing down). Use uniform-size scrap blocks of wood in between each slat to make sure they are spaced evenly apart.

8. Lay the two vertical pieces across the slats making sure they are also evenly spaced. Screw the two vertical pieces to each slat, connecting the entire structure. Make sure the screws are not too long, you don’t want them poking through the front of the headboard.

9. Put the headboard in place. Make sure it is level before securing it in place with 3”-drywall screws. Drive the screws through the two vertical pieces and right into the wall studs.