How to Make a Bulletin Board Headboard

Cut Headboard to Size

A twin mattress is 39 inches wide, so when we found a precut sheet of plywood in 4' x 4' (48" x 48") we knew we would only have to make one cut to it. We cut the board to 43" x 48". The plywood will be the backing of the headboard, but since we are making our headboard a bulletin board as well we will need to add the homasote on top of the plywood. Using the plywood as a template, cut the homasote to size with a razor blade.

Get Clean Edges

Homasote board is made from recycled paper that is compressed under high temperature and pressure and then held together with glue. Try cutting it with a saw and you will get a big mess with paper flying everywhere. Cutting it with a razor blade is much neater, but you will still have exposed edges. A simple fix is to take some packing tape and cover the edges.

Attach Backing to Homasote Board

Use liquid nails to attach homasote board to plywood backing. Since plywood backing is so thin it's good to put some weight on it while it sets in order to prevent bowing. You can also apply C clamps to the corners.

Attach Mounting Pieces

Since the plywood backing is thin it would be difficult to add D-rings for hanging to the back of the board. A simple way to mount the finished product on the wall would be to adhere two pieces of scrap wood. (We used pieces that were 1-inch deep and 24 inches long and applied them to the top and bottom of the board with liquid nails.) Now you can nail two nails on the wall and use the top mounting piece for your nails and the bottom mounting piece, making sure the bottom sticks out equally from the top.

Apply Grass-Cloth to Homasote

Since we're making a twin headboard you will only need one width of the grass-cloth wallpaper; no need for a seam. Simply cut your grass-cloth wallpaper to size for the perfect length, then spray the homasote board and wallpaper.

Cut Trim Pieces

In order to make more of an impact with our trim it's going to extend past our headboard base. The outside dimensions of the finished product with the trim are 51" x 45". So the horizontal trim pieces are 45 inches in length and the vertical trim pieces are 51 inches in length. In order to get perfect corners, cut the trim pieces at a 45-degree angle with a compound miter saw or miter box. Sand exposed edges of trim pieces, then spray-paint.

Apply Trim Pieces

Once your painted trim pieces are dry, apply them to the headboard with liquid nails. Use C clamps in the corners with a piece of spare wood to help the liquid nails set properly. Let set overnight. The next day, flip it over and add staples in the corners where the trim meets. Screw heavy-duty hangers into the wood to hang the headboard.