Coastal Cottage-Style Shutter Headboard

Easily create this inexpensive yet impressive headboard using unfinished shutters, paint and sandpaper.

Coastal Cottage-Style Shutter Headboard

Layla Palmer used these louvered shutter doors to create this unique headboard.

By: Layla Palmer

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Materials Needed:

unfinished, louvered shutter doors (available at most home improvement stores)
screwdriver
(2) 2-1/2" screws and coordinating anchors
hammer
drill
several small mending braces and screws
aerosol spray primer

pint latex paint, in the color and finish of your choice
2" wide paintbrush
sanding block
8-grit sandpaper
ventilation mask
plastic drop cloth

Measure Bed

Measure the width of the bed to determine how many (and what width) shutters to purchase.

Prepare Shutters for Painting

Remove hinges and doorknobs then place the shutters on a large plastic drop cloth.

Remove hinges and door knobs to prepare for paint.

Place the shutters on a large plastic drop cloth to prepare for painting.

Remove Shutter Hardware

Remove hinges and door knobs to prepare for paint.

Place Shutters on Plastic Drop Cloth

Place the shutters on a large plastic drop cloth to prepare for painting.

Prime Shutters

Wearing a ventilation mask, lightly coat the front and sides of each shutter with spray primer. It's okay if bare wood shows through in places to add to the antique look. Tip: To prevent drips, hold the can approximately 12 inches away from shutters when spraying, and move the can in smooth, sweeping motions.

Hand Spraying Primer on Unfinished Wood Shutter

Spray Primer on Shutters

Paint Shutters

Once the primer has completely dried, use a 2-inch wide paintbrush to coat the shutters with paint. To create a weathered look, load the brush with paint, then wipe some of it off onto a paper towel before applying it to the shutters — this technique is called "dry brushing" and allows some of the primer and wood color to show through. Allow paint to dry completely before moving onto the next step.

Allow paint to dry completely before moving onto the next step.

Paint Shutters

Once the primer has completely dried, use a 2-inch wide paintbrush to coat the shutters with paint. To create a weathered look, load the brush with paint; then wipe some of it off onto a paper towel before applying it to the shutters — this technique is called "dry brushing" and allows some of the primer and wood color to show through.

Allow Paint to Dry

Allow paint to dry completely before moving onto the next step.

Sand Shutters

Use a sanding block wrapped in 80-grit sandpaper to remove painted areas and increase the weathered look. Tip: Concentrate your sanding efforts on areas that would have seen the most wear, such as the outside edges of each shutter and the front edge of louvers.