One question I get about our home all the time is where we bought our headboard and or if we built it. Two years ago we completed our master bedroom makeover for the One Room Challenge. At the time I shared that we built our headboard but I didn’t do an official DIY how-to. Today I’m going to share the easy farmhouse style headboard tutorial with you guys step by step. This is an extremely affordable and easy headboard to build and It’s a great first time project if you’re wanting to get your feet wet in building your own furniture.
Farmhouse Style Headboard How-To
- Measure & cut a 1×6″ to the correct length of your mattress with a couple inches extra. (For our king sized bed we cut our board 80″ long.) Screw into the studs in the desired location. The height is personal preference. We placed our 6′ high from the floor. Measure and cut 1×6″ boards from the baseboard to the top board. Nail into place leaving 1/2″ top board over-hang.
This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.
2. Cut a 4×8′ paneling sheet on the lines using a table saw. If you wish to have small gaping, use the sheet as is. Cut and nail each panel in place. We decided to only nail so that we could take it down in the future without destroying the walls.
3. Nail a 1×4″ board to the top of the headboard with a 3 1/2″ over-hang on each side. This will give your top a 1″ over-hang once the trim is in place.
4. Cut and nail molding of choice until place under the 1×4″ and on the sides. Fill all nail holes and gaps with chalking and paint in desired paint color.
One of my favorite things we did in the space was install these swinging arm lamps. It frees up space on the nightstands and anchors the headboard.
I’ve called the tutorial a farmhouse style headboard but really it’s just a traditional headboard that would work with most styles. It’s been two years and we still love out headboard today as much as we did when we installed it. The entire cost was right around $50. I love the impact it makes in the space. It grounds the room perfectly.
I’m really excited to share a project I’ve been working on this week. I plan on doing a little painting this weekend in my office. It’s taken a couple years but I’m finally wrapping up my home office reveal. I hope to share soon!
I love the bed and the whole bedroom! Thanks for the excellent tutorial. I might need to do this.
This is a beautiful room. Could you tell me what color you have on the walls?
Thank you so much, Kim! The wall color is Moonshine by Benjamin Moore.
Beautiful job on your bedroom! Could you please tell me where you got the bedding and the swivel lamps?
Hello, Can you please share what color of paint you used for the headboard? Thanks so much!
Absolutely! It’s painted in Decorators White by Benjamin Moore.
Hi, I LOVE the room. I’m thinking white headboard with SW Sea Salt on the walls. Would you be able to show a picture of the molding on the side or just explain the side molding? I’m thinking I might have to cut the front and side molding on a 45° angle?
I was inspired by your headboard project and my husband and I just finished making our own. I couldn’t be happier! Thank you! Wish I knew how to post a picture…I think you’d be impressed😉
Thank you so much, Debbie! I’m so glad you had success with it too. I’d love to see a photo. I bet it’s beautiful! Enjoy your new headboard. 🙂
Can you provide detail on how you cut and hung the molding? Finished product is noticeably different from the photo in the instructions that mention hanging the molding.
No, it’s the same molding throughout the post. A little paint goes a long way! You cut the trim ends just as you would when installing crown molding. You’ll cut it just as you would crown molding, so at a 45 degree angle but you have to position it when cutting as it would rest once nailed to the bed… if that makes sense.
Can you tell me what kind of saw you used to cut the paneling? Thanks!
I love this room so much💜
My husband completed the headboard this weekend. Super easy project for the dramatic addition to our smaller scale bedroom.
Can you tell me what jute rug this is?
Brand and color….I love the pattern of it!
I’ve ordered almost everything in your room.
Thank you so much Tori! I bet your room is beautiful! That rug was from World Market. I purchased it a number of years ago and they no longer carry it. They may have something similar though.
I love the results you have. What width of crown moulding did you use?
I love the height of your bed – how did you achieve this? Do you just have a metal frame or is your mattress and box spring simply on the floor? TIA 🙂
I love your sconces! Bed, bath, & beyond unfortunately doesn’t carry them anymore. Any tips on sourcing them elsewhere?
I love this idea, and plan to do it in my master bedroom! What about your actual bed….what kind of bedframe did you use? And did you attach it to the wall?
Where can I purchase the floral blue pillows on Bed with white headboard
I made this headboard as my first wood working project ever! I stained mine mahogany to match my existing bedroom furniture. It turned out amazing. I can’t wait to try something else, next!