I’ve been wanting to change my bedroom for months and have gone through so many iterations of headboard designs that it was getting ridiculous. I wanted it to be coastal. I wanted to be able to build it alone and get the materials home in my Xterra and most importantly I didn’t want it to cost all that much. I really should have name my site the FRUGAL DIY Girl…

Plan

Once I had arrived at the plan for the bedside tables I could move forward with the headboard. The open style of the tables meant I could have a large, solid headboard and it wouldn’t be too overpowering.

I decided on using primarily 2 x 6 for strength and low cost instead of 1 x 6. I purchased verified a pack of 8 ft. x 4 in. x 5/16 in. Knotty Pine Edge V-Plank Kit (6-Piece) from HD cut into 24″ pieces would be more than enough to be the back panel. I have 1 8′ piece left over. Some trim and a 1 x 6 for the top shelf was all I would need besides paint.

Layout

I checked and double checked the height of my mattress and boxspring to make sure the leg height would be right. I wanted to wall showing (obviously) but most of that bottom board showing.

Assembly

I had to get creative during the assembly process. I continued using my Harbor Freight pocket hole jig I purchased and I’m finally getting somewhat decent at pocket holes. I refused to pay the ridiculous price for a plastic Kreg jig and I needed one that clamped the wood and held the board while drilling.

Since I don’t have any clamps large enough for a headboard I used ratcheting tie down straps to hold everything tight while I assembled the frame.

 

When the frame was assembled I put the headboard face down on the floor and glued and nailed the planks starting in the middle and working out to each side.

 

After the center section was on I added trim molding across the top and the 1 x 6 board to the top. Filled holes, caulked gaps, and painted Benjamin Moore Barnwood in high gloss enamel which is a grayish brown, brownish gray. I love the color.

 

I will not put anything on paint or finish until it’s dried for 30 days. Too much work to build and paint something and then get impatient and ruin the finish by putting decor items on too early. I have to figure out what color fabric to wrap the box spring in (see Bed legs alternative to bed frame) and what I want to do for lamps on the DIY Industrial adjustable bedside tables, but I will want some coastal items on the top shelf on the headboard and possibly a clamp on reading lamp. I’ll worry about that when the paint has cured.