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Furniture

Storage Headboard

Step-by-step build — 9 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Create the Legs, Top, and Shelf

    Cut two Legs, one Top, and one Shelf to length from 1x8 boards, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then drill pocket holes in the Top and Shelf, as shown, with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 5

  2. 2Make the Lower Rail

    Cut one Lower Rail to length from a 1x4 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then, with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Lower Rail as shown.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 6

  3. 3Install the Top and Shelf

    After sanding the Legs, Top, and Shelf, you can assemble them. To do that, align the Top with the upper ends of the legs, and attach it using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws. Then measure down 18" and install the Shelf, as shown.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 7

  4. 4Install the Lower Rail

    After sanding the Rail, you can attach it using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws. Note that it’s set 1" back from the front edge of the legs, and 7 1/4" up from the lower end of the Legs.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 8

  5. 5Make an Upper Panel

    Cut one Upper Panel to size from a sheet of 3/4" plywood, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then, with your pocket hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Upper Panel as shown.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 9

  6. 6Make a Lower Panel

    Cut one Upper Panel to size from a sheet of 3/4" plywood, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then, with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Upper Panel as shown.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 10

  7. 7Install the Upper Panel

    After sanding the Upper Panel, you can attach it using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws. The back face of the panel should sit flush with the back edges of the Top, Shelf, and Legs.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 11

  8. 8Install the Lower Panel

    After sanding the Lower Panel, you can attach it using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws. Note that, because the Lower Rail sits 1" back from the front edge of the Legs, the Lower Panel will be inset 1/4" in front. Be sure you have it aligned properly when you drive in the screws.

    Storage Headboard — step photo 12

  9. 9Finish and Enjoy

    To complete your headboard, do any touch-up sanding that’s needed, and then apply stain, finish, or paint of your choice. When it’s dry, you can mount the headboard to your bed frame. How you’ll do that depends on the type of bed frame you have. You may be able to use screws or bolts, or you may need to pick up some bed-rail hardware at your local home center.