Easy How to Build a Headboard with Nightstands

I consider it such a joy to build a furniture piece for my nieces, nephews, and eventually my own kiddos as a wedding gift on their special day. So, when my nephew and his new wife wanted a headboard for their hip, downtown apartment, I jumped on the idea!

And of course, couldn’t wait to share it with you all! Another easy build coming your way!

EASY HOW TO BUILD A HEADBOARD WITH NIGHTSTANDS

(Dimensions: 9′ long X 5′ wide–Perfect for a King size bed)

Note: these instructions are for building headboard in two sections-easier to maneuver around corners and into the room where it will reside). ** denotes instructions, if not building in two sections.

Materials Needed:

6- 1X10X10 pine boards

1- 2X4 plywood sheet (3/4″ thick)

1X2X8 boards

4- metal brackets

1 1/4″ pocket hole screws

2″ Spax Screws (to attach headboard to wall)

2″ nail gun nails

60 & 120-grit sandpaper

Wood Filler

Stain or paint

Poly

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Tools Needed:

Miter saw (or circular saw)

Drill

Kreg Jig (for pocket holes)

Nail gun

Sander

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HEADBOARD:

Step One: Cut 1X10’s

Cut all 6 1X10’s @ 54″ each

**If not building in two sections, cut boards to 9′ each

Step Two: Drill pocket holes

Drill 3/4″ pocket holes, using Kreg Jig, along the long edge of each board and one end of 6 of the boards. (The reason for p.h’s in the ends of 6 of the boards is to attach both sections together, once you have it in the space you want it).

**If not building in two sections, no need to drill pocket holes on the ends of 6 boards.

Step Three: Attach with pocket hole screws

Attach all 6 boards horizontally with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws….

I like to use clamps to hold my boards together straight and tight while I’m drilling in my pocket hole screws. The clamps I have are from my grandpa’s workshop (probably 30+ years old). They still have the price tag on a few of them. $8.88 back in the day. Here’s some similar ones from DeWalt. Sad to say, the $8.88 special is over. 🙂

Step Four: Attach 1X2’s

Turn your 6 boards, now pocket holed together, over. Using a nail gun, attach three 1X2’s. This is to strengthen the headboard and keep it straight….

Step Five: Sand

Sand the entire surface and edges, using a 60-grit then 220-grit sanding pad. Fill holes with wood filler. Let dry and sand again with 220-grit paper.

Step Six: Finish

Now ready for stain or paint. I like to Pre-Stain (MinWax) and then stain. For this piece, I used MinWax Dark Walnut and then added a quick coat of Varathane Satin Poly.

If building the headboard in two sections, like I did, build the second section following the same steps as above.

Note: you won’t need to drill pocket holes on the ends of your six boards this time.

NIGHTSTANDS:

Step One: Cut plywood

Cut 2X4 sheet of plywood into two boards…each measuring 12″X13″, using a table saw or circular saw…

Step Two: Sand

Sand top and edges of each board with 60-grit then 220-grit.

Step Three: Drill pocket holes

Drill 1 1/4″ pocket holes on one short end of each board….

Step Four: Stain

Once again pre-stain and then stain (or paint)…

INSTALL

Now you’re ready to move your headboard to it’s spot. Once you have it in the room you want it, drill both sections together, using 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. (This is where those pocket holes on the ends of 6 of your boards come into play).