Picket-Fence Headboard
Preassembled picket or stockade fencing from a home-improvement store can easily be trimmed and painted to create the look of an indoor garden. For stability, the tall frame is anchored to the wall instead of to the bed.
All You Need
- Preassembled stockade fencing
- Sandpaper
- Latex primer and paint
- Drywall screws, anchor bolts, or other appropriate fasteners
Step by Step
1. Measure the width of your bed and the height you wish the headboard to reach. Purchase a preassembled stockade fencing panel and have the lumberyard cut it to size, or cut it yourself. Sand the surfaces and wipe them clean, then prime and paint them.
2. Attaching such a tall headboard to the bed frame may not give it enough stability. Using drywall screws, anchor bolts, or other appropriate fasteners, attach the headboard directly to the wall, then slide the bed up against it. Attach the headboard to the wall at several points on each side.
Old Tin Ceiling Panels
These panels — found in flea markets, salvage stores, or antiques shops, or taken from old buildings that are being torn down — offer instant architecture to a room filled with unusual objects. If large panels such as these aren't available, substitute several rows of small tins.
All You Need
- Vintage or reproduction ceiling tins, slightly larger than the bed
- Drill with bit suitable for metal
- Awl
- Small flat-head nails
Step by Step
Drill small holes on the outer edge of the ceiling tins. Hold the tins in place against the wall and mark through the holes onto the wall. Remove the tins, and use an awl and hammer to make pilot holes at each mark. Replace the tins and nail them in place.
Pipe Dreams
PVC pipe forms the frame for a canopy of sheets. Coordinating patterns cut from twin-size sheets are sewn into one long strip. The lightweight pipe and canopy can be installed with minimal wall damage. The canopy easily removes for routine cleaning.
All You Need
- Three 18-inch pieces of white PVC pipe
- 3 thread plugs to fit the pipe
- 3 white metal flanges to fit the plugs
- 3 caps for PVC pipe
- 3 decorative wooden rosettes
- White paint
- Screws
- Glue for PVC pipe
- 2 twin bed sheets in coordinating patterns
Step by Step
1. Mark a point over the center of the bed near the ceiling. Mark points on each side of the bed where you wish to position the side brackets. Screw a flange to the wall at each of the marked points.
2. Paint the rosettes white and, if necessary, paint the PVC pieces. Glue a threaded plug to one end of each pipe. Place a cap on the other end and glue a decorative wooden rosette to each cap. Screw the pipe into the metal flange.
3. Measure from the floor over all three brackets and back to the floor for the length of the canopy panel. Cut each sheet into 19-inch-wide strips to equal the length measurement, piecing the panels as necessary. With the right sides of the panels facing, sew them together using 1/2-inch seam allowances. Leave one short end open for turning. Turn the panel right side out, press under the open edges, and sew the opening closed. Drape the canopy panel over the brackets.
Architectural Salvage Headboard
One great piece of salvage can add immeasurable cter to a plain bedroom. Look for old finials, door toppers, or even a mantel that will fit around your bed. Be patient: It may take awhile to find just the right piece.
All You Need
- Vintage or reproduction architectural piece in scale with your bed
- Appropriate hardware for hanging
Step by Step
1. Determine the point where you want to hang the architectural piece, making sure it is not at a height where you will hit your head against it. The hanging method will depend upon the structure and weight of the piece.
2. For lightweight pieces, attach several large picture brackets or picture rings and heavy-duty picture wire to the back. Place anchor bolts into the wall, and hang the piece from the wire.
3. For hollow-backed pieces, place long anchor bolts into the wall to extend the depth of the piece. Hang the piece over these bolts.
4. For large or heavy pieces, screw a small metal strapping strip to the piece at several points. Screw the remaining end of the strip to the wall anchor bolts. Paint the exposed strapping strips and bolts to match the wall.
Hanging Pillow Headboard
Never again will the pillows droop and flop when you read in bed. These large squares hang from a curtain rod, so they will always be in the right place at the right time.
All You Need
- Curtain rod and brackets slightly longer than the width of the bed
- Purchased or handmade Euro-sham pillows
- 1-inch-wide ribbon or 2-1/2-inch-wide fabric strips to coordinate with the pillows
Step by Step
1. If using fabric strips, sew them right sides together, using 1/4-inch seam allowances and leaving the short ends open. Turn the strips to the right side.
2. Cut the ribbon or fabric strip to the same length as the depth of the pillow flange plus 1 inch. Turn the raw edges of the strips to the inside and sew the opening closed, or narrowly hem the ends of the ribbon. Sew the strips or ribbons into loops, overlapping the ends by 1 inch. Tack the loops to the pillow at the base of the flange.
3. Hold pillows to the wall to determine the height of the curtain rod. Hang the brackets according to the manufacturer's directions. Slide the pillows onto the rod, and lay the rod in place.
Garden Arbor Headboard
When updating your bedroom, head to the garden department of the home-improvement store. Ready-made or easy-to-assemble trellises and arbors are available in a variety of sizes and styles. Measure the bed and ceiling to ensure a good fit.
All You Need
- Purchased arbor or arbor kit to fit around the bed
- 1x12-inch pine board
- Plywood
- 2x2-inch boards
- Wood glue
- Screws
- Paint
- Floral fabric (optional)
- Wood filler
Step by Step
1. Measure the width of your bed; then purchase an arbor or arbor kit to fit the bed. The arbor may be slightly wider than the bed, or a narrow arbor may be widened at the top. Assemble and then paint the arbor.
2. To attach the arbor to the wall, cut a 2 x 2 cleat to fit between the arbor sides. Screw the cleat to the wall 24 inches from the floor, making sure it is level. Rip the 1x12 to 9 inches. Cut it the same length as the cleat. This will form the top shelf. Cut a front piece from plywood 18 inches deep by the length of the top shelf. Cut two 24-inch-long legs from the 2 x 2. Glue and screw the legs to the front pieces, aligning the outer and top edges. Glue and screw the top piece to the cleat. Slide the front piece and legs under the top piece, and glue and screw it into place.
3. Paint the shelf, or cover it with quilt batting and floral fabric. Screw the arbor to the frame. Fill any holes and retouch the paint.
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