How to Make a Sleigh Bed Headboard

Bed with wood headboard
  • 2-8 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 50-200
What You'll Need
Measuring tape
Sleigh bed template
Boards
Wood glue
Screws
Slot brackets
What You'll Need
Measuring tape
Sleigh bed template
Boards
Wood glue
Screws
Slot brackets

A great way to spruce up your existing room without having to shell out too much cash is to change your headboard, and a sleigh bed headboard is just one design that will add much needed character and charm to your ordinary mattress. The great thing about changing your headboard is you do not need to spend too much for the makeover. In fact, you can even build your own headboard. Secondly, it’s very easy for you to drag out any headboard once you are ready for another change, which makes it extremely convenient. Making your own sleigh bed headboard may be a little challenging, but nothing anyone can’t handle.

Step 1 - Measure the Width of the Bed

In order for you to find out the width of your headboard, you need to first measure the width of your bed. As for the height of your headboard, you can turn to your own preference. Ask yourself how high you want your headboard to be fixed on your wall. In measuring the height of your headboard, you need to create a clearance between your bed mattress and the bottom of the headboard. The clearance should be from two to four inches. To help you come up with the appropriate height for your bed, you can sit on your bed and measure a few inches above your head.

Step 2 - Cut the Parts

cutting a board with a miter saw

In order for you to come up with the specific measurements for your headboard, you need to ask for a sleigh bed template from your hardware store. You can begin cutting your MDF according to the template. The headboard will usually involve a fence-like design with curved ends of the headboard. You should cut your MDF appropriately to very long rectangles. For making those intricate designs, you need to make use of a router and slots. For making straight linear cuts, you need to make use of a jigsaw.

Step 3 - Assemble the Parts

Once you have the parts together, you should assemble the headboard according to the template you have. For more basic headboards, you will have two horizontal boards with a couple vertical ones. Attach the vertical boards to the top and bottom horizontal boards with the use of wood glue and screws. Because the MDF is not as heavy as hardwoods, such as maple, you won’t really have any problem keeping the parts of your headboard together.

Step 4 - Finish the Headboard

spray painting wood planks

To protect the quality of your headboard, you need to paint a coat of vinyl or stain and polyurethane. You can also paint it with any color paint you prefer. Nonetheless, you should sand the headboard down before you paint it with anything. Having smoother surfaces will make it easier for the paint and other substances to adhere to your headboard.

Step 5 - Mount the Headboard

At the back of your headboard attach slot brackets. You can easily do this by using screws. You can just hang your headboard on your wall.