Knock Knock, who's there? A DIY Headboard Tutorial

Some of you remember when I got this $30 door from Restore months ago. It has been sitting in my garage waiting for the moment to be transformed into a beautiful headboard for my bed. The day has finally come for 'lil Miss Door to be transformed.

This idea is not new to any of you I am sure. I have seen and heard of this idea everywhere. The only problem was I never saw HOW to do it. Girls, today is your day. I am going to give you a thorough HOW TO!
*note: all our measurements are for a queen bed but you can easily make a king or twin bed workout great*

Tools needed:

• A door. Pick a door where the squares are all even. If you want to be sure your headboard will workout in the end, measure BEFORE you get the door. (I totally got lucky here. I just saw this and snatched it up without thinking, luckily it all worked out perfect!)
• Circular Saw
• Router
• Hammer and nails/screws
• Two, 5' 4x4s. (We ordered one 10 ft. 4x4 and cut it in half).
• Spray Paint, color of your choice

Step 1: Cutting the Door

1. Measure the length of your bed frame (to the outer edges). You will be screwing the headboard (the 4x4s) into the bed frame.
2. When measuring where to cut the door, account for a little extra because part the door will be inserted into the 4x4.
3. Measure twice because you only get one chance to cut!
   

Step 2: Cutting and routing the 4x4's

1. Because all bed frames, whether a king, queen or twin, are mainly the same height these measurements may work for all bed sizes (key word: may. I am not saying for sure they will. so again, measure!)
2. We cut our 10 footer right in half making two 5 footers.
3. Measure the thickness and height of your door, mark your 4x4, then use the router.

Use the Circular Saw to create edges before routing (hubbies idea)

TIP: Make it a tad larger than the actual door measurements so the door can fit inside.

Knock knock, who's there? Oh, a headboard....

Step 3: Assemble Your Headboard.

1. Fit your door into the newly routed 4x4s. Make sure you pick a front and back that looks nice for all pieces before hammering together.
2. Shim between the back of the door and the 4x4 post so the door stays tight against the post in front. Screw from the back making sure the screws don't come through the front. (Pictured above: back of headboard)
   
3. Add trim pieces to the top and bottom of the headboard to finish the look. We used 2 pieces of 1x4 Pine. (notice we kept the door hole facing down so it would be covered by our bed... I am sure there is a way to fill it, but oh well, no need).
   

Step 4: Sand, Spackle, Caulk and SPRAY paint. Spray paint is more professional, faster and cheaper.

Coming Soon- Step 5: Screwing the door into your bed frame and the final reveal. She is lookin like a stunning beauty. You will be hard pressed to even think a door was used for this head board!

Please email me or comment with any questions! Ms. Headboard is currently hanging out in my garage drying her coats of paint. Hang around for the final reveal!!