Learn how to build this DIY Headboard for $60 with free plans and a few basic tools! This DIY Barn Door Headboard will add character to any bedroom. I’m back to share this super cute full-sized headboard that I built for my kid’s room.

DIY-Barn-Door-Headboard

If you missed the tutorial for the platform bed frame on wheels, you can check it out HERE! You can find the bedding HERE at Pottery Barn!

Headboards can be a bit statement piece in a bedroom. This wood headboard is a very easy DIY and quick build so it’s great for beginners as well! Total cost in lumber is about $60!!!  Here’s the instructions for how I built mine!

How to Build a DIY Headboard

Supplies

  • 2 – 2x6x8
  • 7 – 1x4x8
  • 3 – 2x4x8
  • 1 – 1x3x8
  • 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
  • 2 1/2″ Pocket Hole Screws
  • 1 1/4″ Brad Nails
  • Wood Glue
  • Tape Measure

Tools

  • Miter Saw
  • Kreg Jig
  • Drill
  • Brad Nailer

Step 1: Build the Frame of the DIY Headboard

ridgid-saw

This is one of my first projects to do in my new workshop, eeeek!!!  It’s still a work in progress but it’s nice to have space for my saw and shop vac 🙂

post-measurments

Step 2: Adding the Headboard Planks

started by cutting 2 2×6 boards @53″.  These will be the end posts of the headboard.  I purchased all of my lumber hardware store.

1x4-plank-measurments

Then, I cut 14 1×4’s at 30 1/4″.

planked-headboard

Next, I drilled 3/4″ Kreg Jig pocket holes down the length of each board and one at each end of the boards, facing out (so they can drill into the 2×6 and 2×4 frame).  I clamped the joints together and attached them with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws.

join-frame

Next, I cut 2 2×4’s at 49 1/2″ (cut this measurement to fit the length of your planked 1×4’s).  These will the be the top and bottom trim around the planks. I started by attaching the top piece to one 2×6 board using my Kreg Jig and 1 1 1/4″ pocket holes with 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. Make this piece flush with the top of the 2×6.

attach-planks-to-frame

To make the planks easy to attach to the frame, I laid scrap 1×4 boards down and placed the planks on top of them.  This will help keep the planks flush with the back of the frame.

pocket-holes

Once you attach the planks to the side and top pieces of the frame, add the bottom 2×4 and side 2×6.  You can see my pocket holes above.  Notice the holes around the perimeter of the planks.  I should have thought ahead and drilled those holes into the planks before assembling the piece but live and learn.  It’s easier to drill into 1 board than a huge planked piece 😉

Step 3: Attaching the Trim to the Wood Headboard

adding-barn-door-pieces

Now for the barn door trim 🙂  I cut 1 1×4 piece at 30 1/4″  and 2 pieces at 35 1/4″ long point to short point, not parallel and both ends cut at a 31.6 degree angle.  (This is the hard stop measurement set on the miter saws for a 90 degree crown molding.  To attach them, I used wood glue and Ryobi nail gun with 1 1/4″ finish nails.  I placed the straight board down the center of the headboard and the other two pieces will fit corner to corner.

trim-measurments

For the final pieces on the headboard, I cut 1 1×3″ 62 1/4″ and 1 2×4@ 64 1/4″.

nail-trim

I used wood glue and my Ryobi Airstrike nailer to attach the 1×3 board to the top of the headboard, leaving a 1″ overhang on both ends and flush with the back of the frame.  I then added the 2×4 with 2 1/2″ wood screws and wood glue.

diy-headboard

Step 4: Finishing the DIY Barn Door Headboard

I chose to stain my wood headboard but you an finish it anyway you want! Spray paint, gel stain and latex paint are all great finish idea!

Wahoo!!!!  Time to stain 🙂

Rustoleum_Dark_Walnut

For the finish, I used Rust-Oleum Dark Walnut stain!

finished-headboard

Just apply one coat, let it dry for about 5 minutes and wipe it with a clean cloth to even the stain throughout. I love how this stain gives the headboard an old door, weathered look.

And, here is the end result!

DIY-Platform-Bed-on-Wheels

To attach it to the platform frame, I used 3 1/s” wood screws and drove them from the back of the headboard into the frame.  Super EASY!!!

Barn-Door-Headboard-DIY
DIY-Barn-Door-Headboard

I am soooo thrilled with the way my son’s new headboard turned out 🙂  I can’t wait to get started on the rest of his bedroom furniture and decor but, I need to get busy on the other kids beds first 😉 You can find the quilt and pillow shams HERE at Pottery Barn!

What do you think?  Love it?  This style makes the perfect headboard for any room, it’s such a focal point! We always appreciate your social shares and Pinterest Pins when you love our pieces!

Modification Measurments

These plans are for a full headboard. To modify the dimensions to fit your mattress size, you will only need to change the measurements to fit the width of your bed. Here are the different mattress sizes. Just adjust the horizontal boards and add more planks.

  • Twin Size Mattress – Subtract 15″ from the width.
  • Queen Size Mattress – Add 7″ to the width and 5″ to the length
  • King Size Mattress – Add 23″ to the width and 5″ to the length.
  • California King Size Mattress. – Add 19″ to the width and 9″ to the length.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Ashley

Check Out Our Other DIY Headboard Ideas and Tutorials

DIY Pallet Headboard

DIY King Sized Headboard

DIY Rustic Modern Queen Bed

DIY Loft Bed

DIY Queen Size Storage Bed with Metal Strap

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76 Comments

  1. How did you make the platoform piece, with the wheels?? Love this whole look and would love it for my son!

      1. Hello! Wondering if you have a supplies list and cut list for the head board finding it hard as a beginner to know what length & width of wood planks to buy
        Thanks

  2. Love it and adore it. We think you guys are awesome and are so glad we found your site; 2 years ago. Cant wait to transform the kids rooms. HIS Best ! T & N

  3. How did you attach the headboard to the frame? I want to do something that’s not permanent. Something that’ll be more assemble/disassemble friendly. I think I’m going to do this in a king.

  4. Can you email me? I’m having trouble. I’m trying to join the top 2×4 to the 2×6. I thought I cut my pocket holes correctly but something is wrong. Can you tell me how you set your KJ on the 2×4 and depth of the holes? Also it says you used 1 1/4 screws but that’s not working either so I’ve got something wrong. So excited to finish this project and attach it to the platform bed I built for my son. Thanks!

      1. Sorry. I meant in one of the first steps when building the frame. The top and bottom 2x4s that trim the planks are the ones I’m struggling with. Can you let me know how you set your KG and drill bit? I obviously did something wrong, the 1 1/4 screws were too short and 2 1/2 would be way too long. TIA!

  5. Hi! I love your site! I’m about to apply stain to my headboard (dark walnut gel stain) and I’m wondering if you applied any poly or top coat to yours? I also build the farmhouse bedside tables and will be staining them this weekend, so excited:)

  6. Love this look!!! Do you have detentions that would be for a queen bed and or even a twin bed? Also love the bedding. Where did you find this at?

    1. Thank you! For the queen size, you would need an additional 2 1×4’s on the planked part. A queen mattress is 6 inches wider than a full. For the twin you would subtract 15” so I would take away 4 of the 1×4’s on the panel part 🙂

      1. How would making it a twin change the angles of the angled pieces? Would I still have room for both angles pieces?

  7. I love it!! Thank you so much for sharing the “how to”, I was wondering if you would share how you did the bed frame?

  8. Beautiful! Any mod’s for a King size? I’d love this with my pretty white and ruffled bedding!

    1. Thank you Cassie! For a king, you would need to add 22” to fit the mattress, so you could at 6 1×4’s to the paneled part! The angled cuts on the decorative part will change but you can cut them to fit!

  9. I always love your projects! Im new with my Kreg Jig, so is it necessary to screw each planked piece to the top and bottom pieces with them all being screwed together? And if you don’t mind me asking, how much did all of the supplies cost for this? Thanks again for your inspiration!

  10. The bed is adorable! It looks so boyish too. I also love the bedding. Would love to know where you found it. Everything is darling.

  11. I do love this so much! I need to connect with someone who can help me hands on. This is a great talent to have.

  12. Love it! What type of wood did you purchase for this? I sit with a blank stare at all the choices…never quite sure what is best. I am really excited to try this!