How To Build A DIY Headboard Shelf

This is such a fun and easy project and I’m going to show you how to build a DIY headboard shelf. It frames your bed, acting as a headboard, and also provides a nice shelf for you to place items on.

wooden diy headboard shelf against wall with queen sized bed in front and grey pillows leading against it

This is something I have been wanting to make for a while now. I’m sure you have seen those small shelves that you can build to go behind your couch for drinks and such. I wanted to build something similar to that but high enough where it would act more as a headboard and keep our pillows in place. Building it higher allows it to frame our bed and look more like a headboard, not just a storage shelf.

size view of diy headboard shelf with sound machine on top and grey pillows on bed

I was originally going to build two small nightstands but in all reality, we keep very little items on our nightstands, so it didn’t make sense for us. Going for more of a minimal look was what I was shooting for. Eliminating the two night stand we previously had in place freed up so much room. This DIY headboard shelf provided the perfect area to place a few items and accentuated our bed nicely. I’m also excited to place a few seasonal items on there from time to time to spruce up the area.

queen size bed with blue blanket on top with grey pillows leaning up against diy headboard shelf and landscape painting hung above on wall

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Materials You Will Need

Steps For How To Build A DIY Headboard Shelf

Step 1

Measure out the length that you would like your DIY headboard shelf & make the cut on one of your 1”x8”x6ft boards. This is going to be your top piece. I measured the length of our bedframe and added an additional 2 inches for clearance on both sides since our bed frame lifts up and down remotely.

Step 2

Your two 1”x8”x4ft boards are going to be the side pieces. Measure out the height that you would like your DIY headboard shelf to go up to & make those cuts. I placed my pillows where they go once I make the bed and added an additional 5 inches.

one long piece of wood and two shorter pieces leaning up against a grey house with windows on each side

Step 3

Sand down the ends & edges of your 3 boards to smooth out any rough areas. I rounded out all of my edges ever so slightly.

Step 4

Place your longer board on top of your side boards. Using your 1/8” drill bit, pre-drill 3 holes evenly spread out going through the top board into the side boards. This will ensure the wood from splitting. Attach your top board into the side boards using your #10 2-3/4” screws.

top and sides of diy headboard assembled and sitting on cement pavers

Step 5

Measure the distance from one sideboard to the other. This will be the next cut on your 1”x10”x6ft board. Sand & slightly round out the edges. This board will be the front of your DIY headboard shelf.

Step 6

Lay down your headboard shelf on a flat surface. Place your front board flush up against the top board of the headboard. It should fit right in between the two side boards. Pre-drill 2 holes going through the side boards, so it’s going into the top and bottom of your board. Screw together to secure.

diy headboard shelf laying down on top of extra wooden piece for a flat surface

Step 7

Next, measure the distance between each sideboard. Make the cut on your final 1”x8”x6ft board. This will be the back of your DIY headboard shelf that goes up against the wall. I didn’t sand this board since it will be out of sight. Flip your headboard shelf over and slide your board in between the side boards. Make sure it’s pushed up against the top board. Pre-drill and secure like in step 6.

Step 8

Place your DIY headboard shelf behind your bed. Pull your bed away from the wall to allow space for the headboard. Make sure the 8” wide board is up against the wall. Draw a small line in the middle right under the 8” board so you know where you will need to secure it. You can pull the headboard away from the wall to allow space to attach the anchor.

Step 9

Cut two small piece of wood using your leftover scrap wood. They can be about an 1.5” wide and 4” long. Using your stud finder make a mark on the wall where your line is. Place one of the short pieces of wood under the line marking where the headboard ends & where the stud is. Pre-drill with your 1/8” drill bit followed by securing it with a screw. Place the other piece of wood vertically, pre-drill & screw to attach, but loose enough so it can swivel side to side.

anchor to attach diy headboard shelf to wall

Step 10

Slide the swivel to the side, place your DIY headboard shelf up against the wall and slide the swivel up. This will secure the headboard into place and prevent it from moving away from the wall. It also still allows you to move it side to side if needed.

Well there you have it! We are planning on staining ours, I’m just waiting for the weather to get a little warmer so I’m able to let it sit outside for a few days and get rid of the stinky fumes.

Thank you for reading & if you try this “how to build a DIY headboard shelf”, tag me on Instagram! @our1sthomestead

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Until next time,

Ellen