Here is the finished product so you know what you are in for at the end of the project, and can decide if you want to scroll down and continue! (Wooden ram head not included :-)
Dimensions for a King Size Headboard:
72 inches tall, 86 inches wide
-this is a very tall headboard, obviously you can shop around at stores and take note of different heights.
Supplies:
-9 interlocking unfinished cedar planks; cut 86 inches long (they are each approx 5 inches wide)
-2 unfinished 2 1/2 inch wide wood trim planks (they are about 1/2 inch in thickness) get them cut to 44 1/2 inches long. *If the top decor trim you are using is 3 1/2 inches wide this will work perfect, If your top trim is wider or thinner in width modify the length to sit beneath your trim.(You need them for this trim below, or it can be left off, up to you!)
-2 planks 5 1/2 inch wide, for the legs and support, cut 72 inches long.
-1 strip of flat molding (mine was 3 1/2 inches wide) or trim for the top decor cut 86 inches long (if you get a slanted piece, and want your husband to hate you 😊, you will need an additional 2 1/2 wide trim piece to cover the top 86 inches long).
-1 can of stain, I used dark mahogany (small or medium, depending on how many coats you want. I did one coat with a stain and seal).
-1 good brush
-Building supplies; nails, hammer
Tutorial:
-Lay down the 2; 5 1/2 x 72 in. planks on an outdoor surface you are ready to build on.
-Spread the planks about 80 or so inches apart and ready to lay the cedar planks on top.
-Take a look at your cedar planks, pick ones you like the look of (cool knots or swirls in the wood) and make sure they fit together well before they are nailed down.
-Starting from the top, nail each pre cut cedar plank to the 5 1/2 planks 1-2 nails per side. (If you are not planning on using any finish wood, space the nails out so the headboard will look more uniform).
-Make sure to slide cedar planks together to interlock before nailing!
-Continue with all 9 cedar planks.
-The head board looks pretty good at this point and wood was so beautiful, I felt like sealing it and just leaving it as is for a more modern and primitive look. But my husband reminded me of how un-modern the rest of our furniture is, so we pressed on..
-Lay the 2 1/2 inch pre cut edge trim pieces on either side of the headboard perpendicular to the cedar planks. This should butt up to the side and bottom edges, leaving enough room for your top decor trim to sit above it. This will add a finished look and a frame to the outside, and also hide some of those pesky nail holes.
-Try to use only 2 nails in this process, one close to the top of the 2 1/2 inch trim and one at the bottom, to keep the headboard free of excess nail holes.
-Complete same step to other side using other 2 1/2 inch piece.
-Top Trim...if you have a nice flat piece, good for you!! Nail that baby on carefully to the top using smaller trim nails to keep your wood from splitting. If your trim has a tilt, play around with the angle, add the top 2 1/2 piece that was purchased if necessary. This takes some improvisation, but my husband had me hold the top 2 1/2 inch trim and the decor trim in place as he placed nails to the trim through the top and into the trim attaching it to the cedar plank to hold. I think if we were more patient some wood glue and putty would have helped.
-I think some wood letters or wooden scrolls from the craft store would also be cool for the top..have fun staining!!
*PS: I had so much stain left over I ended up staining a bench to put either at the foot of our bed or as a bit of decor in our room. It was nice to have another piece to bring the room together!
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