DIY bed headboard using the books and creativity
The design of the headboard is not always strictly functional. To a large extent, it is a decoration, connected with the whole interior of the bedroom. So it is not necessary to use headboards connected to the bed structurally. For a platform bed, a headboard of any kind is hinged directly to the wall.
Therefore, a wide range of possibilities for an independent, creative choice of bedroom design opens up. One option involves finishing the wall with old books. This is not quite usual, or rather quite unusual, and the main thing is that no one else will have it. All the work can be done with your own hands, without resorting to the services of a master.
Books in the process will be spoiled, so you need to stock up on the necessary materials in advance at sales, or find unnecessary volumes at home and friends.
The number of volumes depends on the size of the headboard and the size of the books themselves, for decoration in this product needed 27 pieces.
As a base, we used sheets of plywood, with a thickness of at least 0.5 inches. We also need dowels for fastening to the wall, nails or self-tapping screws, and office glue.
First, you must determine the size of the headboard. According to these dimensions prepare the plywood. For a large double bed, one sheet is not enough, you have to assemble the base of two halves of plywood.
Then we lay the plywood on the floor and spread the open books all over the surface.
To achieve the feeling of books hanging in the air, the edges of the covers should extend at least 0.5-0.8 inches beyond the plywood.
Begin stacking the decor from the unfolded books, matching the volumes in width and height. If the width of the books may vary, the height should be chosen so that the horizontal levels of the headboard are more or less in line.
The main thing here is that the books fixed on the base are slightly above the level of the mattress, so it’s better to mark in advance the line from which the decoration begins.
Each book is unfolded in the middle of the thickness, leaving a few paired pages in the center. Fasten the parts to the plywood with small nails, or flat-head self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screw caps will be difficult to sink in so that they are not visible. When using two sheets of plywood as a base, books along the joint line should overlap on both pieces. They should be chosen with stiff bindings and fastened more carefully.
Fill the entire headboard with unfolded books, leaving 4-6 empty spaces.
The 2-4 pages left in the middle of each book are divided into two parts and glued to the rest with stationery glue, covering the heads of the nails or self-tapping screws.
As for the glue, you should be careful. It is necessary to choose a glue that will not leave traces after drying. So a tip, before you glue all the books, try to do it first on one, wait until the glue dries completely, and see the resulting quality of the finish.
Install the plywood base in place so that the bottom edge reaches the level of the mattress. Fix the plywood to the wall with self-tapping screws, or with dowel nails in places not covered with decor. Then fix the remaining elements on the headboard, already installed in place, and cover the hats of dowels and nails with them.
To enhance the decorative effect, you can apply a colorless fixing varnish to the headboard. There are now some in spray cans with a sprayer. Varnish, among other things, will reduce “dusting” paper. Only it is necessary to choose a composition suitable for use in the bedroom and does not leave marks on the bedding.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Also, you should understand that while the decor is important, your health should be your number one priority. For this reason, you should always pick only orthopedic mattresses for your daybeds, sofas, and regular beds. Not only will this give you a better night’s rest, but it will also help prevent serious injuries and long-term joint damage. A good mattress will surely last ten years or more if well cared for. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please leave them below.