Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects are a great way to add a unique look to your home while also saving money. One popular DIY project is creating a cane headboard, which can create an interesting and vibrant focal point in any bedroom. In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in making your own stylish cane headboard.
To begin building your headboard, first determine the size headboard you need for the size bed that you will be using it on. When doing this, be sure to take into consideration the width of the rattan/cane material that you want to or have purchased. The widest that we have found is 3 feet so that would work for a floating headboard that ended up being 38" high. If you want a taller headboard than this, you'll want to make sure you can rattan/cane material that is wide enough to meet your needs.
Twin-size beds usually require a twin-sized headboard, which typically measures around 39 inches wide and 29 inches tall. Full-size beds often use a full or queen-sized headboard, measuring 54 to 60 inches wide and 36 to 45 inches tall. King-Size beds require king sized headboards, generally 70 to 83 inches wide and 46 to 58 inches tall. Finally, California king beds usually use a California king sized headboard that is at least 78 inches wide and 44 to 50 inches tall. You will want to measure the width and height of your bed so that you will know what size headboard will look best with your bed frame.
Next, you need to decide whether you want a floating headboard or a traditional headboard. A floating headboard is a type of headboard that is much less bulky and intrusive than a traditional headboard. It attaches to the wall instead of the bed frame, making it ideal for small bedrooms with limited space. Traditional headboards normally attach to your bed frame. Depending on your bed frame, this may not be something you can DIY, however, you can have the best of both worlds. You can design your headboard to look like a traditional one but attach it to the wall instead of the bed frame.
Once you have determined what size you need your headboard to be and whether you want to use 2"x4" or 2"x2" wood, then you can begin to gather all of the necessary supplies. You will need:
T50 Staples
Spray Paint if you do not want to leave the cane material its natural color.
Paint or Wood Stain for the headboard frame if you do not want to leave the wood its natural color.
Varnish (optional) you may want to consider applying at least two coats of varnish to the wooden frame whether you paint it, stain it, or leave it natural. Doing so will protect the wood as well as make it easier to dust and keep clean.
Paint Brush (if using paint or varnish)
Sandpaper
Scissors
Dust mask (optional)
Nitrile or vinyl gloves (if using paint, stain or varnish)
Rags
Wood cut to size for the frame of your headboard
· 2 pieces of 1”x2” wood cut to the length of the width you have decided to make your headboard minus 6 inches
· 2 pieces of 1”x2” wood cut to the length of the height you have decided to make your headboard minus 4 inches
· 2 pieces of either 2”x2” or 2”x4” wood cut to the length of the width you have decided to make your headboard minus 4 inches
· 2 pieces of either 2”x2” or 2”x4” wood cut to the height you have decided to make the legs of your headboard
- For a floating headboard, this measurement would be the total height of the headboard alone
- For a traditional looking headboard, this measurement would be the total height of the headboard plus the length to reach the floor
· Measurement Examples – Red = 1”x 2” wood Yellow = 2"x 2" or 2”x 4” wood For the rest of the article, the wooden pieces will be listed as a color and a letter so that you know which piece in the diagram we are referring to. For example, if we say a yellow D piece, that would be a long piece of 2"x 2" or 2"x 4" wood (whichever size you have decided to use).
Once you have all of these items gathered and have cut the wood pieces to size, sand the wood pieces so that they are smooth and free of splinters. You may want to wear a dust mask for this step, especially if you have dust allergies, and sand them in a well-ventilated area or outside. Wipe the excess dust off of the pieces after you have finished sanding them to your liking.
Cut the rattan/cane material 4" longer than the length you have cut the red B & D boards and 4" wider than you have cut the red A & C boards, using the scissors. If you have decided to paint this material, you should do that after you have cut it to size, using the spray paint. Wearing a dust mask while using the spray paint may help you with the spray paint fumes, as will painting outside or in a well-ventilated area. Be sure to follow the directions on the spray paint. Once the rattan/cane is the desired color, set it aside to dry.
If you have decided to paint or stain the wood, do so now. You should wear the gloves while doing so to protect your hands and do this work in a well-ventilated area or outside. Be sure to follow all safety precautions and directions on the packaging. If you plan to varnish the wood after painting or staining it, do so after you have achieved the color you like and everything has dried completely. As with the paint and stain, always use varnish outside or in a well-ventilated area and follow the directions and safety precautions on the packaging.
After the wood pieces are completely dry from the final coat of whatever you have used on them, glue together a red A and a red B piece with the red A butted against the flat of the red B to form a corner using wood glue. After you have glued them together, put a screw through the red B and into the center of the top of the red A piece. Then repeat this process with the rest of the red pieces until you have made a rectangle with the shorter pieces between the ends of the longer pieces. This will make sure that they don’t come apart when you move them around during construction. Now set this frame aside while you prepare the rattan/cane material.
Soak the rattan/cane material in warm water for about 30 minutes to make it easier to manipulate. Once it is more pliable, pat it dry with a rag to remove the excess water then place it over the wood frame you just built so that 2 inches hang over each side. Go to each corner of the material and measure a 2" square then cut the square out with the scissors. This will prevent you have having unsightly overlap at the corners. Now, starting with the A side, carefully wrap the rattan/cane material around the edges being careful to keep it centered on the frame. Once you have it wrapped, put a few staples in to prevent it from sliding off. The A side will be the most difficult to position correctly because all of the other sides will be loose. So take your time and make sure you have it properly positioned before placing the staples. Then go to the C side, pull it tight and put a few staples on that side. Move on to the B side doing the same thing before pulling it tight on the D side.
When you have the rattan/cane properly fastened, it is time to add the outside frame. Start by attaching the yellow B piece to the red B piece so that the 2" sides line up evenly. You can use the wood glue first, then place nails every 2-3 inches along the length of the yellow B to make it more secure. Then do the same with the D pieces.
Next you will attach the yellow A piece to the red A piece so that the ends of the B and D pieces butt against the yellow A piece. Make sure that the top of the yellow A piece is level with the top of the red B piece to form the top corner of the headboard. Attach these pieces together with the wood glue and wood screws like you did in the last step. Once you have the yellow A piece attached, do the same with the yellow C piece, attaching it to the red C piece.
You have now completed your new headboard. All that is left is to hang your newly made DIY cane headboard onto the wall behind your bed frame. You'll want to make sure it is properly centered with your bed. First, lean the headboard against the wall where you will want it located, with the back facing you and the front facing the wall. Use a stud finder to locate the center of the studs on the wall immediately above the headboard and then mark those spots on the back of the headboard and on the wall with a pencil. This will allow you to attach the fasteners on the back of the headboard in the correct place as well as to place the screws into the studs for a more secure and safe installation. It is important that you mark the center of the stud so that you can get all four of the mount screws into the stud.
Attach the fasteners on the back of the headboard where you have marked, following the directions on the furniture mounts. For a sturdier installation, you should try to place a minimum of four fasteners, 2 on the top piece (yellow B) and 2 on the bottom piece (yellow D). If your headboard placement allows you to utilize more than 2 studs then you should definitely take advantage of that, especially if you have made yours a floating headboard and/or a king size bed. The last thing you want is to have it fall on your head while you are sleeping!
Once the mounts are in place, put the screws into the corresponding studs in the wall according to the package directions. Be sure to measure the correct height location for the screws so that they will line up with the fasteners on the headboard. Using your pencil to mark the outline of where the top and bottom of the headboard will be on the wall will make this easier. You will probably need a second person to help with this step if you have made a floating headboard. Once the screws are in the wall, hand your headboard up and check to make sure it secure.
And voilà—you're done! Making your own chic and eccentric DIY cane headboard was never easier—now enjoy sleeping in style every night!