Do you know how to fix a strutted or wall-mounted headboard?
Think back to when you were a child – building rocket ships out of dustbin lids and sticks, or impenetrable fortresses from sofa cushions. Twenty years of nine-to-five takes its toll on everyone eventually, there’s no avoiding it. But that doesn’t mean we have to pay someone else to do our fun jobs for us.
Socrates once said that there are two things worth investing in: a pair of shoes, and a bed, because if you’re not in one, you’re in the other… (Actually maybe it was Granddad that said it – but the point still stands).
No bed is complete without a headboard.
This DIY tutorial will teach you the most impressive, and primal of home improvement tasks: mounting headboards!
If don’t already have a headboard – don’t buy one! Make one yourself with our comprehensive guide: Make Your Own Headboard.
The Importance of a Headboard
Many of us are lucky enough to live in draught-free bedrooms. But in Medieval Britain, or even as far back as ancient Egypt, things were different. Headboards served to shield residents from cold draughts at night in poorly insulated housing.
Currently, a headboard adds another layer of comfort and sophistication to your bedroom. They are also ideal for propping pillows against, on Sunday lie-ins when the kids are at Grandma’s… Bliss.
If you’re still suffering from freezing nights and constant colds then check out our post on how to draught-proof your home!
Choosing a Headboard
DIY or Designer, it doesn’t matter. Your headboard has to compliment the room. You do however, have to decide on the aesthetic or theme. Old-fashioned furniture? You’re best off going for an aged wooden, or period style piece. Modern designer Kartell Furniture and vibrant features? Maybe consider an artsy, or even a 3D headboard that will really bring the room to life.
But you’ve probably made that decision by now – or you wouldn’t be here!
The Different Types of Headboard
DIY veterans among us know full well how many different ways there are to fit one piece of wood to another. Hint – there are thousands. Headboards are no different, but fortunately enough for those less home improvement savvy, they mainly come in two forms.
Strutted or Wall Mounted
Strutted headboards fix to beds via long, adjustable, usually wooden legs named struts.
Wall Mounted headboards, that’s right. You guessed it – mount to the wall.
Fixing Strutted Headboards
You will need:
Bed frame
Headboard
Screwdriver
Scissors / Sharp Object
Screws provided with headboard
Struts
Pencil
Tape Measure
• Feel along the frame of the bed for small round holes – your headboard will attach to these. On most beds it’s fairly obvious where struts will sit as they’re clearly marked with plastic or placeholder screws. On others, they’re subtly hidden underneath thick fabric.
• Remove the placeholder material within the hole. If it’s hidden under fabric then carefully – but confidently, pierce the fabric with scissors. Be very careful not to damage any surrounding fabric!
• Measure the width and desired height of your headboard with a tape measure.
• Make a tiny mark in pencil at the chosen height on the strut.
• Insert both of the large adjustable screws into the holes.
• Slowly tighten the screws, make sure that you don’t tighten them all the way just yet!
• If it’s not already attached, attach the strutted legs to the back of the headboard with the smaller screws provided.
Again, if the screw holes are underneath fabric – carefully feel for them and mark the holes before piercing the material.
• Carefully lift the headboard and fit the struts onto the screws sticking out of the frame. Here’s where you usually find that you’ve tightened the screws too much!
• Slide the headboard to the desired height that we marked earlier and tighten the strutted legs.
• Stand back and admire your handy work.
Instantly recognise the change in the look of the room, you home-improvement icon!
Fixing Wall-Mounted Headboards
Why are hotel rooms so welcoming? No it’s not the free mini bar or restaurant on the company card. It’s because the headboards are fixed to the walls.
You will need:
Bed
Headboard
Electric Drill / Screwdriver
Screws
Metal / Wooden Fixtures (Depending on weight of headboard)
Pencil
Z Clips or French Cleats
Tape Measure
How to:
• Measure the height and width of the bed.
• Mark where on the wall your fixtures will sit.
• Have a friend help you lift your headboard and hold it against the wall to double check it looks good at the desired height!
• Make sure you’re not drilling into any pipes or electrical wiring before you begin.
• Carefully drill your fixtures into the wall making sure they sit level.
• Once attached, take time to ensure they are firmly fitted to the wall and strong enough to support the headboard.
• Carefully lift the headboard onto the fixtures
• If the headboard isn’t comfortably secure then consider using Z Clips as an added support.
Now you’ve got the hard work out of the way you can get to spicing up the room! Why not check out our other home improvement projects for ideas.
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