How to Make a Headboard from Scrap Wood

Doors. It seems we always have plenty of them. Just visit any Habitat for Humanity ReStore location, and you’ll find a wide selection to choose from — exterior, interior, old, new, big, or small. There are so many ways to reuse them. A popular DIY project is to repurpose a door into a headboard. It’s not too difficult, and the benefits are numerous. You’ll reduce construction waste, save a significant amount of money by not purchasing a new headboard, and support a wonderful nonprofit organization that gives back to your community. So, let’s dive into this DIY project and have some fun!

Supplies

Door*
1″ x 4″ wood for trim (for this project we will use wood to trim out the entire door)
Many small pieces of scrap wood blocks in various shapes and sizes
Circular saw
Miter saw
Large square
Pencil
Tape measurer
Sandpaper, 150 grit
Rag
Wood glue
Nail gun
1 1/2″ brad nails

* Note: A solid door can be cut down to size without requiring additional trim. For hollow core doors, you’ll need to add trim or repurpose the cut off blocking to cover the exposed edges if you prefer not to add trim.

How To

Measure, mark and cut with a circular saw, the door to the desired width. Headboards are usually sized two to four inches wider than the mattress size. Standard mattress sizes are:
- Twin: 39″
- Full: 54″
- Queen: 60″
- King: 76″
Sand edges and wipe away dust.
Measure all four sides of the door.
For a basic butt joint (corners that have two boards butted together), cut the two shorter pieces each 1 1/2″ longer than the width of the door and the two side (longer pieces) the exact length of the door.
Place the door on a flat and level surface.
Apply glue to one side of each board. Nail with nail gun, the two end boards (shorter) to the door first, making sure there’s a 3/4″ overlap on each side and then nail the two longer side boards to the door. The corners of the boards will butt up together forming a basic butt joint.
Sand sharp corners and wipe away dust.
Attach with wood glue and nail in place, randomly all the wood squares and rectangles on top of the door, covering its surface. Option to layer blocks on top of each other
Want to know how to hang the door? Read below.

If you have a wall that is uneven or textured, your door will not lay flush up against it. Want to know the simple and easy way to solve the problem? Watch PARR Weekend Warriors, Redo with Q: Episode 13, How to Install a French Cleat and have fun watching Episode 14, How to Make a Headboard from Scrap Wood. And of course, all the materials and tools needed to complete this DIY project can be found at any of the PARR lumber locations.