This simple custom, diy headboard was built with a few 1″x10″ pine boards, inexpensive LED lights, and an in-set power strip for extra functionality. You could build this in a weekend with limited tools. It’s a great beginner project that brings life to any bedroom and provides excellent lighting that’s not “in your face” like most overhead lighting.
I show using a biscuit joiner to assemble the main headboard panel. The biscuit joiner was a new tool in my shop and it changed the way I do many things, but you don’t need a biscuit joiner for this project! You could just as easily pocket hole the boards together and that would even eliminate your need for the clamps! I’ve assembled lots of panels over the years with just the simple pocket hole jig I show here.
I also show soldering to connect the two sides of the headboards lighting strips. If I made this again, I would most likely skip that step. An alternative setup would be to raise the front panel about 1/2″ above the back frame and run a single continuous strip of lights up one side, across the top, and down the other side. I’ve used these LED strip lights in many projects and love the versatility of their application and use. The color changing feature is great for the kids room and they also feature a “dance mode” which flashes and changes colors in sync with your music.
The inset power strip is a must have in today’s world. I like the one I used here because this strip features standard outlets as well as USB power. It’s very convenient to charge devices while using them in bed and I often find my child doing homework in bed with their laptop plugged into the power strip instead of working at the desk!
I chose to attach the headboard to the bedframe and used 1/4″ bolts and a special tool to do so. Check your bed frame and see if it already has a place to mount a headboard. You might not need the tool! Also, if the bed is set against the wall like this one, you might not need to attach it at all! The rivnut tool is a great option however and you may find more uses for it over time.
One last thing I would highly recommend is weather-stripping along the back of the headboard. This will greatly reduce noise from the headboard contacting the wall, but also helps to protect the paint from scratches and dings when leaning back against the headboard. If you are building this for a child, you really don’t want to skip this step!
