DIY Farmhouse Headboard: Step-by-Step Build

I used the Ana White farmhouse bed tutorial to build a headboard for our new king bed!

I shared my new master bed headboard earlier this week and I still love it—this might be my favorite project to date. I followed Ana White’s classic “Mom’s Fancy Farmhouse Bed” design for the headboard and adapted it to fit our king mattress.

Ana provides plans for the complete bed, but I only needed the headboard. Since her plans are for a queen, I made a few adjustments for a king: mainly widening the main panel by adding extra planks and adjusting trim lengths. Below I’ll share the shopping and cut lists I used and a few small tweaks that helped the build go smoothly.

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I won’t repeat Ana’s step-by-step instructions here—you can follow her plan directly—but I will list what I purchased, how I cut the pieces, and point out a few helpful tips I discovered along the way.

Shopping List

4 – 1×6 @ 8′ (panel boards)
2 – 1×2 @ 8′ (trim)
2 – 2×6 @ 8′ or stud length (base of panel)
1 – 2×4 @ 8′ or stud length (legs/supports)
1 – 1×3 @ 8′ (panel detail)
1 – 1×3 @ 24″ (or buy 36″ and cut down)
2 1/2″ wood screws
1 1/4″ finish nails (for nail gun)
1 – 8′ piece of chair rail for top molding
3 – 8′ pieces of base cap molding (for inside panel border and top tier)

Tools I Used

Miter saw
Nail gun
Electric sander
Electric drill
Carpenter’s square

Cut List

12 – 1×6 @ 24″ (panel boards)
1 – 1×3 @ 24″ (center panel board)
2 – 1×2 @ 21″ (side panel trim)
2 – 1×2 @ 69″ (top/bottom panel trim)
1 – 2×6 @ 69″ (base of panel)
2 – 2×4 @ 48″ (legs)
1 – 1×3 @ 78″ (top rail of headboard)
Cut molding to fit your bed exactly

I began by cutting the panel boards to length and sanding the visible edges to create a distinct plank look. Sanding the edges by hand before assembly helps the boards read like traditional planks once painted.

I used a carpenter’s square while assembling the panel to ensure everything stayed square before attaching trim. I initially underestimated how many center boards I’d need and made an extra trip to the hardware store for another 1×3 to complete the middle panel. That’s a common and easily avoidable snag—measure twice, buy a little extra lumber.

Here you can see the 1×3 used for the center panel. With six wider panels on each side the proportions still look balanced. The sanded plank edges really help define the individual boards and give the finished headboard that farmhouse character.

After nailing everything together I filled nail and screw holes with wood putty, then primed the entire headboard. I used Zinsser Cover Stain (oil-based) and find it works reliably for blocking knots and providing an even base. I use disposable brushes with oil-based primers to avoid cleaning with solvents.

Prime in a well-ventilated space—my garage was ideal. Once the primer cured I applied two coats of Sherwin-Williams Antique White, the same color I used on our bedside tables. Having leftover paint from that project saved time and ensured a consistent finish across the room.

There’s something deeply satisfying about turning a stack of lumber into a polished piece of furniture for your home. With a solid plan, a few basic tools, and some patience, you can build a custom headboard that looks far more expensive than it cost to make.

Final Tips

Measure carefully and plan extra material for mistakes or visible joins.
Sand the edges of panel boards before assembly for a more authentic plank look.
Use an oil-based primer if you need stain blocking; use disposable brushes to make cleanup easier.
Dry-fit your trim and molding before nailing to ensure a clean, tight fit.