Head for bed

Short on space? Why not make a slatted headboard and incorporate shelves that can be moved into position as a side table between the slats

A slatted headboard with adjustable shelves

You will need

Measuring tape
Pencil
30mm x 30mm timber for the slats. I used dressed pine
40mm x 19mm timber for the uprights
250mm x 19mm timber for the shelves
Dropsaw or skillsaw
Stain. I used Resene Colorwood Whitewash in Resene Bask
Wood filler, if desired
Screws
Drill bit and drill
Soft paint brush and small paint roller
Sandpaper/sander
Paint (for shelves). I used Resene Quick Dry Primer and Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Alabaster

Measure the bedhead space to work out what size timber you will need. While planning, find some studs for fixing as this is where your upright timber will go. I did this under a window, as I know there is a stud either side of the window. I also added a third upright in the middle for support but this doesn't need to be on a stud.
Measure and cut slats to length. Measure the length of shelf you want and cut to length. It will be best if these can slide all the way to the wall so I made these short enough to miss the upright support timbers. I left the uprights long as I didn't know exactly where the slats would end. The uprights can be cut off once all the slats and gaps are placed and fixed in.
Give all the timber a light sand.

Step 1
Photo (1)

Step 2
Photo (2)

Step 3
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Step 4
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Lay out the slats on a clean surface with the good face or finished face down. Pre-drill and screw your top slat or horizontal piece flush with the top of all three uprights.
Put the shelf hard under it and place the next piece tightly under that. This needs to be firm so the shelves don't slip around when inserted (but not so tight you can't get them out). Pre-drill and screw the second slat.
Repeat these steps until you have used all your slats. Cut off the excess upright.

Step 5
Photo (5)

Step 6
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Step 7
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Step 8
Photo (8)

Stain the slats and uprights. I used Resene Colorwood Whitewash in Resene Bask and recommend applying with a soft brush.
Prime and paint the shelves. I used Resene Quick Dry Primer with Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Alabaster as a top coat.
Fix the headboard to the wall using at least four large screws. Fill holes with wood filler.
Place the shelves and style as desired.

Step 9
Photo (9)

Step 10a
Photo (10a)

Step 10b
Photo (10b)

Use a finer grit of sandpaper on the timber to achieve a nice smooth finish prior to painting.
The higher the paint's sheen, the easier it is to clean. For a child or teenager's headboard, you could use Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss or Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamels.

Project colours...