Build Your Own Headboard [Guest Post]

Hello!  My name is Katie and I blog over at Running A Ragnar- a health and lifestyle blog. I also have a passion for restoring and creating old furniture.  I wanted to share my tutorial on building a headboard and Michael was nice enough to let me guest post it here!

There is something really sad about a bed without a headboard. 

 First off, your pillows are constantly falling behind the bed, if you lean up against the wall it is so uncomfortable and the bed moves, and lets be honest- it just looks like a dorm room without one. 

With all that being said, headboards are very expensive.  If you look online, a fun padded headboard in a nice print will run you at least $200.  

But what if I told you you could make one in one night for under $50?  You would run to Lowe's with your supply list and get to work.  

I used This tutorial from May Richer Fuller Be and made a few tweaks.  Head to her site for the full STEP BY STEP guide.  I am going to give you an overview with labeled pictures.  I also had to tweak mine because she uses a curtain to cover the headboard (cheaper and correct size).  I couldn't find a curtain I liked so I bought fabric from JoAnns.  You can use your favorite fabric print, but know that it may be more expensive, and may not cover the bottom of the headboard.  

Supply List:  From May Richer Fuller Be 

• Two 10' 2x4s cut down to four 54" lengths (HD or Lowe's will do this for you for free)
• One 7/16" 48"x96" (4'x8') OSB sheathing(plywood) cut down to 62"x48" (62" wide for a queen sized mattress)
• About 40 1" panel nails (I bought these)
• Hammer
• 1" twin foam mattress topper
• Measuring tape
• Serrated knife
• Painter's tape (or any other kind of tape)
• Fairfield Extra Loft Bonded Polyester Batting Quilt, King
• One 54"x84" curtain panel (I bought the Threshold Shell Print Window Panel in coral)
• I used 2.5 yards of farbic instead of the curtain panel but the curtain will cover better and be cheaper  
• Scissors
• Staple gun
• Staples
• Studs if you want to trim the headboard- buy 6 packs (at least!)  

You will use all of the 2x4, but will have leftover plywood.  I also carried all this wood into the car and into the apartment on my own.  Proud Moment. 
Depending on the size of your mattress, the width of the headboard will change, I suggest adding two inches to the overall width of your mattress to make sure it is the right size in width. Here is a chart that will help you determine the width you need for your headboard. remember, the measurements are (width X length) and you need the width measurement, the height should be the same for most beds. 

Foam is really expensive at the crafting store ( I use JoAnn Fabrics).  For a lot cheaper, you can just stop at Walmart and pick up a foam mattress pad for $9.99.  

I picked up the batting at JoAnns.  I only got 2.5 yards but I would double it so you can cover the bottom as well and maybe even an extra layer on top.  Batting is cheap and you can always find coupons on their website.

I couldn't pick a fabric to save my life.  I ended up with these two but when I got home, I noticed I didn't love how small the prints I picked were.  I ultimately picked the navy green design but I recommend finding a fabric with a bigger print.  

Make sure you iron the fabric before stapling it onto the headboard-  Nothing is worse than large pleated folded lines in the middle of your headboard.  On that note... make sure you line up the pattern nice and straight when tacking it on. 

I liked it without studs, but I thought the trim would be a nice little touch. 

My neighbors probably hate me- and I didn't get it as straight as I would like (and could not find my rubber mallet) but all in all-  the trim is another fun element on this DIY headboard. 

Find them here

Buy extra nails/tacks. 

 I ran out and had to go back out to Lowes (as you can see in the picture below). 

I am really happy with the finished product.  It took me one night, just under $50 for supplies (always look for JoAnn coupons).  It adds some fun color to the room, blocks off the window, and prevents my pillows from falling back.

By putting this one on legs, you do not have to figure out how to drill it into the wall, another plus for someone renting like me.  Even if you do own your own, putting it on legs and not having to drill it into the wall or bed just makes life easier. 

  Bye Bye dorm room style bed and hello beautiful! This is a great project for anyone with minimal wood working and crafting skills, So don't worry, you can do it! Make your own beautiful headboard, you will love the look! I would love to see your finished headboards too, so Feel free to post them in the comment area below!

   

Cottage Whimsey, sometimes a small home can be just what you need.

Taking a home that is less than 1000 square feet(964SqFt) and making it fully functional can really be exciting and fun. The Not So Big House movement is really taking off around the country, tiny homes are popping up all over, and there is a very high level of strategy involved in planning for their layout and functionality. It's very challenging and fun to make everything fit in a not so big house. This is a summer home in Madison, Connecticut that I have been working on for about 5 years for a wonderful customer who just happens to live outside Paris, France. They have fantastic ideas of ways to take this small home and make it warm, inviting and spacious. Let me show you some of the features of this 964 soft home.

The living room is a very comfortable space, with lots of window space and the spiral staircase to the basement bed room tucked away in its own glass enclosure at the other end of the room.  The wall to the main section of the house has a bead board treatment as an accent wall, with a chair rail of flat stock tying it into the walls in the hall and kitchen area.

The entire house is painted in shades of white, giving it an airy feeling even with the existing low ceilings thru out. The ceilings took some extra work to blend the seams and give a white glow at such close range.

A reference that is never far from my side is Sarah Susanka's wonderful book The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live , she is a leader in making tiny spaces explode with potential, and I highly recommend her books for anyone.

To create a driftwood look, the maple floors are finished with a white wash, "pickled", that really gives a warm feeling to the house in keeping with the white tones of the entire interior.

The Living room has a beautiful view of the marshes, and even in the dead of winter at 4 pm, the sunlight floods the room. In the mornings it is awash with sunlight, heating the living room by sunlight alone.

The spiral staircase lends a very cool element to the living room, it is closed off with a glass door and windows to give privacy to the bedroom downstairs and painted gray with stair treads of maple "pickled" to match the floors.

Bead board on the ceiling carries the design element from the first floor to the stairwell and into the lower level in a unique way.

The stairwell brings you to the basement bedroom and bath, allowing for a more private master suite or guest area. The detail in the trim keeps the cottage look with a flat "crown" moulding and bead board behind the bed. the ductwork is also hidden behind trim work with a custom  heating register that has a sliding over to regulate the amount of air by sliding it over the vents.

The stone floor gives it a rustic feel and some warm tones. For such a small area it feels large. The bathroom is to the right on the far end of the room.

With a small window over the sink, this tiny bathroom (4x6 approx) feels spacious and inviting. Not cramped at all.

Back on the main level this bedroom makes use of cabinets installed on one wall to hide a TV and give plenty of storage for clothing. It also carries the headboard and flat "crown" style moulding in from the rest of the house. 

This third bedroom doubles as a children's room or home office, I like the bright splash of color, it warms the room up and makes it feel light.

The kitchen is compact, using compact sized appliances, a 24" wide refrigerator, and 24" wide range, to give the feeling of more space. It is a comfortable workspace and for having about 12' of cabinets it has a nice amount of prep space on the concrete countertops. 

You can get a feel for the size of the house with this photo, The two bedrooms off the kitchen area and the living room at the end of the hallway show that it doesn't take much square footage to make a comfortable home.

This is a rear view of the cottage, looking up from the dock area on the river. The Annabelle Hydrangeas are stunning as they bloom through out the summer, making this not so big house the perfect home for a family.

20 Dream Closets! Amazing closet ideas to create your dream closet.

Beautiful walk in closets are fast becoming the trendiest new additions to homes all over the country. With access to so many beautiful closets online, it's fun to imagine all the great ideas you would include in your dream closet. I have 20 amazing closets pictured here and from these photos and all the beautiful closets I have built over the years I want to share some of the top ideas of features to include in your dream closet.  

Closets are a private space that can reflect your tastes as much as your style in clothes says who you are. It's fun to personalize them, the accent wall here in pink stained wood paneling with the glass shelves and the awesome bench really give it a signature look. 

I think one feature that is in the top ten is having a seat in your closet, from a simple bench to an elegant armchair, it helps make your closet a relaxing and comfortable space to spend time. Another feature that is often overlooked is having a place to display or hang clothing you are picking for the day. The three hangers on the end caps of this closet are a perfect spot to hang outfits, then kick back and choose the perfect outfit in your comfortable chair.

                                                 

Having a chandelier in your closet also adds an elegant look to your dressing area. It's a wonderful way to make a smaller room look huge. 

A spiral staircase? I think it's very cool and makes you wonder where it leads? This is a great way to make use of a basement space under your bedroom, I have seen it done with wine cellars, why not a dream walk in closet? The end wall can have simulated windows built in and lit from behind, giving the impression of being upstairs. This is a fantastic way to use that empty basement area.

Did I mention mirrors? no self-respecting dream closet would be caught dead without a full length mirror... or two. I think it is a must have in a closet. A trick I use when designing closets is to place mirrors so they face each other, this makes it easy to see a 360 degree view of yourself without contorting and bending over backwards. It should also be long enough to see a full length view of yourself, and lit with natural light if possible to present the most accurate view of how you look. 

Shoe racks, did I mention shoes?

Lots of shelves for shirts and sweaters with hanging above, this style closet allows for the neat freak in us all to shine. Organization is the most important feature to have in your closet. I know from experience, no matter how big the closet there is never enough room.

Light and space are very hard to achieve in closets. This pass-thru closet makes the room feel open and spacious. The window seat is a great spot to bring color into the space.

Center islands are very popular, giving a ton of storage for messier items like socks and underwear. The countertop is a great way to express your style, from stone to wood, and it provides a perfect spot to lay out outfits for the day.

Built in cabinets can provide you with much more space for storage while keeping things neat and out of sight. I love the accent color on the ceiling, this is your private space, you can totally express yourself!

Dark stained woods can add a richness to a closet, The well lit shelves help to keep it from making the room look too dark. I love the tray ceiling accent with the Up-lighting hidden behind the crown. I use this trick a lot in new homes, it adds great muted accent lighting to the space.

Speaking of lighting, this is the closet in my Electricians house... Just kidding.  Lighting is critical in a closet. I recommend people think hard about where they will have lights in their closet, making sure its well lit goes a long way to making it comfortable. the Crystal pendant lights make this closet look very elegant.

Directional lighting is also a great feature if you like to showcase certain items you have. Track lighting above the cabinets let you personalize what you have lit.

Glass doors on certain cabinets ad a level of elegance to a closet, providing an area for you to put your valuable items, protecting them but also allowing them to be showcased as well.

Built in laundry baskets are also a good thing, because one thing closets don't help with normally is dirty laundry. Don't you know, your dirty laundry is supposed to stay in the closet? Large drawers that pull out with baskets allow you to keep your beautiful closet neat.

Maximizing space is important too, floor to ceiling shelving can help to utilize every square foot to its max.

Warmer colors On the trim in the closet can go a long way to make it feel more inviting, a cream or linen are a great step away from stark white that really make a closet feel warm.

Hardwoods on the floors and counter tops also help to warm up a closet. notice the glass doors on the long hanging on the back wall, that makes it feel like a high end clothier's shop.

Walk in closets are a huge new trend in home renovation. Any size space can be made into your dream closet, it just takes a little planning and thought about what features you want to include. I love building closets for people, it appeals to my sense of order and neatness. I find it very relaxing to look into a well organized closet where everything has its place. I hope this blog post helps you create the closet of your dreams. Please comment below, and tell me what you would love in your dream closet, I'm always looking for new great ideas!