How to Make a Window Pane Headboard

The headboard in a bedroom can easily become the focal point of the room, grabbing the eye and setting the overall mood of the space. Few other projects in the bedroom allow you to express your creativity in quite the same way. Many people feel limited to using traditional headboards that you can find in any furniture store. However, if you think outside the box you can come up with some really interesting ideas for a custom headboard that is uniquely your own. One of my personal favorites is to recycle and create a headboard out of old window frames. The finished look is charming and the project itself is relatively inexpensive and easy to do.

Here's how to make your own headboard out of window frames.

1. Measure your bed

It is important to know how wide your bed is so that you know how many window frames you need to stretch across the width of it when creating your headboard. Measure the width of your mattress and write that number down. Decide if you want your headboard to be the exact width of your mattress or if you want it to be a few inches wider and adjust the number you wrote down accordingly.

2. Shop for unique old window frames.

Now comes the fun part! You get to go out and begin your treasure hunt for unique old window frames that you can use to make the headboard. Some of the best places to look are at flea markets and construction salvage stores. Habitat for Humanity also has stores in many locations where they sell construction materials including old windows and doors. Also, check classified ads, garage sales, antique malls or anywhere else you can think of that may carry a selection of old windows.

Keep your measurements handy and bring a tape measure with you so you can measure the window frames. When you find some you like, measure how wide they are and decide how many you will need to span the width of your bed. You can choose a set of matching window frames or choose similar frames that are slightly varied from each other depending on what look you are going for.

3. Prepare the frames.

When you get the window frames home, clean them up. Decide whether you want to leave them as-is for a more rustic feeling or whether you want to sand them, paint them or any other finishing techniques. Remove the glass from the panes, clean any dirt or loose paint chips off them so you don't wind up with dirt in your hair when you wake up in the mornings.

4. Create your fabric panels

Choose a fabric that coordinates with the colors in your room. For each window frame, cut a piece of 1/4" plywood the same size as the frame. Cut a piece of fabric for each that is the same size plus about 2-3 inches on each side. Stretch the fabric over the plywood and staple it to the back all the way around the edge (as if you were upholstering a piece of furniture.

5. Attach the panels

Attach the fabric covered plywood to the window frame using staples or nails so the fabric shows through the panes in the window.

6. Hang the windows

Use a level to make sure that you are hanging the windows straight and be sure they are securely attached to the wall. The last thing you want is for one of them to come toppling down on you while you are sleeping.

This projects is relatively inexpensive, easy to do and gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Use your imaginations when shopping for the windows and you'll be sure to come up with the perfect headboard for your space.