Bedhead makeover

 

Skill - 2/5

TIme - 2 days

 

 

Attaching a bedhead to the wall adds a backrest while providing side shelving. The surround is a 2400 x 1200mm sheet of 15mm decorative hoop pine plywood from Mr Ply & Wood, for $165 (www.misterplywood.com.au).

The top and side edging is cut from 42 x 19mm maple, and the maple shelves of 355 x 140 x 40mm are positioned to leave a gap of about 100mm between the shelf and bed.

Seventeen 142mm squares are cut from 5mm thick CD plywood and backed with smaller 100mm squares for a shadow line to add dimension.

Tip - have all squares cut to size by the timber supplier.

Fasteners
Edging is secured to the surround with PVA adhesive and 40mm x 8g timber screws, shelves are secured using two M8 x 75mm coachscrews and washers 100mm from the ends. The surround is attached to wall studs by drilling pilot holes and securing with 75mm x 10g timber screws.

 

Position the backing squares on the centre of the decorative squares, secure with construction adhesive and leave to dry. Use 180 grit abrasive paper to smooth and round the edges of the squares and side shelves then apply two coats of acrylic wash.

 

On the edging drill and countersink 2mm pilot holes 400mm apart. Apply PVA adhesive along the surround to position the side edging, securing with timber screws, secure the top, leave to dry then apply two coats of clear polyurethane.

 

To space the squares accurately, make a T-shaped spacing jig by joining two 70 x 12mm plywood offcuts using Supa Glue Gel then apply construction adhesive to the back of the squares and position them using the spacing jig.

 

Mark the position of the shelves to drill 8mm clearance holes through the surround then 5mm pilot holes into the shelves. Push coachscrews through the surround, add two washers then tighten the screws and secure the shelves.