How to create a painted headboard
Whether you’re struggling to find a headboard that’ll fit your child’s bed, or can’t find one with their favorite movie character, why not add a little flair to your child’s bedroom by creating a painted headboard?
Thankfully, creating a painted headboard is a very easy task that anyone can do with the right tools and materials.
Method
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0003.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt322448d5f6e13e87/6385f2e15043801634611588/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0003.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Before making a start, create a safe working space around where you’d like to place your headboard by removing the bed, decorations, chairs, or any other obstacles. Bring a tape measure, pencil, and spirit level over to your safe working space.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0004.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/bltf64527d5eac5fa57/6385f2e5a450c327cb51e04d/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0004.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Lay out a sheet of tarpaulin in your working space.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0006.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt5cc39a743911e4bc/6385f2db51c61f1715865cf6/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0006.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Use a tape measure to measure 1.10m from the right of your wall and make a pencil mark.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0008.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt1baec9694f9a49f2/6385f2f3726ff50de9be34c1/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0008.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Then mark your centre point (55cm) with a pencil.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0005.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/bltf48af480be534e41/6385f2da41e2190b0637784e/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0005.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
After that, determine the height by measuring 1m up from the floor and make a pencil mark. Measure up from the floor again, in line with your centre mark and make a pencil mark at 1.2m.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0014.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt69755db9152a5c40/6385f31c4ce48829fd199454/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0014.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Join your markings together by drawing lines with a spirit level and pencil. Double check your marked lines are straight with your spirit level.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0016.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blta34136c4e103c935/6385f31cdf91a653ee627fcb/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0016.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Grab your masking tape and apply strips on the outside of the lines you’ve just made,
The tape provides you with not only a clearer, visual guide as to where your edges are while painting, but it also keeps your edges neat and tidy once you’ve finished painting.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0020.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt4ab5d1e38d2a2c72/6385f32f726ff50de9be34c7/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0020.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Open your tin of paint and pour a small amount into your paint tray, then apply paint at the edges of your marked out area using your brush.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0021.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt208dd04f87aea5e8/6385f35bc08ec82f09621482/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0021.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Paint the rest of the area with a small roller for a smooth finish.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0023.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt29ad7cad5a0d1f4b/6385f3598e4c9e63a40db8c2/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0023.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Wait for your first coat of paint to dry before applying a second coat.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0026.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/bltafa8f4289caf6cd0/6385f35b8d97e610dde0fbdf/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0026.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
Once your paint coats have dried, remove all the masking tape.
![Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0028.jpg](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt066259863543a0d2/blt8dd6301838582a26/6385f3670732761c0ea51011/Wickes_Step_By_Step_Painted_Headboard_0028.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&dpr=1&width=400&crop=2:1&quality=85)
And there you have it. A painted headboard.
You can be as creative as you want. Try using multiple colours or different shapes. You can even add stencils for a personalised painted headboard.