Behind the Craft: The Making of a Custom Headboard
Introduction: A Piece That Started with Love
Our signature chevron headboard began as a gift—a one-off build for a beloved bedroom. That simple act became a blueprint for how we approach every custom project: listen closely, design intentionally, and build with patience. Here’s how a custom headboard moves from idea to heirloom.
Step 1: Discovery & Design
It begins with you. We talk through your room, mattress size, ceiling height, and the atmosphere you want. You might bring inspiration photos or a rough sketch. We translate those into scaled drawings, choose proportions that feel balanced, and outline the pattern—chevron, herringbone, or book-matched panels—for a look that’s unique to your space.
Step 2: Wood Selection
We pull boards that match your vision: rich walnut for quiet drama, white oak for warmth and texture, cherry for a soft glow. Each plank is checked for straightness, stability, and grain character. We mix boards thoughtfully so the final pattern feels cohesive yet alive.
Step 3: Precision Millwork
Boards are planed and jointed to true, stable dimensions. For patterned designs, angles are cut precisely and edges are jointed for tight, seamless lines. The substrate and frame are built to handle wood movement, so your headboard remains straight and true through the seasons.
Step 4: Joinery & Assembly
We use time-tested joinery to build strength into the frame and panel structure. Each segment of the pattern is glued and clamped with care. We check for square, flush up seams, and let the assembly cure fully before any sanding begins. This is the patient part—the part that never makes it into a quick time-lapse but separates fine furniture from fast furniture.
Step 5: Sculpting the Surface
Once the glue dries, we sand progressively through finer grits, easing edges by hand so the piece feels as good as it looks. We proof-fit cleats or French cleats for safe installation and, if the design calls for it, integrate floating nightstand mounts or lighting cutouts.
Step 6: Finishing
Finish brings the wood to life. We apply thin, even coats—oils or protective topcoats—buffing between applications for a deep, touchable sheen. The goal is simple: protect the wood while preserving its natural feel.
Step 7: Delivery & Installation
Your headboard arrives wrapped and protected. We install carefully (or coordinate with your installer), level the piece, and review care guidelines. The best moment is the reveal—seeing a room instantly anchored by a piece that feels like it’s always belonged.
Conclusion
A custom headboard isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the centerpiece of rest. Made with care, it becomes the quiet highlight of your home’s most personal space.