How to make a book headboard!

My apartment doesn't have much on the walls. I've always wanted a headboard. I love books.

Answer? Book headboard.

Step 1: What you'll need.

• a large assortment of book covers, carefully cut from the pages using an exacto knife or something similar. (These can be found at used book stores or thrift shops.)
• Elmer's Glue-All or something similar - needs to be able to stick to wood and paper and dry strong and clear.
• polyurethane spray for finishing.
• pens or pencils for marking
• something heavy to weigh the books down while they dry
• 3M picture hanging strips for, well, hanging of course!
• a large sheet of smooth plywood that's a 1/4 inch thick and as wide as your bed. Mine was 50 inches wide and around 30 tall.

Comments

[Manny B]

Great idea. I'm always amazed by how beautiful recycling can be.

[ttunstall]

This is utterly amazing. I'm sure your apartment must be beautiful. :) I'm going to have to take a trip to Goodwill and stock up on some old books. I hope it turns out as nice as yours! =)

[jessyratfink]

Awwww thanks! We're trying to make it beautiful again. :D

Good luck with yours! And try flea markets if you have any around too, they tend to have more of the prettier, older books for cheaper!

[bettinasusca]

This is so awesome! It's a pretty big task, but I think I'm gonna have to try it. Will post a photo if I do! ^_^

[sunshiine]

What an awesome idea! thanks for sharing your hard work and great talent!

[prixprix]

This is gorgeous! I am definitely making this, thanks for posting it!

[lieslieslies]

I love your quilt, btw!

[flyinggreenfurby]

I'm going to start on this project tomorrow after I go get some plywood, how many books did you use for this?

[jessyratfink]

Hmmm... 18? Definitely less than 20. :)

[Goodhart]

I bet binder notebooks could be used for this too, with the rings removed maybe...

[lozartist]

I like how the final piece matches your quilt.

[kate-lily]

i love it. is the lamp on the table handmade?

[jessyratfink]

Nope, got it at Urban Outfitters a while back. :)

[k80bakes]

i cant wait to try this in my room when we redecorate! how unique!

[Lady Hanako]

this is probably the coolest thing ever.

[zoozi]

Beautifully creative and colorful! Love it

[Gjdj3]

Very cool! I was just entering my project over at greenwala, and recognized yours from instructables so I voted for it. Nice job.

[jessyratfink]

Thanks for voting for me over there! I ended up in the top ten, but waaaaaay below the vote spammers. ;)

[seamster]

Ouch. (I hope that wasn't directed at me?) I really got a ton of votes on my submission, and I didn't tell anyone, not even my Mom! By the way, I REALLY like this idea. I hadn't looked at in detail till today--very nice!

[Spl1nt3rC3ll]

Looking specifically at this, I just wish to be reassured know what exactly you use that ominous dungeon for, when not making headboards...

[jessyratfink]

For baking pies!

[Spl1nt3rC3ll]

... But I see no oven, kitchen, or other cooking appliance. >.>

Now you are really getting me worried. O.o

_{^{That basement photo is rather eerie, just what is your colorful headboard hiding... :P}}

[jessyratfink]

Okay, okay, you got me. I wash clothes down there. Don't look at me like that, It's perfectly normal.

[Spl1nt3rC3ll]

*Backs away very slow like.* :P

[noahh]

Very nice, but it's a bit painful to look at books ripped apart. :P (I'm only sort of kidding. But really, it's very cool.)

[jessyratfink]

Haha, I've gotten over it after working with used books for so long. Seeing peed on ones still sucks, though. :P

[noahh]

Ermmm. (I don't know how someone could reply to that). :P

[jessyratfink]

Just stating the facts! :D

[Creativeman]

Very nice project, but then you always do good work! Cman

[jessyratfink]

You're going to make my head big. :P

[blackturtle]

This is stinkin' awesome! I think even my hubby would have this in our room! You're a genius!

[jessyratfink]

Awww geez. :D

[Kathybear]

Check with your local library and see if they have books that they'll be weeding out of the collection. Our recycling will take the pages, but the covers have to be stripped off first. If you volunteer to strip the books and take the covers, you might be in good with the library director, who will save a few library dollars by getting rid of the covers. Just a bit of advice from a public library employee....

[jessyratfink]

That's a really good idea! I know our local libraries and the local colleges always have books they're not using anymore. :)

[whiteoakart]

Nice job. Simple and effective. Every so often I run into books at garage sales that are in bad shape: bindings broken, pages torn. Now I may start collecting them.

Save the pages to start your BBQ fire without lighter fluid by using a little chimney, like this one:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Charcoal-Chimney/

[jessyratfink]

Oddly enough, I was wondering about making one of those! I want to learn grilling. So thanks for the link! :D

[aimeee]

I love the concept and the colors you used! You totally thought outside of the box. So creative.

[jessyratfink]

Thank you very much! :)

[sherri281]

This is so great...I'm going to try this with more earthy tones...but i adore the colours in oyurs....

[jessyratfink]

Thank you! :D