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- 1). Measure the back of the headboard frame to get the approximate length of the cleat. Around an inch or so shorter than the back of the headboard frame is fine.
- 2). Cut a piece of 2-by-4 lumber to the desired length. Rip the lumber along the middle at a 45-degree angle. This creates the two halves of the French cleat, each side with a pointed edge.
- 3). Center one half of the French cleat on the back of the headboard, with the pointed edge down, and the long side of the pointed edge facing out.
- 4). Drill a pilot hole every 4 to 5 inches through the cleat into the headboard frame. Size the pilot holes for screws that are long enough to go through the cleat and around three-quarter the thickness of the headboard frame. Secure the cleat to the headboard with screws through the pilot holes.
- 5). Find the position of the wall studs above the bed using a stud finder. Make a straight line using a level at the height the headboard will hang from.
- 6). Place the other half of the cleat along the wall line. The pointed edge of the cleat should be up, with the long side of the pointed edge facing out.
- 7). Drill two pilot holes through the cleat into every wall stud position, with the pilot holes sized slightly smaller than 3-inch screws. Secure the cleat in place with 3-inch screws through the pilot holes.
- 8). Lift the headboard up and hang the cleat on the headboard on the wall portion of the French cleat. The two pointed edges will mate to form a strong hold for the headboard.
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