When it comes to cabinets, the decision between plywood and hardwood is pivotal. Plywood, with its layers of thin wood pieces glued together, offers stability against warping—ideal for the cabinet’s body and shelves. Hardwood, on the other hand, introduces the charm of natural wood grain and is best suited for the front face of the cabinet, delivering a beautiful and sturdy surface.

Today I’m going show you how to build a modern headboard. For this woodworking project, I used stopped dados and walnut hardwood to create a seamless 3D wave design. The organic feel in the wooden waves was achieved by using a combination of a bandsaw, spokeshave, and some other hand tools.