How to Attach an Upholstered Headboard to a Bed Frame

If you made or bought an upholstered headboard, you may be wondering how to attach it to your bed. While you can attach the headboard to the wall, this requires measuring and putting holes in the wall, which may not work if you are renting or don’t want to damage the wall. Metal bed frames have holes at the top edge of the frame made for attaching headboards. You will need only a few extra materials to securely fasten the headboard.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 2-by-2-inch wood posts
• Paint or stain
• Foam paintbrush
• Drill
• Drill bit slightly larger than the diameter of the bolts
• Construction adhesive
• Phillips head drill bit
• 2½-inch Phillips head wood screws
• 2 metal bolts, 3 inches
• Wrench

Instructions

1. Measure from the floor to the height you want the bottom of the headboard. Measure the hole at the top edge of the headboard to see what diameter bolts you need. Visit a hardware store and have two 2-by-2-inch wood posts cut to 2 inches longer than this measurement.

2. Paint or stain the wood posts to the color of your choice, using a foam paintbrush. You will be able to see these posts after the headboard is mounted. Let the posts dry completely.

3. Set one post on the ground, against one top edge of the bedframe, making sure the outside edge of the post is flush with the outside edge of the bedframe. Mark through the hole in the bed frame onto the post. This will be where you drill a hole. Complete the same process for the other post and bed frame edge.

4. Fit a power drill with a drill bit slightly larger than the diameter of the bolts. Drill through the posts at the mark you made.

5. Lay the headboard face down on a flat surface.

6. Measure 2 inches up from the bottom right edge of the back of the headboard, using a measuring. Mark this spot with a pencil. Repeat for the left bottom edge of the back of the headboard.

7. Place a drop of construction adhesive below the two marks you made on the back of the headboard.

8. Line up the top edge of one post with the pencil mark you made on the right edge of the headboard, make sure the edge of the post is flush with the edge of the headboard.

9. Fit the drill with a Phillips head bit and screw one 2½-inch wood screw through the post into the headboard. Repeat the same step for the left side of the headboard. Let the adhesive dry completely.

10. Set the headboard right side facing you against the bedframe. Thread a bolt through the back side of the post and into the hole in the bedframe. Use the nut and a wrench to tighten the bolt into place. Repeat for other post.