How to Make an Upholstered Headboard

Do you love the finished look that a headboard gives a bedroom? Here is a quick, easy inexpensive way to make an upholstered headboard with just a few tools and some creativity!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tape Measure
• Plywood
• Saw
• Upholstery foam
• Batting
• Staple gun
• Fabric
• Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive

1. Measure twice, cut once - right? To make your basic rectangular headboard, measure the width of your mattress across the top. Then decide how high you would like your headboard to go. Keep in mind how much will be showing once you prop up pillows or if you have anything that you will want to hang on the wall above it once it is completed.
2. Purchase your basic plywood at your local hardware store. If needed, they can cut it to your specific measurements for you. Make sure you have those written down just in case!
3. If you want the headboard to be higher, drill or nail in sections of 2x4's to act as "legs." This will enable you to make the headboard any desired height.
4. Attach the upholstery foam which can be purchased at most retail fabric stores. Lay it on top of the plywood and cut it to size. Then, using a heavy duty spray adhesive in a well ventilated area, spray both foam and plywood and attach.
5. Add batting on top of foam. Batting can also be purchased at most retail fabric stores and they come in larger sheet sizes (twin, queen, etc.) Cut your batting to size, making it about 4-6 inches longer on all sides. Wrap the batting over the plywood and foam, and staple gun it in place on the back of the headboard. Make sure this is done nice and snug.
6. Add fabric on top of batting. A heavier decorator fabric works best. If fabric needs to be ironed, do this first so that there are no wrinkles on the finished headboard. Cut the fabric to size, again leaving 4-6 inches all the way around. Beginning at the very top in the middle, warp the fabric around the headboard and staple it to the back with your staple gun. Continue doing this all the way around, pulling the fabric snug and making sure it looks even from the front. Tuck the fabric around the corners so the fabric doesn't look bunched from the front.
7. There is no need to attach it to a wall. Just place the headboard behind your bed firmly next to the wall and move the mattress snugly up against it. You are done! Stand back and admire your work. Enjoy your new headboard!

Tips & Warnings

• Tufting can be easily added to your upholstered headboard by simply nailing through and hot gluing on a covered button! Covered button kits are found at fabric stores or even Wal-Mart!
• Try to avoid fabrics with center patterns. This can get tricky to staple, especially if you are doing this on your own!