How to Upholster a Fabric Headboard
Updating a fabric headboard is much easier than you might think. Fabric stores have tons of adorable upholstery fabric selections. Choose one that you love and get busy. You can learn to re upholster a fabric headboard and be finished in as little as a few hours. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric headboard
- Upholstery fabric
- Staple gun
- Padding (optional)
- Upholstery tacks (optional)
Instructions
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1
Inspect your fabric headboard to see how the edges of the fabric are sealed. Is the fabric wrapped around the back, or is there a frame in front of it? Are there upholstery tacks that need to be removed? Are they covered in fabric? Make a mental note or even a sketch about how the fabric headboard is constructed, so that you can reassemble it later.
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2
Carefully remove all of the upholstery tacks without bending them, if you plan to reuse them. You'll also need to remove the front frame, if there is one.
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3
Remove the existing upholstery fabric by prying the staples off with a flathead screwdriver. Avoid ripping the fabric off. Wear protective eyewear when you're removing the staples, so they don't fly into your face.
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4
Evaluate the condition of the padding. If it is showing signs of wear you might want to replace it. Usually, the padding will not need to be replaced, but if the original upholstery fabric has been ripped, the padding might be damaged.
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5
Lay the original upholstery fabric on the backside of the new upholstery fabric and trace with a piece of chalk. Cut the fabric out.
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6
Use your staple gun to replace first the padding (if necessary) and then the upholstery fabric.
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7
Lay the old headboard fabric on top of the newly upholstered headboard and use it as a stencil to make little chalk dots where the upholstery tacks should go. You could also use a yardstick. When you're pleased with the arrangement of the spots, place an upholstery tack in each one. You might want to use a hammer to be sure they're in all the way.
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8
Replace the front frame, if there was one. Consider repainting or refinishing it for a whole new look.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose an upholstery fabric that will work with the room you have and with the room you want, so that it doesn't have to be changed again in the future. If you are in the habit of changing your comforter with the seasons, be sure that the upholstery fabric you select will go with both styles.
Protective eye wear is a must when you're removing staples. Use sunglasses if you don't have safety goggles.
