How to Make an Upholstered Headboard

Making your own headboard is such a great project because it can be custom made to match the décor of any room. You are in complete control of color, fabric, shape and overall style. Here are steps to creating a headboard that screams "you!"

Things You'll Need

• ¼-inch plywood (if rectangular can usually be cut to size at a hardware store)
• 2-inch foam (if rectangular, can be cut to size at an upholstery store)
• Batting
• Upholstery fabric
• Kraft paper and Pencil
• Jigsaw
• Sandpaper
• Magic marker
• Staple Gun with ¼ -inch staples
• Tape measure
• Utility knife or Electric cutting knife
• Flush mounts

Instructions

1. Measure the size of your bed. The headboard should be a few inches wider than the mattress. To determine width, determine the function of your headboard. Will it be purely aesthetic or will it serve as a cushion while you read or watch TV? If the latter is the case, you'll want to make sure that your head doesn't clear the top of the headboard and can rest comfortably.

2. Draw a template of the shape you want onto the Kraft paper. Cut it out and tape it to the wall (using painters tape) to see if you like it. Once you settle on a design, trace the template onto the plywood.

3. Cut plywood using jigsaw.

4. Sand any rough edges.

5. Lay foam on the ground and place the plywood template on top of the foam. Trace the shape of the plywood using a magic marker. Use a utility knife (or for thicker foam, an electric cutting knife) to cut out the shape.

6. Cut batting and fabric the shape of the headboard. Make sure that at least 6 inches hangs over the side of the cut plywood.

7. Iron upholstery fabric.

8. On a clean surface, lay the fabric frontside down.

9. Place the batting on top of the fabric (both the batting and the fabric should be the same size).

10. Place foam on top of the batting

11. Place plywood on top of the foam (you should now have four layers: fabric, batting, foam and plywood).

12. Attach the batting and fabric to the back of the plywood using the staple gun. Start by stapling the center of two opposing sides and flip it over to make sure the fabric is centered properly. If so, continue to staple fabric to plywood every two inches. (If not, remove staples and try again.)

13. To attach to the wall, use the flush mounts. Attach the bottom parts of the mounts, facing up, to studs in the wall behind where the headboard will be located (as wide as possible within the width of the headboard). Lean the headboard against the wall to determine the location of the top flush mounts. Mark the location and drill it into place (facing down). Attach it to the wall by sliding the mounts together so that they interlock.

Tips & Warnings

• To get inspired, resource your favorite magazines, architecture books and catalogs.

• If you are a beginner DIYer, you may want to stick to rectangular shapes. For the adventurous, add graceful curves or intricate details.

• Be sure that the fabric you choose doesn't compete with the other patterns in the room such as wallpaper, linens and curtains.