How to Make a Fabric-Covered Headboard
If you want the look of an expensive headboard without spending the money, this is a relatively simple way to make a fabric covered headboard. This project will give a finished look to any bedroom, and the fabric can be changed over the years to go with any decor. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 3/4" Plywood sheet or foam boards
- Measuring Tape
- Staple Gun
- Batting
- Fabric
- Glue Gun
- Hammer and Nails
- Fabric Covered Buttons or Furniture Tacks(optional)
- Pencil and String
- Jigsaw or Craft Knife (depends whether you use plywood or foam board)
Instructions
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First find an inspiration piece. Look through decorating magazines or search the internet for styles and designs that interest you. Think about the shape of the head board, the type of fabric you would like to use, and the scale you want to achieve. For a small room with limited wall space you will not want to build a large, overstuffed headboard. Keep it in scale with the rest of the furniture in the room. Unless you fall in love with a floral pattern, consider simple or classic color schemes like solids of stripes. If you want to go with a pattern but still want to have future design options, choose a muted paisley or toile pattern. Waverly fabrics and wallpapers are a great example of these types of designs. You can get some ideas at www.waverly.com. Another way to create interest without committing to a bold color scheme is to experiment with different textures and materials. For example, a sold color can be boring in a regular matte fabric, but that same color in a plush or shiny fabric will pop right off the wall. Note: be sure to have enough fabric to cover the entire headboard. You should have an idea of what you are going to create before you purchase the fabric.
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The first step is to cut the plywood to the shape you desire. A square headboard is easiest, you need only measure height and width of the bed, but most designs include curves or arcs. There is a simple way to trace these designs onto the wood. Let's say you want a single arch top headboard. Measure the width of the bed, and cut the plywood in that dimension. Next, lean the headboard against the wall behind the bed so you can get an accurate view of the proportions. Draw a rough sketch of the arch on the wood with a pencil or pen. Stand back and make any adjustments until you are happy with the basic design.
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Now remove the wood from behind the bed and lay flat. Find the approximate peak of the arch and measure the center of the wood by dividing the width in half. Use a T-square to make a line straight across through this mark. Measure again, using this line to make sure your tape measure is straight. Once you have marked the center, move on to the next step.
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Tie one end of a piece of string to a pencil near the bottom and the other end to the top of a nail. Have someone help you by holding the nail steady and move the pencil around the nail in an arch. Experiment with the position of the nail until you find a length that gives you the arch you are looking for. Draw the arch in its final position. If you are happy with the outcome, move on to the next step. For a multiple arch design, use the same method to create smaller circles. To make sure both sides match, trace the design on a large piece of paper, fold paper in half, then cut out design. Trace the symmetrical design onto the wood.
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When you are ready to cut, use a circular saw or jigsaw to cut out the pattern. Now you are ready to add the batting. How much batting you use is determined by how much padding you want your headboard to have. Note that the batting will deflate slightly once the fabric is added, but not much. Staple the batting onto the headboard to the desired thickness.
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Next, measure your fabric to cover the headboard and add 2-3" all the way around so the fabric can be stretched around the back and stapled to the plywood. You don't really need to cut the fabric until you are done attaching it.
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Lay the fabric, face down, on the floor and place the headboard (batting side down) on top of it. Choose a place to start (the bottom or flat side is usually best), and pull the fabric tight against the edge of the board, wrapping it around to be stapled on the back. Work back and forth, stapling one at the top, one on the bottom, then left and right, etc., pulling the fabric tight and stapling it to the wood. Once the fabric is secured with a few staples you can flip the headboard over to see how you are doing. If you find a crease or your fabric design is crooked, remove the staples and fix that area. When completed, you can cut off extra fabric if you wish. Attach the headboard to the wall behind bed and you are finished!
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Classic Waverly Toile Pattern (www.housefabric.com)
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Gorgeous Red Paisley Design (www.housefabric.com)
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Example of a fabric button "dimple".
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Metal on black...a nice combination for a chic and modern bedroom.
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Tips & Warnings
VARIATIONS:
Use lightweight foam board instead of plywood. It can be cut with a knife or craft blade, is inexpensive, and can be attached to the wall with Velcro strips.
Add brass furniture tacks or fabric covered buttons to headboard to create a design or to add texture. Furniture tacks can be nailed in, buttons can be attached by first shooting a staple into the batting underneath the spot where you would like to place the button. This will give you the "dimpled" effect in the fabric. Then just use your hot glue gun to attach the buttons.
To use different fabrics in a striped pattern, make several small vertical "mini" headboards and cover them with alternating or coordinating fabrics. Attach them to the wall touching each other so they look like one piece. (Imagine the vertical slats of a picket fence).
Create designs under the fabric by rolling the batting and attaching the rolled pieces along the edge of the headboard. Define the roll once the fabric is attached by adding a ribbon or a piece of braided cord along the edge of the roll.
Most of all, have fun and be creative!
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.ruffell-brown.com/products_upholstery_headboards.html
