How to Make a Headboard

A headboard can really complete the look when decorating a bedroom. Unfortunately, it can also add a significant cost to your decorating budget. So, why not make your own headboard for a fraction of the cost? There are countless ways to make headboards. Read on for two simple ways to spruce up your bedroom with a homemade headboard.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden Ladder or Pegboard
• Foam pad or egg crate pad
• Staple Gun
• Needle and Thread (optional)
• Sewing Machine

Instructions

1. 

   Purchase an unfinished wood ladder (like the one in the picture) from a craft store such as Michael's or Hobby Lobby. The other option, that will give you a taller headboard, is to use a large pegboard, purchased from a hardware store. The headboard base should be cut a few inches longer than the width of the bed. You can cut it smaller if you have a single bed, or keep it the original width for a queen or king size bed.

2. 

   Cut a piece of two inch thick soft foam so that it's the same dimensions as the base. If you can't find foam, you can cut down an egg crate foam pad.

3. Lay the ladder, or pegboard, on the floor and place the foam over it. The longer sides will be the top and bottom of your headboard. You can round the the top corners of the foam or you can keep them square, if you prefer more contemporary-looking headboards.

4. 

   Use a staple gun to attach the foam to the ladder. It's best to staple the foam into the ladder's rungs. Use as few staples as possible. if you can get away with just four, that's best. The point is to staple in places that won't be obvious when you upholster the headboard.

5. There are two ways you can upholster the headboard. If you want a more sleek design follow steps 6- 9. If you want a more Shabby Chic feel skip ahead to step 10.

6. 

   **Contemporary Headboard** - Lay three yards of fabric flat on the floor. The printed side should be facing down.

7. Place the base in the center of the fabric. The foam side should be touching the material with the ladder or pegboard facing up.

8. Pull the fabric tightly around the base of the headboard and secure it using the staple gun. Use as many staples as you need to keep the fabric tight.

9. 

   You can add dimension to your headboard by using a needle and thread (or upholstered buttons) to make dimples. Do this by pulling a needle and thread (knotted at the end so it doesn't slip through the fabric) from the front of the headboard through to the backside. You can make as many dimples, and in any pattern, that you want.

10. *Shabby Chic** - This style works best with fabrics that have a little dimension to them. For instance, fabrics that look crinkly or wrinkled. Whatever you choose, get a piece of fabric that is 1.5 times the length of your headboard's base.

11. Fold the fabric in half so the two longer sides come together. Make sure the printed sides (or right sides) are together.

12. Sew a seem along the long edge so that the material is similar to a tunnel.

13. Turn the fabric right side out and lay it on the floor with the seem down.

14. Slide the base of your headboard into the fabric. Be sure the foam side is up. The foam should be on the opposite side from the seem.

15. The fabric should be hanging way over the sides of the headboard. Gather the fabric evenly across the width of the headboard.

16. Finish your homemade headboard by pulling the edges together and securing them to the back of the headboard's base with the staple gun.