How to Make Upholstered Headboards
Save money and spice up the décor in your bedroom by making a custom upholstered headboard. Purchase upholstery fabric at your local specialty fabric store, or from an online retailer. Have the plywood cut to size when you purchase it at your local lumber store. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Saw
- Plywood (1/2 inch thick)
- Measuring tape
- Batting
- Upholstery fabric
- Scissors
- Spray glue
- Staple gun
Instructions
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Cut your plywood to the dimensions of your headboard. Add 12 inches to the width of your bed; your headboard should extend 6 inches beyond either side of the mattress. To make a king-size headboard that's 3 feet high, cut a piece of plywood that's 88 inches wide and 36 inches tall. For a queen-size headboard, the board should be 72 by 36 inches. For a full-size headboard, cut a 66-by-26 inch piece of plywood. For a twin-size headboard, cut a 51-by-36 inch board. If you want your headboard to extend more than 6 inches on either side, cut your plywood board larger.
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Cut a section of upholstery fabric that's 2 feet longer than your headboard. Standard upholstery fabrics are 54 inches wide, which will work for any size headboard. Cut your fabric 112 inches long for a king-size headboard, 96 inches long for a queen-size headboard, 90 inches long for a full and 75 inches long for a twin headboard. Cut a section of batting the same size as the fabric. The batting does not need to be in a single piece; when the fabric is pulled over the batting, it will fit tight against the plywood.
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Lay your fabric face down on a flat surface. Spray adhesive around the perimeter. Lay the batting on top of the fabric. Spray the entire surface of the batting with adhesive. Center the plywood on top of the batting.
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Fold the fabric over the plywood and staple it so that it is taut. Begin in the center of one side and work your way around the perimeter of the plywood. Insert a staple every 2 inches, or so. When you get to the corners, fold one side over the other as if you were wrapping a present.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also secure the fabric to the plywood with duct tape.
Handle the staple gun with care.
