How to Make a Padded Head Board
A headboard serves as a focal point for the bedroom. Changing the headboard instantly changes the look of the room. But new bedroom furniture can be expensive. Instead of buying a new bed, you can make a padded fabric headboard for a fraction of the cost of new furniture. Choose a floral chintz fabric for a country look, red velvet for an elegant boudoir or dark brown faux suede for a masculine bedroom. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- ¼ inch plywood
- Quilt batting
- Spray adhesive
- Fabric
- Staple gun and ¼ inch staples
- Fabric covered button kit
- Hot glue gun
- Four metal L brackets
Instructions
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1
Cut the base of your headboard from plywood. Start with a rectangle as high as you want above the bed, then round the corners slightly. Or you could make a circular or half-circle headboard. This technique works for any shape you'd like.
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2
Spray adhesive to the plywood and wrap in quilt batting. Make sure the batting extends at least six inches beyond the plywood on the top and sides. Use the thickest batting you can find, or use two layers of batting.
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3
Lay fabric on top of the batting. If possible, use a seamless piece of fabric, such as a sheet or even a bedspread or tablecloth. You can also use upholstery or drapery fabric, which comes in extra wide widths. The fabric should extend at least eight inches beyond the plywood at the top and bottom.
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4
Turn over the plywood so that the fabric side is facing down. This is easier to do if you have someone to help. Pull the fabric taut all around. Staple the fabric to the plywood. Fold the fabric under as you staple to form a hem and make sure all the batting is tucked in. Cut away any excess batting if necessary. Place several staples at intervals on all sides, then go back and staple every few inches, pulling the fabric taut at all times.
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5
Flip the headboard back over. For a tufted look, insert staples about a foot apart all over the headboard.
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6
Follow the package directions for making the covered buttons. Use hot glue to fasten a button over each staple on the front of your handmade headboard.
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7
Attach headboard to the bed using L brackets.
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Tips & Warnings
You can cover the buttons in contrasting fabric.
