How to Make a Headboard Tufted

Tufted headboards are very luxurious.

Tufted headboards are the ultimate in luxury bed accessories. Their cushiony, buttoned-faces look elegant and inviting at the head of a bed. Like most things luxury, a commercially made tufted headboard comes at a price -- and don't even think about a custom-made one if money is an issue. But making your own tufted headboard is not a major job. You don't need to take upholstery lessons; if you know how to sew on a button and use a staple gun, then you'll have no trouble.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch plywood, 40 inches by 30 inches
• Yardstick or measuring tape
• Drill
• Upholstery needle
• 1-inch-thick hypoallergenic foam, 40 inches by 30 inches.
• Spray glue
• Batting, 50 inches by 40 inches
• Staple gun
• Scissors
• Heavy fabric, 50 inches by 40 inches
• Hammer
• Upholstery thread
• Covered buttons

Instructions

1. Divide the plywood sheet into three sections along its 30-inch side, ruling a line every 10 inches. Divide the 40-inch side into five, ruling a line every 8 inches. The crossing points of the lines indicate the places where the buttons go. Drill a hole through each crossing point, only wide enough to fit the upholstery needle through. These headboard dimensions fit a standard twin-size bed, so adjust if needed.

2. Spray the entire surface of one side of the plywood with the glue. Lay the foam on top of the glued plywood, with the edges flush.

3. Lay out your batting. Center the plywood, foam side down, over the batting. Pull the sides of the batting up and over the back of the plywood, stapling in place about 1 inch from the edge of the plywood. Work from the center of the sides outward, alternating sides with every couple of staples for an even pull on the batting. Trim off the excess.

4. Lay out your fabric, wrong side up. Center the plywood, batting side down, over the fabric. Staple the fabric to the back of the plywood in the same way as you did the batting. Check after the first couple of staples that the fabric is sitting right before proceeding with stapling. Trim any excess fabric off the back.

5. Hammer a staple halfway in, next to each drilled button hole on the back of the plywood.

6. Double-thread your upholstery needle. Tie the end of the thread to one of the half-hammered staples on the back of the plywood. Push the needle from the back, through the drilled hole, and out the face of the fabric headboard -- make sure the needle is straight. Thread on the button, with the needle going through one hole and out the other. Push the needle back through the fabric, batting and foam, and out the drilled hole in the back.

7. Pull the thread tightly backward, so the button creates a depression in the fabric and foam. When the button is at the depth you want it, keep the tension on the thread as you tie off the end to the staple. Hammer in the staple all the way, then put another couple of staples over the thread for good measure.

8. Repeat the process with the rest of the covered buttons and button holes until all the buttons are attached, and your tufted headboard is complete.

References

• Apartment Therapy: DIY Tufted Headboard