How to Make a Fabric Padded Headboard

When choosing fabric for your headboard, select a heavier material for durability and easy cleaning.

Nothing will finish off a stylish bedroom quite like a matching headboard. You can easily coordinate the colors and patterns of bedspreads, curtains, pillows and carpet to create a matching headboard. By making your own headboard, you not only save money, but you can customize it. By using thick foam, your padded headboard will make your bed a comfortable spot for sitting up and watching TV, reading or getting in some late-night work.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pre-cut plywood, 1/2 or 1/4 inch thick
• Sand paper, coarse grit and fine grit
• 2-inch-thick foam, sized to your headboard
• Electric knife or utility knife
• Scissors
• Fiberfill or batting
• Fabric
• Iron
• Staple gun
• Pencil
• Level
• Stud finder
• 2 flush mounts with screws
• Drill

Instructions

1. Measure the width of your mattress. Add 4 inches to the measurement so the headboard extends 2 inches on either side of your bed. Determine how high you need your headboard to be, and measure accordingly. Purchase plywood pre-cut to your measurements. Sand the plywood, first with coarse grit sandpaper and then a finer grit to remove any rough edges and smooth any coarse surfaces.

2. Cut the foam to match the size of the plywood using an electric knife or utility knife. Cut the fiberfill to 12 inches longer than your plywood on each side. Cut your material using the same measurements as the fiberfill.

3. Iron the fabric. Lay the fabric flat with the nice side facing down. Place the fiberfill over the material evenly. Center the foam on top of the fabric and fiberfill. Lay the plywood over the foam so that the edges match up.

4. Pull the fabric and fiberfill over the side of the plywood at one corner. Pull it tight, fold the fabric and fiberfill over and staple it in place. Repeat on all corners. Turn the headboard over to examine the appearance before continuing; make sure everything is straight and there are no folds in the fabric. Flip it back over and continue stapling along the edges, making sure to fold the fabric over and pull it tight.

5. Find the studs behind your bed using a stud finder. Mark the outermost stud on each side based on the width of your headboard, using a pencil. Use a level to make sure each mark is the same height. Screw in the bottom flush mount to each stud. Place your headboard against the wall in the precise position you want it. Lean it forward from the top and mark the location of the flush mounts on the plywood. Screw the top of the flush mounts to the back of your headboard. Slide the headboard into place on the wall by matching the flush mounts.

Tips & Warnings

• Thicker plywood will add stability to the headboard.

• If you plan to use your headboard to rest against, make sure you place it high enough to accommodate your head.

References

• Furniture and Design Ideas: Make Upholstered Headboard