DIY Custom Upholstered Headboard

A while back I shared with you that my husband Ryan and I created a custom upholstered headboard for our bed.  For today's "tutorial" I thought I would share the idea and process behind it.  If you are strapped on budget, want a sophisticated bedroom, and aren't afraid of a little DIY, then making a head board of your own is a fantastic option!

I like to give credit where credit is due, so I will not be writing up the full instructions.  Rather, for a more in-depth look, visit the fabulous blog that inspired this DIY in our household, Centsational Girl (See tutorial here, and questions answered here).  I also watched Design Sponge's informative youtube video, as well as Tiffany Mayer Designs' video, just to get more of a visual before we started.

For our particular headboard, I bought the Everyday Velvet fabric by the yard from Pottery Barn.  We also used nailhead trim to give the headboard a decorative border.  I have to say, it wasn't quite the look I was intending.  So, think really hard about what kind of fabric you would like to use, order samples, etc.  I'm an impatient type of person, and just ordered a couple of yards hoping it would work out.  Which it did, but you know.  

Materials:

• 1.5 inch thick plywood cut to specifications (make sure to go a couple inches longer than your mattress size on each side)
• Fabric of choice that is railroaded (meaning it can be run horizontally) to cover the entire headboard with at least 6 inches to spare on each side.  
• Foam for cushion (we used two inch)
• Batting
• Staple gun and staples
• Nailhead trim kit
• Rubber mallet
• Interlocking brackets for wall hanging 

In total, this project cost around $200.  

I also have to say, my husband really did the brunt of the work.  I like to consider us like an HGTV show.  I'm the designer and he's like, the handsome carpenter.  I drew out on paper the design I wanted, and then drew it onto the headboard as best as I could, trying to work in a little math.  Ryan then took to the jigsaw and cut away.  The shape wasn't great, and as Ryan pointed out, it looked more like a camaro than a porsche, so I made some corrections on the plywood, and Ryan cut away at it again.  Don't be afraid to make a mistake, as you can always readjust.  If you don't want the hassle of trying to figure out a design, just utilize the plywood as is.  Rectangular headboards are just as nice with ones with a shape.

 

Project Summary:

1. Cut the Plywood with a jigsaw.
2. Cut foam to shape of plywood (we just used scissors).
3. Glue foam to plywood with a spray adhesive.
4. Attach batting to headboard over plywood and foam with a staple gun.
5. Attach fabric to the headboard with a staple gun.  (It get's tricky towards the middle, so you may have to cut into some of the fabric to get it to mold over the shape of your headboard properly.)
6. Apply nailhead trim with a rubber mallet.  You can also use a hammer.
7. Attach interlocking brackets to back of headboard and to the wall.
8. Hang and enjoy!

Sounds pretty simple right?  For the most part it is, but it takes some time, and some precision.  In the end, you will have a designer looking bed without having to spend designer bucks.  Win, win, right?  What do you think?  Is this something you would be willing to try?