I have been headboard shopping for a while it and it can be hard to find just what you want. It can be even harder to shell out all those big bucks when you do! That is why I love the idea to make your own headboard. I am so glad to share with you this headboard diy project that can both be customized to fit your decor and save you some money! I got the idea for this from Home & Family and I have been given permission from them to print a tutorial for Ken Wingard‘s DIY upholstered headboard. This cheap DIY headboard project will only cost you about $90 and take about 4 hours! Home & Family airs weekdays at 10 am on the Hallmark Channel. You can click the link to see episodes and clips.
DIY Upholstered Headboard Project Tutorial
H&F Photo Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media Family Networks/Photographer: Jeremy Lee
This DIY headboard is the kind that uses padding and fabric to create an upholstered look that is soft and comfortable to lean back against. I love the soft, cushy padded headboard look and it can be customized with any fabric to match your existing color scheme.
DIY Headboard Supplies:
- 2 sheets of 4×8 plywood
- 2 sheets of rigid insulation foam 2″ thick
- Adhesive (like Liquid Nails)
- Cotton drop cloth (or fabric of choice)
- Staple gun
- Upholstery tacks
- Bread knife
- Quilted Batting
- French Cleat For Mounting (optional)
Directions for Creating the Headboard DIY Base:
- To make a queen headboard you will need a full 4 x 8 sheet and cut it down to 60″. Then you can either keep it simple and rectangular or do what he did and use a trashcan and a bucket to trace a fancy outline on to the plywood and cut it out with a jig saw.
- Use adhesive to attach the insulation foam to cover the plywood and allow to sit and bond.
- Trace the already cut headboard and use a small saw or bread knife to cut foam down to match the shape of the plywood headboard.
- Lay the headboard down foam first on quilted batting. Pull the batting tight and cover the entire headboard using a staple gun to secure the batting to the backside (the plywood side.)
- Make sure corners are nice and tightly stapled. You can cut off the excess batting.
Directions for DIY Headboard Upholstery:
Ken used a cotton drop cloth to get the rough, natural European Linen look that is so popular.
- The first step in upholstering the headboard is to iron your drop cloth (or fabric of choice).
- Lay headboard face down (batting first) on the cloth.
- Pull drop cloth around headboard so it is all covered and staple in place.
- Again make sure corners are nice and tight when stapling. Trim excess cloth.
- Secure around edges of bed with upholstery tacks giving it an extra stylish studded look.
Watch the video here
This cheap DIY headboard looks like a very expensive one you might find at retailers such as Pottery Barn. Do you think you will try this headboard diy project? I’d love to see your results- tag me @familyfocusblog I love how you can always repurpose the headboard to match any decor changes too!
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Nicole B. says
I need to make something like this for our guest bed. It doesn’t have a head board and it would look so much more decorated in that room if it did. Thanks for posting about this diy!
Sharon Ballantine says
This can be a fun project for your budding designer, or that you can do with your kids, depending on their ages and interest levels of course. Kids of any age can choose fabrics and colors. By working on the project together you are creating great family memories and helping to inspire their creativity.
Corina Ramos says
I love this. I might try this for my son’s bed. Thanks for showing us how it’s done.
Nicole says
How do you attach to the wall/ bed when it’s done?
Scarlet says
You can attach it to the wall using a cleat or zclips. Here is a youtube video with some good tips for how to mount your bed frame on the wall https://youtu.be/Dnch7FTDR9Q