How To Upholster A Headboard
After a bunch of people wrote to us asking how we upholstered the green headboard in our guest bedroom…
… we thought we’d invite you to join us for a quick tutorial. And since John’s sister Emily was itching to make a pink headboard for her daughter Olivia’s bedroom, we got to show her how simple the process can be as well. And don’t be nervous, it’s truly a super easy undertaking. If you can wrap a present, you can upholster a headboard. Honest.
First, visit an art store and purchase a wooden frame that’s meant to stretch canvas. A craft store won’t carry these, but any true art store will. As for the size, you should aim for the exact width of the bed but the height is up to you (you can use painter’s tape on the wall to experiment until you find a height that you like). You’ll also need enough fabric to cover the canvas frame with a few inches to spare, the same amount of batting (the thickness is up to you- the plusher the batting, the plusher the headboard). Then all you need is a regular old scissors and a staple gun (you can purchase a manual one for about $12 at Lowe’s) and you’re ready to roll. *Note: You can substitute a piece of plywood for the canvas frame if you’re looking to create a headboard that’s extremely durable (ie: for people who lean against it all the time to read or for a boisterous child’s room) – it will be stiffer, heavier and a bit trickier to hang, but virtually indestructible.
Step 1: Cut your batting a few inches larger than the frame, wrap it around the back of the frame and staple it in place. I like stapling things at twelve o’clock, three o’clock, six o’clock and nine o’clock first to keep things tight and straight (sometimes starting at one end and working your way around can cause it to slowly shift or loosen, and you want a straight, tight fit). Continue to staple the batting around the frame every two to three inches until you’ve worked your way around the frame and the batting is snug and secure.
Step 2: Cut the fabric a few inches larger than the frame and follow the same stapling steps outlined above. Be sure that your fabric is straight if it has any sort of pattern (line it up carefully and be sure to check for any shifting as you go). When it comes to the corners, just treat them as if you’re wrapping a present and fold them over so that they have a seamless look from the front. (Note: staples can be easily removed, so if you need a do-over or two it’s no biggie).
Step 3: Hanging this type of headboard is easy-peasy since it’s super light (thanks to the canvas frame construction) so it’s just like hanging a picture frame. All it calls for are two nails placed on the wall for the frame to hook over. Using a level can insure that your headboard hangs straight- and look how cute this step can be. Adorable.
Step 4: Enjoy your swank new headboard. Olivia loves her plush pink palace and the polka dot headboard is the perfect punch of personality (say that three times fast).
So there you have it, headboard upholstery 101. And here’s a bonus fabric tip for ya: visit the fancy fabric store in your neighborhood. Every town has one (it’s where the interior designers go) and in Richmond it’s called Willaims & Sherrill. This may seem like a surprising suggestion from bargain hunters like us, but you can often find fabulous deals in the remnant section of the store. There’s usually a table full of remnants (leftover pieces of fabric that have been marked down dramatically)- and most are still one to two yards, which is more than enough fabric for this project.
In this instance, Emily and I snatched up two yards of this thick woven swiss dot fabric (originally $24/yard) for around $19 total. Score.
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Comments
This is the best blog! I am going to try and make this headboard but I have a question. Since I love to sit up in bed and read and I would be leaning against the headboard, do you think the batting will keep its shape?
Hey Jane,
If you use pretty thick batting and staple it a ton around the edges (not just a few times each side) it should have some pretty great resistance. Maybe you can even use two layers of batting for even more strength. Then as long as you lean up against pillows so it’s not just your body pressing directly into the headboard all the time you’ll probably be just fine, even over time. If you’re still doubtful you can use a piece of plywood instead of the canvas frame, which would definitely not have any sagging issues. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I recently found your blog, and I’m going through some of your older posts to get *great* ideas on making some DIY upgrades to my condo. I love this idea for the spare bedroom!!! Thanks!
So so cute. Thanks for the tips! Whats the best way to hang a headboard if you’re making it out of plywood? I think I’m going to go that route!
Hey Katie,
If you scroll back through the comments I think you’ll see some more descriptions on that very subject. It’s called a “cleat” so you might want to google it to get more images and info. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Hi – I just saw this on AT and I LOVE the hot pink throw on the bed! Do you think you could find out where that is from, pretty please. Thanks a million!
This weekend my boyfriend and I are moving my parents old guest bedroom bed into our spare room. My parents want to give us their old squeeky brass headboard which is definately not our style! I can’t wait to make this headboard! Thanks for the directions.
I swear your blog covers every topic I ever look up! Thanks for such a helpful, and fun, resource!
I will be giving my daughter a big girl room sooner than I’m ready; and love the idea of a custom headboard. I will be buying her a full bed and mattress as well. Do I just need a basic frame if I’m making my own headboard? Suggestions on places for cheap ones since it won’t be seen?
Also, completely random, but the bedding I’ve had saved for two years is that french poodle on a vespa bedding that is in your neice’s room! I spotted it on overstock and had to have it. Do you have more pics of her room with that bedding? (I think it’s since been changed.)
We would look on craigslist or even at thrift stores for a cheap bed frame and if that doesn’t turn anything up a mattress store like Sleepy’s should sell them for around $29-49. Hope it helps! And it’s so cute that you picked up the same bedding that Olivia had in her bedroom- unfortunately we don’t have other pics of her room with that bedding for ya.
xo,
s
just followed your tutorial, but instead of a frame or plywood, i used pegboard (you know, with the grid of holes already drilled). hanging it is simple–thanks to all the holes, there’s no need to add a bracket as is necessary for plywood–and tufting will be easy also. i don’t even have to use buttons on the front (just a cross-stitch to tuft it down) but i’ll put buttons on the back, to brace against the holes. simple and awesome, and definitely a project i will repeat in the future. breaking in the staple gun was fun, too. =)
I’m thinking of using pink foamboard from Home Depot to make a headboard. It comes in a 4×8 sheet in 2 different thicknesses. Lightweight!
I cam across your blog by accident – and absolutely love it –
I recently moved on my own – and can’t wait to create this head board !
thanks xx