How To Make the Easiest DIY Upholstered Headboard

As a do-it-yourself enthusiast, most of my time is spent on minor projects around my home, that require me to be hands-on.

Barely any skill set is needed for some of the crafts I take on such as decorating and repairing. With the right tools and a set of instructions, if at all any is needed, you are good to go.

I find it very fulfilling looking around both the interior and exterior spaces of my home and seeing the small but numerous projects I have worked on myself.

Nowadays, it warms my heart to see that my children are also gradually taking after me. From watching me use typical and readily available items to create functional things, their liking for do-it-yourself projects has massively grown.

Nowadays, they have been lending me a hand in all my projects. The most recent one was giving a face-lift to our bedrooms.

The most interesting and engaging bit of the bedroom revamp was the creation of upholstered headboards.

Upholstered Headboards

Since headboards are not an essential part of the bed, some of us hardly know what they are and what purpose they serve.

This piece of furniture is situated at the head of the bed. For the headboard to be located at the bed’s top end, it can either be attached to the wall or directly fixed to the bed’s frame.

Alternatively, the headboard can be entirely detached and operate independently of both the bed and wall.

Conventionally, headboards were used to prevent people from the cold that emanates from stone walls.

But nowadays, cold is not an issue to worry about as there are other measures put in place to ensure that rooms are properly heated. 

Consequently, in modern times, headboards are more of a decorative element than a functional one.

They elevate the elegance of a bedroom since there are multiple ways that they can be created, to embellish the room.

For instance, the headboard can be padded and covered in fabric. As such, it will be termed as an upholstered headboard.

How Can You Create a Simple Upholstered Headboard?

Below are the steps that you will follow when creating an upholstered headboard. You will be surprised at how easy it is:

Step 1: Collect the necessary materials and gadgets

You will need:

1. An exquisite piece of fabric will be the cover.
2. A white sheeting
3. Quilt batting
4. Jigsaw
5. Electric staple gun
6. Sandpaper
7. Tape measure
8. Upholstery foam
9. Screws and a screwdriver
10. Plywood
11. Power drill

For most of these materials, the quantity required is dependent on the size of the bed and the dimensions of the headboard you wish to create.

Step 2: Determine the shape and dimensions

The width of the headboard should be equal to the width of the bed. You will therefore use the bed’s width as your basis.

Also, determine how high the headboard will be. Take into account the section of the headboard that will be covered by the density of the mattress and the bulk of the pillows.

Therefore, ensure that the headboard is high enough for a large portion of it to be exposed. 

Once the dimensions have been settled, then decide on the shape of the headboard. It can be rectangular, square, or arched. If anything, it can assume any shape that you like.

Keep in mind that you are creating a customized headboard that is aligned with your preferences. Do not shy away from implementing any shape that you have in mind, as crazy as it may seem. 

Step 3: For the legs and headboard, cut the wood accordingly

You can cut the wood yourself while at home or request help from someone with carpentry expertise.

All you have to do is provide them with the measurements and the shape you need. Extra attention should be paid when cutting out shapes and curving, for accuracy.

The main equipment for this step will be the jigsaw and to even out the edges, sandpaper will be used.

Step 4: Use the quilt batting and foam to cover the wood

Cut the foam according to the predetermined measurement and ensure that an extra inch is added all around.

Place it above the frame and staple the extra piece against the back of the frame. The batting is then laid above the foam and also stapled to the back of the frame.

Step 5: Place the white sheeting above the headboard

This sheeting is also attached to the board using the staple gun. It secured the foam and batting underneath, making it trouble-free if the decorative fabric above required to be changed.

Step 6: Attach your exquisite fabric

Cut the fabric based on the board’s shape and size but add an extra 4 inches all around. Lay it above the board and ensure that it covers a substantial portion of the back of the board as well.

Before stapling it, ensure that the patterns are centered as you would like and the front is smooth, without any folds.

Once all the areas are neat, staple the fabric in multiple places at the back, to ensure that the fabric remains intact.

Step 7: Fix the legs and attach the headboard to the wall or bed

The legs can be covered using decorative fabric or just plain linen. Carefully drill into both the wall and legs of the headboard and bind them using screws.

Alternatively, you can drill into the bed’s frame and attach the frame to the headboard instead of the wall.

With only these seven simple steps, you have a complete upholstered headboard, all done by yourself. Can it get any easier?