DIY Upholstered Headboard

decor & DIY

When I was growing up, my parents owned an upholstery shop, so I realize that phrases like "DIY upholstered headboard" may be a little less frightening to me than to normal people. But I promise you, even if you have never picked up a staple gun in your entire life, you can totally do this. It really is that easy.

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

And, like anything that uses fabric, it's totally customizable, so you can make it in any color, and any pattern, to fit practically any room out there. That's why fabric crafts are some of my favorites. You can create the perfect bedroom design. And if you want to get really fancy, you can use some buttons and make a tufted headboard, but for this tutorial, we'll start as simple as it gets, with just a plain, padded, upholstered headboard.

Supplies for a DIY Upholstered Headboard

  • Piece of plywood cut to your desired headboard dimensions {if you're not sure what size you want, here is an amazing guide to headboard sizes from Remodelaholic}
  • A piece of fabric approximately 8" larger all around than your plywood - I recommend using upholstery- or decorator-weight fabric
  • A piece of batting approximately the same size as your fabric
  • Spray adhesive
  • Staple gun - no need to get fancy, I got one similar to this for less than $15 at Lowe's
  • Staples
  • Heavy-duty picture hangers {optional}

Making Your DIY Upholstered Headboard

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

Begin by laying your batting out on a large, flat surface. Spray your plywood thoroughly with the spray adhesive and lay it sticky-side-down in the middle of your batting. Spray the back edges of your plywood and wrap the batting around, securing it on the back side of the plywood.

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

Take a quick look at your batting-covered plywood to make sure there aren't any funky spots.

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

Next, iron your fabric and lay it out face-down on a large, flat surface. Center your batting-covered plywood face-down onto the fabric, making sure that there is about 3" - 4" of excess fabric all around. Trim your fabric if necessary.

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

Starting along one of the long edges, fold your fabric around to the back and begin stapling the fabric to the back of the plywood. Be sure you don't pull the fabric too tightly, or it will bunch up along the edges. Staple fabric down both long edges.

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

To finish the headboard, just fold and wrap the fabric on the short edges like you are wrapping a present, and staple down.

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

Turn your finished headboard over and check to make sure you don't have any wonky or bunchy spots. If you do, just smooth the fabric down around the back and staple it.

Making a DIY upholstered headboard really is easy -- even if you've never touched a staple gun in your life!

You are all done! If you decide to hang your headboard on the wall, attach some heavy-duty picture hangers and be sure to hang the headboard using wall studs or anchors that are appropriate for the weight.

Have you ever upholstered anything, or are you too intimidated? What colors would you use for your own homemade upholstered headboard?

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Hi, I’m Jenn. I’m a freelance writer and editor who lives in central Pennsylvania with my husband and three boys. Yeah. That’s a lot of testosterone in one house. I love decorating, DIYing, crafting, baking, and cooking, and I’m constantly scouring everything I see for inspiration. My ideas can come from anywhere: Pinterest, books, magazines, stores, TV shows, websites, other blogs, other people’s homes, nature. You name it, and I’ve gotten an idea from it. {Literally. I selected the color scheme for our family room from a pocket pack of tissues. Totally not making that up.} I hope to teach others that, if you really pay attention to the world around you, you can get inspiration from anything! I love to hear from readers, so be sure to leave me a comment! Or, if you’d prefer to email me, you can do that too — just visit my contact form. Thanks for stopping by!

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