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How To Make A Patterned Fabric Headboard

When Karen sent us the DIY headboard that she whipped up, we couldn’t wait to share her amazing results. Here’s her letter:

I just wanted to show you how I used your tutorial to make a headboard for our bed. The only difference was that I used 1 X 2’s cut to size from my home improvement store (I attached them with L brackets which only cost me $5!). I did use designer fabric by Patricia Bravo but I got a great deal on that on Etsy so the whole project was really affordable. Thanks for the tips! As you see our Min Pin likes it too! -Karen

Headboard RR Tutorial

Headboard RR How To Make

Didn’t Karen do a great job? We love that she used such a pretty pattern to add ambiance and interest to her bedroom. And the fact that she paired it with such lively and lovely pillows (which she picked up on the cheap thanks to Etsy) really is the icing on the cake. And while we’re on the subject of eye-pleasing arrangements, isn’t her pooch the ultimate accessory? He really makes that DIY headboard pop.

Psst- Looking to make your own homemade headboard. Here’s our super simple tutorial (seriously, if you can wrap a present you can upholster a headboard).

Comments

  4. mary s says

    Wow, looks great! I have a burning question – what to do ti the bed is a quarter under a window and 75% under the wall? I don’t want to cut out the window at all with the headboard! Any ideas, anyone???

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Mary S,

      We would probably cheat the curtain rod way over so it looks centered above the bed and hang curtains down so they look like a headboard. That way people won’t really notice the off centered window and you’ll have some nice punchy fabric above the bed. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  5. kitarita says

    So impressed and inspired–nice work! I am wondering one thing…I just posted this dilemma on my blog, but, when you have an upholstered headboard like this, what do you do for a bedframe? My husband is super opposed to a bed skirt, but I’m worried that just the metal bedframe will not look that great. Any ideas? Or do I have to convince him on the bed skirt?? :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, you could try to go without a bed skirt but we think you’ll probably want a more polished look so you might end up with one. Luckily they made fitted and crisp modern ones (they’re not ruffly at all) that your hubby might just like. Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  6. rosanna says

    I love how easy this project looks and the amazing results. I can’t help but imagine a floor to ceiling headboard made this way.

    Reply

  7. Adaena says

    Great job, Karen! I love that you used such colorful fabric and weren’t afraid to mix ‘n match colors. I too made a headboard from pieces of wood cut at the home improvement store–except after I purchased the lumber, I realized it would never fit in my little car. I always get excited about my homegoods and forget about transportation issues! Luckily, the folks at Lowe’s were kind enough to loan me some string to tie down my hatch.

    Here’s the link to my headboard, if you want to see another photo example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adaena/4043208038/in/set-72157622534743413/

    Reply

  8. sara says

    Question for Karen!

    Would you mind sharing the link to Etsy where you bought your pillows? I looooove them! :) Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Sonya says

    Awesome! Very inspiring! Great timing because I’m currently hunting for the perfect fabric to make my own guest room headboard. The only thing I’m still trying to work out is how I’m going to attach the headboard securely to the wall or to the bed frame to keep it from coming loose if my guests want to lean back on it while reading in bed. Would love to see what Karen did for her headboard to hold it secure.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Sonya,

      We’re guessing that Karen used large nails or screws (with anchors) to hold her framed headboard up on the wall- just as we did in our tutorial. Here’s hoping she pops by with that info, but in the meantime you can follow the link at the bottom of the post to see how we hung our DIY headboard. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  10. Carol N. says

    Love the amazing colors on the headboard as well as the pillows! I’m not as brave to mix my colors like that but it looks great. And love the min pin and his inquisitive ears!

    Reply

  11. Katie Lynn says

    I’m just loving Karen’s bed, in general! It looks so simple and comfy … Like you wouldn’t be afraid to jump right into it and mess it up. But it’s beautiful at the same time. :) Fantastic!

    Reply

  13. Lemon says

    To the poster who asked about hanging it – I used a door from Ikea’s As-Is section as a headboard. I just used a cleat hanger from the hardware store and some self-stick felt pads on the bottom corners to hang mine. Could probably use two cleats on something heavier. Worked like a charm.

    Reply

  16. Leah says

    Your Headboard tutorial got me started on DIY and now I’m seeing potential projects everywhere.

    I love my upholstered headboard, and I hung it on the wall using two picture hooks. I attached little frame loops to the headboard itself so they hang right on the hooks and the wall is protected.

    Reply

  17. Tiffany says

    I LOVE the headboard but am not a fan of the mix of pillows. It’s a little busy for my tastes. Pin Pin is a cutir though.

    Reply

  18. Jessica says

    The fabric of the pillow on the far right is from Amy Butler’s Daisy Chain collection for those of you wondering… I’ve been without a headboard for too long! I just may try this now. It looks great! I’ll send pictures if I end up making one. :)

    Reply

  23. Barb says

    Swooning here in Texas… that fabric is to die for! And, so is the cute little canine bed decoration!

    Great job!

    Reply

  25. Kylee says

    I absolutely love the fabric, but I hate to say that my eye immediately noticed that the fabric is not even at that top, which bugs an OCD type like me. When I made one I used a solid color to avoid this! ;)

    Reply

  26. krstn says

    Cool! We did the same thing a few years ago but I picked out a really tame brown fabric. Think I can just pick out a new fabric and cover the old?

    Reply

  27. Sonya says

    Lemon, thanks for the cleat hanger suggestion. Had never heard of a cleat hanger before, but that seems like a genius solution for hanging the headboard securely without having to worry that it will fall off of a nail or picture hanger. I was considering drilling holes though the bottom of the headboard and bolting it to the wall but sounds like the cleat may not cause as much damage to the wall. I’m going to give it a try at least!

    Reply

  29. tammylee says

    beautiful fabric on the headboard. but i am noticing the pattern is a little uneven at the top. i guess you have to be really careful when using fabric that has such a noticeable “line” in it

    Reply

  30. Karen says

    For those who wondered about the fabrics…I used Patricia Bravo fabric, Amy Butler fabric and fabric by Joel Dewberry. There’s a great gal on Etsy that has designer fabrics for great prices…FabricFlair. Her fabrics are beautiful and her customer service can’t be beat!

    And yes, I noticed the pattern drops a little at the top! I’m still happy with my headboard just the same :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We think your headboard is perfect Karen! We wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks so much for sharing your amazingly inspiring pics and for popping by with that info.

      xo,
      s

  31. Karen says

    I love this…and that fabric is beautiful! Not sure if Karen is popping in here to answer more questions – how much fabric did you use, and what was the size of your frame? I am assuming it is a queen bed? You have inspired me!

    Reply

  32. Kendra says

    Sherry,

    What happened to the piece you wrote about the good finds at Target right now? I saw it and went to Target afterwards to look for some of the items, and came to look at your blog again and it was gone! (at least I couldn’t find it). I thought it was so neat to see you post some cool and decently priced items from local stores that everyone has in their area – it inspired me to go shopping!

    Kendra

    Reply

  33. Jane says

    Hey, Karen’s my baby sister and I’m so proud of her. She deserves all the positive comments and attention. I think her headboard and pillows came out great.
    Naturally, I’m a little jealous since I have a hard time even threading a needle. xoxo sister Jane

    Reply

  36. Karen says

    Hi, it’s me (Karen) again…

    Just to answer the question regarding how much fabric I used. I only needed two yards to cover my frame. Be sure to check fabric size because some fabrics are wider than others. I used the width of the bed (a queen size), and just figured how tall I wanted the frame to come up. Mine hangs down lower than the mattress. I like it that way because it’s flush against the wall with the bed pushed up against it. Mine measures about 47 X 59, that’s with the batting and fabric attached. It hangs on just two regular nails. It’s pretty light actually.
    Hope that helps!

    Reply

  38. Sandy says

    Hey Karen,
    The look is so you. Quite a decorative touch. You are so creative. The patterns are bold and so colorful. I’m not that creative with fabrics, so glad there are people out there that are. Everything is great even our little critter!
    Sandy

    Reply

  39. agneta says

    Your blog ….. it’s amazing and soooo inspiring. Nice to find you!

    A small footprint from Agneta & Sweden

    Ps. I have an ongoing jewelry contest on my blog. Welcome! Ds

    Reply

  41. Amanda W. says

    Lovin’ this headboard and pillows! Is there any way I could find out the specific Etsy shop she got the fabric from? I am wanting to cover the cushion on a chair I am painting! Thanks!! :)

    Reply

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