Adding a headboard to your bed is one of the best ways to add polish and coziness to your bedroom. And, lucky for you, making your own DIY upholstered headboard is super easy and affordable (ours only cost $66!). This means you can customize the fabric, size, and design to get exactly the look you want. Believe us, we’ve done A LOT of them over the years!
Today we’re going to take you through the step-by-step process to create the first headboard in the grid above (top left). It’s our favorite, classic headboard tutorial. But you can check out more headboard ideas below:
- How to make a channel-tufted headboard (top right)
- How to make a daybed-style headboard (bottom left)
- How to make a wall cleat to hang a headboard (bottom right)
Materials & Tools
Your exact supply list may vary from ours, but generally, this is what you’ll need to make your own upholstered headboard for your bed:
- Fabric of your choosing (we used 2 yards)
- Extra loft batting (we used 4 yards)
- 5/8″ plywood or MDF
- Two or three 1×3″ whitewood boards
- Miter, table, or circular saw to cut your wood (optional)
- Heavy-duty staple gun & staples
- Screwdriver and screws
Why Add A Fabric Headboard?
We wanted to add a headboard because fell out of love with our 4-poster bed (so we cut off the posts!) and wanted something cozier instead. You know, something plush we could lean up against at night. And the short wood headboard that we currently had wasn’t cutting it.
But generally, headboards can add a lot of personality and polish to a bedroom. Bedrooms without proper headboards can scream “college dorm” or “first apartment,” so adding one is a no-brainer upgrade. Plus, depending on the fabric you choose, it can add some bold color and pattern to a room OR add to the restful, zen space you’re trying to create.
Step 1: Build Your Wood Frame
There are a few ways to create the wood frame for your headboard (including this super lightweight option) but for this particular bed, we constructed a sturdy plywood frame. If you want a simple rectangular design, this step can be as simple as cutting your plywood sheet to size (or having them cut it for you at the home improvement store). For our queen-size bed, we ultimately decided on 65″ wide and 31″ tall. But you can easily customize your dimensions depending on the location or width of your bed.
Ours looked a little more complicated, and I’ll tell you why…
First of all, we were planning to place our DIY headboard around the existing headboard/posts leftover on our Ikea Edland bed. We concocted a plan that would sort of “wrap around” the existing posts, which we mocked up in Photoshop below. But this concept would also work if you wanted to create a popular “winged” headboard look as well.
To add these small side pieces, we attached two 1×3 whiteboard boards to each edge using screws drilled into pocket holes we drill using our Kreg Jig. Alternatively we could’ve secured them with wood glue and nails.
The other reason ours was more complicated than a solid sheet of plywood was that we couldn’t fit it in our little car (ha!). So at Home Depot we had them rip it in half, and we reconnected the two halves at home with scrap pieces of whitewood boards. We’re fancy like that!
Before proceeding we upholstery, we brought our frame in to make sure it fit around the existing bed frame like we planned. Phew – it did!
You can also now see what that wrap-around piece looks like, and how it hides the existing bedpost. And since we’d soon be upholstering it with fabric, it didn’t matter that the edges were a little raw looking.
Step 2: Add Your Batting Layer
If the carpenter in you trembles at the idea of upholstery, just remember: if you can wrap a present, you can upholster a headboard!
Before adding our fabric, we wanted to first add some padding in the form of extra loft batting. We decided to do two layers so it’d be plenty plush, but still not lose its shape. Sherry trimmed a 2-yard section of batting using regular scissors, laid it on the floor, and we placed our frame on top of it. You’ll want about a 2-3″ overhang on all sides.
Then we used our staple gun to begin attaching the batting. We just wrapped the batting tightly around the edge and stapled it every few inches.
When we came to a corner, it was just like wrapping a present. You just fold it back and staple it so it all looks smooth from the front. Try to pull the batting tight so your corners don’t get too bulky. Bam, bam, bam – it’s done.
We just worked our way around the back of the headboard, stapling away. At some point John made me pose for this awkward photo too. Winning.
Eventually the whole thing was stapled nice and tightly around the back.
We decided to do a second layer of batting, just repeating this process. Here’ what it looked like with the double-thick batting!
Note: Another option is to use upholstery foam that you attach to your plywood with spray adhesive. We prefer the batting method since it’s easier to wrap around the edges. But if you’re looking for a much thicker, cushier feel – it may be faster to use foam, rather than wrap 4 or 5 layers of batting. Too many layers of batting can also make it difficult to staple into the wood.
Step 3: Staple On Your Fabric
Here’s where the fun really begins. Now you can repeat that process, but with your selected fabric! Just give it a good ironing first to make sure it’s free of creases or wrinkles before you start.
Just like with the batting, we laid it flat on the floor and placed our (now batting-covered) frame on top, making sure it was pulled taut underneath to avoid any wrinkles. Then I trimmed offthe excess fabric around the perimeter, leaving a few inches for it to be wrapped and stapled around the back, just as I had with the batting.
We started by stapling each side, being sure to pull it extra tight so it won’t end up all loose and baggy over time. I started with one side, pulling it all very tightly, then stapled along the opposite side, again pulling it nice and tight.
Once it was secured on those two sides, I did the same thing to keep it secured vertically, by pulling tightly and stapling the top side and pulling it tightly and stapling the bottom side as well.
Then we flipped the headboard up to see it in all of it’s plush, tightly upholstered glory. Bing, bam, boom. The whole upholstery step took less than forty five minutes to complete. Is it weird to call it one of my favorite fabric projects to date? I just love love love the pattern.
It’s hard to tell above, but in this angle you can get a sense of how plush it is. It’s cushy, but still tight – so we won’t worry about it getting baggy with everyday lounging against it.
Step 4: Hang Your New Headboard
Now you’re ready to attach your headboard to your bed. This can be done in a few ways, depending on your bedframe. When typically like to install a headboard directly into the wall, since it’s often sturdier than attaching it to the bedframe. To do that, usually a french cleat works great. We cover how to DIY a french cleat in this post.
Actually, the headboard pictured above is the same one constructed during this tutorial – a few years later we just updated it for our new home with new fabric and a new top piece (just like we had added the sides pieces in this post). You can see the french cleat below, which is essentially two 2×4″ cut at an angle. One goes on the wall, the other on your headboard. You can also purchase pre-made metal cleats for just a few dollars.
TIP: Try to hang your headboard so it hits the top edge or slightly below the top edge of your mattress, that way there is no gap between the two.
But in the case of our postless-four-poster bed, we chose to screw the new fabric headboard into old wooden one that was part of the existing bedframe, just careful to use screws that wouldn’t poke through the other side.
Here’s John putting the final screws in on the backside, pushing the new fabric headboard tight to the bedrame for a snug, secure fit.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Handiwork
Once it was attached, we just pushed the bed back into place and beamed at it. If only it had been bedtime already that so we could immediately enjoy it’s plushness!
We loved how the fabric is sort of like the bridge between the yellow ginko pillows (since there are greeny-yellow flowers in the headboard fabric) and the turquoise in the rug (thanks to those subtle leafy sprigs of turquoise in the headboard).
I even think Burger looks especially dapper in front of this new backdrop.
DIY Upholstered Headboard Cost
As for a budget breakdown here we go:
- Wood frame (plywood and some bracing boards from Home Depot): $22
- Two layers of extra loft batting (from JoAnn thanks to a 50% off coupon): $4
- Discount designer fabric (from a local fabric outlet called U-Fab): already owned – but it was originally $20/yard ($40 total)
- Total spent: $66 (if you add in the fabric we previously bought for a book project and reused for this)
Sixty six bucks isn’t pennies, but compared to upholstered headboards that are sold at places like Overstock, it’s at least $100-200 cheaper than even the most basic types. And considering places like Ballard Designs charge around $400-$700 for custom headboards (where you get to pick the fabric) it was awesome to get to choose the fabric and whip this up ourselves.
*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods says
AHH! This looks so amazing! I love how these prints are so bright and fresh and you guys have mixed them so seamlessly! I love the bedroom set up now!
Shannon says
I thought your bedroom looked good before but this change makes it so much better! I love it! And that fabric! Love! When I go fabric shopping I can never find anything I like, I think I’m too overwhelmed in the store. I wanted to mention that I do like the tone of that dresser, I think with stained floors and the dresser to match would be too much, but I’ve thought that in the past about things you guys planned and ended up loving what you did anyways so who knows! By the way, you guys have inspired me to brighten up my house. I feel like its just so blah right now. I am using gray as my neutral and in the hunt for colorful accents!
katie says
I did a headboard like this (just like every other DIY home decorator:) and we just love it! So easy and fun and versatile! http://quirkykatie.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/headboarded/
YoungHouseLove says
Looks awesome!
xo,
s
Courtney says
I love it! That fabric is gorgeous. You guys inspired me to do a fabric headboard a while back (the kind you affix to the wall) but I’m so jealous of this new one.
PS: Clara looks SO much like Sherry in that peeking pic. Too cute!
Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says
One word:
Gorgeous.
Katy
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Katy!
xo,
s
Laura H says
It is not wrong to LOVE your OWN headboard, not at all when it turned out so fabulous. It may, however, be wrong for me to love it as much as I do, haha :) Loved the pictures, and I think that whatever you decide to do with the floors, dressers, walls will be the right choice. I admire your ability to take things slow over time . Your rooms always seem to come together so beautifully that way!!! Thanks for the continued inspiration and the step-by-step. I may tackle this soon for my daughter’s room now that I see such a lovely result.
Michele says
love it love it love it!
i have serious desire for a fun upholstered headboard…. we have a regular ol’ king bedframe, so we’d have to attach a different way.
and i’m LOVING the ginko pillows… i don’t know why i haven’t asked before but, would you mind sharing where you found them?
YoungHouseLove says
I wish we remembered the shop name! It’s in Northern Virginia in Old Towne and they were on clearance.
xo,
s
Jess Dycus says
I LOVE YOUR HEADBOARD!!!!
Also, I vote go darker in the same color as you already have. Looks like it would be so great & cozy. But either way, love the bedroom-great job guys!!
Joanne says
Amazing what a difference a simple furniture arrangement can make. The room looks 10x better and the headboard is icing on the cake. Love it!
Naomi says
You guys did a great job!!
? Naomi {Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups}
Lexi says
Is that a new comforter? I love the texture in it- where did you get it? (I tried seeing if I could search through old posts, but only saw the Aquaish one from West Elm) Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s about a year old from Ikea called Ophelia Vass.
xo,
s
Wrenaria says
Perfect choice for the headboard fabric. Love it. Actually, something similar would be about right for my bedroom curtains. The colors are right anyway.
Your room is looking quite inviting. :)
Mary says
Wow. I love your bedroom re-do. I love how simple re-arranging transformed the space. I love the headboard. The fabric is gorgeous and it really does pull the different colours in the room together. And I love the new bedside tables. Love love love.
Regina says
Looks Great! I agree with John a little darker wall color would look great.
Anne G. says
Love, love, love, love everything about the headboard! It totally ties everything together, and it makes me want to jump into the photo, and curl up on the bed with Burger and a good book. Actually, if I could bring my own sweet puppy over and curl up with him, too, that’d be perfect. :)
It is not at all weird to be in love with a headboard. If it is, then I’m weird, too, because I’m in love with your headboard, too!
Our current color scheme is very tuscany — lots of earthy reds and yellows. But, I love that fabric so much that I am starting to think about changing it! Ha ha. We just finished a ton of painting and my husband would kill me. :)
Kristen @ LoveK says
Nice job on the headboard! I’m on Team John when it comes to painting the room a little darker. That photoshopped pic looked awesome!
KathyL says
Ok, you are joking about a slumber party, but really have you thought about how many people would come to an open house????? wouldn’t it be fun to know how many would come?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it would be fun but we’re not ready to share our home address with the world at large just yet… maybe someday when Burger is properly trained as an attack dog. Haha.
xo,
s
Brittany says
Absolutely Gorgeous! Love the fabric! I also love the photoshopped darker paint color down the line. Great job as always!
Dawn R. says
Love, love, love the fabric and the way everything is looking together. The rug is awesome. Here’s another vote for darker floors. As for the paint issue — to go dark or not to go dark, you could compromise and do just the wall behind the bed a darker shade.
Hannah says
I usually prefer dark wood, but I think it looks too serious for y’all. The lighter wood is airy and beachy! Ps: love the headboard!
Kirsty {a safe mooring} says
Is it a coincidence that Burger’s collar also matches the room??
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, total coincidence!
xo,
s
kelly gates says
LOVE this project! I’m hoing to make my own headboard soon as well. Question though… I noticed you guys didn’t use foam, only batting. Is that enought padding? I’ve been putting off making mine b/c of the cost associated with buying that much foam, but if all I need is a couple layers of batting I’m very encouraged! Do you think I could still do some sort of tufting without the foam?
YoungHouseLove says
I think with tufting you’d need the foam, just to get a more defined look!
xo,
s
Erika says
I think the 8th picture from the bottom is a pretty good representation of how the colors match-but-dont. Looks awesome!
Jessica says
I’m so in LOVE with this project! We have been debating whether or not to do a headboard and this may just give me the final nudge. Unfortunately, the walls in our bedroom are some ridiculous material so they won’t hold a headboard up (I can hardly hang pictures without creating a huge hole and mess….ugh) and the frame of our bed isn’t sturdy enough either. I’m weighing other options and even considering one that is extra tall that I could just lean against the wall (and stand it on the floor) Maybe I could try the zip tie idea you used with your full length mirror to prevent it from crashing down and crushing us in our sleep haha. Hmmmm….decisions, decisions….
Soooo….When do we get the deets on your trip???? I’m dying to hear about it!!
Jessica says
Oh and also….I saw the comments about not staining the dresser and floors. I must say I disagree. I think the darker stain would work wonders in that room. I am, however, against painting the walls darker (sorry John lol) I love that the lighter paint keeps it feeling “airy” in your bedroom. Plus, if you go with darker stain on all the wood, it might start to feel a bit heavy. :( Obviously, it’s all a personal choice for you but my vote is for darker wood and lighter walls! :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s on the agenda for tomorrow! Lots (as in over 1000) of photos to go through!
xo,
s
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
LOVE!!! The fabric has such a soft watercolor effect which provides softness to the bold patterned rug. You guys did a great job. I just love this whole room after you rearranged the furniture against the window wall.
Thank you! You have inspired me! I just looked at the headboard that is attached to the bed in our guest bedroom and I could totally recover it. I’ve always wanted a headboard in this room vs. the wood. I’m going to start hunting down fabrics now!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Karla – you’re so sweet!
xo,
s
Nicole T says
I love the new headboard but I LOVE the photoshop rendition with the slightly darker walls, floors, dresser! It feels like it fits right in with the slightly more “grown up yet fun” theme of your new house! Good luck tweaking things around until it feels just right for you!
Deborah says
It’s just lovely!
But, don’t upholstered headboards tend to get dirty over time? What with body oils, leaning against them, touching them, etc. Yours looks fabulous right now — but how do you figure you’re going to keep it clean?
YoungHouseLove says
We have had one for over 7 years (the green one in our guest room was my headboard back in NYC for years, then it was our apartment headboard, our bedroom headboard and then moved into the guest room here) and it’s been great! I think people generally lean back on pillows and don’t rub their body against it much and if you use durable upholstery grade fabric it should be great. We can also pop off the staples and launder it and staple it back on if we need to in a few years (or recover it with something else we love down the road for a new look) so it’s just an investment of two yards of fabric to redo things!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
That is a gorgeous headboard. I love how soft and gorgeous it is but it doesn’t take away from the rug. Just adds another layer of pretty. Such a great room. Can’t wait to see what else you guys do.
I’ve been googling around for something fun to do with a metal frame to make it seem more like a piece of furniture and less like… a metal frame. So far… nada. :(
Sara says
I much prefer this light and airy vibe to what you had going on before with the patterned teal/green duvet (remember that one!?) and those greeny-gold curtains. This seems much more welcoming and cozy than the old color scheme.
I know you guys will do what’s right for you with regard to staining the floor/dresser dark, but as someone with a dark dresser in my bedroom, I can tell you that you’ll be dusting that sucker every other day. Dark wood floors/furniture= much more visible dust! So annoying!!
Emily Williams says
I like how the lamps are now more prominent. Before the change-up, those interesting beauties were lost in the dark…but now!
Now they shine! Way awesome!
(puns totally intended.)
Jessica says
OMG! Had no idea Katie B was preggers!!!! Yay!!! Just popped over to her blog and saw that perfect little belly….she looks way too cute! :)
Sarah says
I really like the headboard, but John is totally right on painting the walls — it’s like the pretty bow on a present that just makes things right! I also love staining the floors darker (I have since you first mentioned it), but I can’t get behind staining the dresser darker (yet). But, like most of the things you do, I’m sure I’ll love it when everything is finished and makes more sense! I have to admit, I’m not loving the bench at the foot of the bed…I’d like to see a brown wicker(ish? I hope you know what I mean) storage ottoman there! Next time you do a bedroom update, can you please throw in a couple of shots of the door side of the room — with all of the moving around y’all have done, i can’t remember what’s over there!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, that bench is just there because we had it from our first house (as the mudroom bench, but now Burger uses it to get into bed, haha). Someday we’d love to replace it with something better! And we definitely need to take more pics of other angles in there!
xo,
s
Ally says
$herdog, looks like you may have some serious competition for J-boom’s affections…he seems a little too enamoured with his ‘wood'(frame headboard :)
*LOVE* the Clara & Daddy ‘peeking’ pictures…so cute! :)
xox
Keisha says
I so want that fabric!!! Looks great, love it!
lauren says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the darker paint color… usually I gravitate toward lighter rather than dark but that photoshop picture looks so clean and crisp with the bright white trim… YUM. and i think the dresser will look good either way you guys choose (:
Erin @ DIY On the Cheap says
I love the fabric! It looks great with the rug and pillows you already had in there. And isn’t it funny how something as simple as shifting a mirror a little bit higher can really make an impact? Looks great guys!!
Sara says
Goodness it looks adorable! The colors go great with the room! Nice choice.
Louise says
I’ve just recently found you two – thanks to the internet from across the pond in England, Love what you do by the way :)
I just want to say – please don’t darken the dresser (chest of drawers in the UK) I’d either paint white or leave well alone! But i do like the darker wall colour in the photo shopped pic
oh! one more thing – LOVE the new headboard!
x
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats says
BEAUTIFUL!!! :) Great job guys, you did it again!
Emily says
Love the fabric! Changing the subject, but I noticed Clara’s dollhouse in the background of one of the pictures (still one of my favorite YHL projects!). Any updates on the children’s toy furniture venture?
YoungHouseLove says
Ugh, the first people we approached said they weren’t going to be able to team up with us. But that just means we have to work harder right? We pitched it to someone else and will keep you posted as it comes along (fingers crossed)!
xo,
s
Emily says
i’m going to sound possibly creepy or dorky, but i had DREAMS about this post last night! i’ve wanted to cover my ikea headboard (we have a hemnes) for months, and i couldn’t WAIT to see how you guys pulled it off!
this is not a DEFINITE to-do on my list!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, I love it!
xo,
s
Christy says
Beautiful! Every change you make just keeps making it better and better! Love the thought of painting the walls a bit darker too, especially with all the white going on with the duvet and drapes. I thought your room was very nice before too, but I understand how you kinda hit a roadblock with it. It definately fills the space much better with the new arrangement. Tons of kudos to you guys for that! With the old arrangement, I had suggested placing the tall mirror in the empty nook even just as a placeholder until you decided what you were going to put there and you said you didn’t want to wake up and see yourself first thing in the morning… It seems that this is the case now with the tall mirror where it is, no? Side note… I think the headboard fabric also looks great with the living room rug in the shot with John and Clara!
YoungHouseLove says
Thankfully I just see my legs in that mirror (it’s a few feet from the head of the bed on that wall, so it doesn’t reflect my face). Whew!
xo,
s
Meaghan says
Love the fabric! I was looking for a light pattern that wasn’t too “girly” for a headboard forever but we ended up going with a plain grey. I still love it, though. Check it out here: http://diybymrc.blogspot.ca/2012/05/making-upholstered-headboard-3.html
But yours is so bright and cheerful – what’s not to love?
YoungHouseLove says
Pretty! I love yours too!
xo,
s
how2home says
Looks perfect in your master bedroom. The color and pattern is so natural for 66$ for the whole project…not too shabby at all! How much time in total did you spend to complete the project?
YoungHouseLove says
I would say the whole headboard probably took us two hours? Definitely under three including cutting it down when the initial height was wrong.
xo,
s
how2home says
my sister is asking me to make her a headboard and for sure i’ll be using your method! thanks for sharing :)
Ashley P says
This looks amazing!!! But I have to say I agree with some other commenters – please don’t stain that gorgeous dresser. :)
Angie Lee says
I LOVE the headboard fabric! It’s so much softer looking compared to the photoshop mock-ups you did with the geometric patterns. It has great colors and a “lightness” about it, if that’s a word?
Well done! :)
Sarah says
The fabric is fantastic! I almost wish you had left the headboard taller just so you could see more of it! (Although shorter looks like the right call to me because the mirror would have been awkwardly high otherwise). Also I am really digging the photoshopped picture with the dresser and floors stained. Really looks like it would tie all the furniture together while still keeping things looking like individual pieces instead of a boring ole set.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sarah! It’s funny to see how many people are pro floor and dresser staining while others are against it! We just promise everyone that we’ll think long and hard about everything and then just do what we love most!
xo,
s
Courtney Rutledge says
y’all – that is great! such awesome progress from the before shot. funny to think i loved the before shot until y’all came up with this. and i love the last photoshopped pic the best – i can def. see it in your future.
Ginny @ goofymonkeys says
The headboard is beautiful!
Carley says
I love your headboard! So pretty! Funny enough, when I was reading and scrolling through your pictures, my first thought was, oh they should paint the walls darker…and then, a possibility in the future. :) Right now, I’ve got a major addiction to slate gray walls. Still looking for the perfect bedding to give pops of color, and then diving into the bedroom and master bath!