How to Make a Basic Upholstered Headboard

Enhance the style and comfort of any bedroom with a new-sew upholstered headboard. Tools you'll need:

Jigsaw • Mitre saw • Staple gun • 1/4 –inch staples • 1-inch wood screws • Cordless drill • Tape measure • Scissors • Pencil • 1/4-inch plywood • 2x4-inch lumber • 2-inch foam • Batting • Spray adhesive • Medium-grit sandpaper • Upholstery fabric • 2 standard lag bolts • Picture frame hangers

Directions:
First, measure the width of your bed. The headboard should be slightly wider than the width of your mattress. Take note that foam and padding will add about an inch to the width, sometimes less.
Measure the desired height of your headboard. While standard upholstered headboards are 44 inches tall, you can add extra height for more drama. To determine how much fabric to purchase, take the headboard dimension and add 6 inches to all sides. Once you have dimensions, begin construction of the backing frame. Using the mitre saw, cut 2x4-inch stock lumber to the necessary length and angles. Build the frame by attaching the 2x4-inch lumber with wood screws. Using a jigsaw, cut 1/4-inch plywood to the dimension of the frame. Home centers will sometimes do this for you. Attach plywood to the top of the frame using wood screws. Lightly sand the edges of the plywood with medium-grit sandpaper. Cut 2-inch foam to fit the size of the headboard. Glue the foam to the front of the headboard using spray adhesive. Attach batting to foam using spray adhesive and also wrap batting around the wood frame to soften the edges. Cut fabric to size. Attach fabric by wrapping it around the front of the frame. Begin stapling it to the back of the frame at the top center. Pull the fabric taut as you staple but not so much that it puckers. Cut excess fabric from the back of the frame. Attach picture frame brackets to the back of the frame in two places. Install lag bolts to the wall where you want install the headboard. Place bed under headboard.