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One way to up the coziness factor of your bed and make a visual statement in your room is to add an upholstered headboard. While it makes a big impact, it’s not actually as difficult to build as you might expect. All you need is ½-inch plywood cut to size, plus 1-inch foam, batting, fabric, and nailhead trim.
How to Make a Headboard in 8 Steps:
Step 1: Cut Plywood
Get your plywood cut to size or cut it yourself with a saw.
Step 2: Cut Foam to Length of Wood
Lay the foam on the floor and place the wood over it. Trace the outline of the board onto the foam, then cut the foam with a utility knife.
Step 3: Repeat Step 2 with the Batting
Repeat Step 2 with the batting, adding a few inches on each side so that you can pull the batting over the edge of the plywood when you secure it.
Step 4: Glue Foam and Plywood
Adhere the foam to the plywood with spray adhesive. Let dry.
Step 5: Center Batting on Foam
Center the batting on top of the foam, then flip the headboard over so that the batting is on the floor. Attach to the backside of the plywood with the staple gun, pulling it tautly as you go.
Step 6: Affix Fabric to Headboard
Flip the headboard over again so that it’s right-side up. If your fabric has any wrinkles, iron it, then center it over the headboard, using clamps to hold it in place, if necessary. Flip the headboard back so that the fabric is on the floor.
Starting at the top center and pulling tightly as you go, staple the fabric to the wood. When you reach the corners, fold the fabric neatly, as you would wrapping paper. Once the entire headboard is covered, trim any excess fabric.
Step 7: Apply Nailhead Trim
Flip the headboard right-side up again. Line up the nailhead trim in a straight line, starting from the bottom of one side and working your way up. Tap in the nailheads with the mallet.
Step 8: Secure Headboard to Wall
Attach your headboard to the wall by screwing two D-rings to the back of the plywood and hanging them from screws or hooks in your wall.
