DIY Upholstered Headboard

Update your bedroom by making your very own headboard – it’s easier than you think. Learn more about this DIY upholstered headboard project in this video by Better Homes and Gardens:

For this DIY project you’ll need an MDF frame cut to the width of your bed, spray adhesive, tape measure, pencil, scissors, roller, staple gun, 1/2-inch staples, heavy linen fabric, batting and foam. And grab a partner – this is a two-person job.

1. Cut foam to size with scissors and piece together. Use a thicker foam to give the headboard a more substantial look.

2. Spray adhesive to the front of the MDF piece.

3. Lay the foam on top of the MDF piece and press it down with a roller to help it stick more evenly to the MDF.

4. Add additional pieces of foam to cover the frame and adhere.

5. Place the headboard face down on a piece of batting and trim the batting as needed. Be sure to leave enough to wrap around the foam and over the edge of the MDF.

6. Staple the batting onto the MDF. Gently adjust and pull firmly each time you staple. The trick to smooth batting is to place a staple on one side and then a staple on the opposite side, rather than working down one side at a time. Continue stapling around all the edges.

7. Save the corners for last, notching out a square on the corners. For each corner, staple one side, then roll over the raw edge of the other side and staple into place.

8. Iron your fabric so your headboard will be wrinkle free, and then lay it flat on the floor.

9. Place the headboard on top of the fabric, leaving enough on all sides to wrap around the back.

10. Pull one side of the fabric tightly and staple, then move to the other side and staple (like you did with the batting). Trim excess fabric as necessary. Repeat on all sides and fill in with more staples until the front side is smooth.

11. For the corners, cut a notch (like you did on the batting). For each corner, pull over one side and staple in place, then fold over the raw edge of the other side and staple into place. By folding over the raw edge, you create a nice clean pleat.

12. Secure your headboard to the wall behind your bed and enjoy your DIY work.