Easy DIY Headboard

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I’ve been plugging along on our mini master bedroom makeover and already shared a few projects with you. This week, I’m sharing an Easy DIY headboard tutorial with you, so you can make a big impact to your space too.

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Making this headboard was much easier than I expected it to be. In fact, I only had to ask my for my husband’s help in getting it from the garage to our bedroom. I was able to do everything else by myself. So if I can do it, so can you. 

The best part about this DIY headboard was the cost! I was able to make this for under $100. I had most of the tools already, as well as the spray adhesive and staple gun. I also found after pricing around, that buying a foam twin XL mattress topper was much cheaper than trying to find upholstery foam.

The most impressive part? I actually picked up the fabric for the headboard at a thrift store! The fabric I had in mind for this project was a navy blue velvet at $28/yd (yikes), but I scored just over 3 yards of this navy blue for $3! It was plenty of yardages, and the color matches my scheme perfectly! In all honesty, velvet probably wouldn’t have worked too well with our pets anyway, because velvet is a hair magnet.

And with this photo-bomber, hair is a constant struggle in our house.

Easy DIY Headboard

Easy DIY Headboard

What you’ll need:

There are a few things to note before starting this project. When you are buying the lumber for this DIY headboard, have them cut it to the size you need at the store. It saves you the time and headache of trying to rip down a sheet of plywood. Unless you are my hero and have a table saw, but I’m sure if that’s the case, you aren’t reading my tutorials 🙂

Also, every bed frame is different, so to figure out where the legs of the headboard need to be you’ll have to measure the distance between the supports on the bed frame. I chose not to bolt my headboard legs to our metal frame because it stands up on it’s own. I will leave it up to you if you choose to bolt the legs to your frame.

Find the center on your plywood board and measure half the distance between the supports of your bed frame out on either side of the center of the board. This will be the center point of each leg.

Next, lay the 2x4s down and then the plywood on top of the 2×4’s. Be sure to move the 2×4’s into the right place before the next step.

Taking the drill and drill bit that is slightly smaller than the wood screws, drill 3 holes down each 2×4 (6 holes total) going through the plywood first.

Screw the plywood to the 2×4’s.

Next, in a well ventilated area, spray a good amount of the spray adhesive on the plywood and on the foam. The place the foam on top of the plywood, being careful that it goes on straight. It’s ok to piece foam together if needed because the quilt batting will smooth it out.

Let the spray adhesive dry for 24 hours. I did check mine after 12 and found that I had to apply more spray adhesive in a few places.

Once the foam is firmly attached to the plywood, it’s time for the quilt batting. I folded the roll in half to give the headboard a really plush look. Fold the batting around to the back of the headboard and attach with staples. I found this was easiest to lay the batting down on the floor and then lie the headboard foam size down on top of it. Then just simply pull the batting around the edges and staple.

Next, follow the same routine with the fabric, smoothing as you go. I chose to also cover the legs in the same fabric.

Adding the nailhead trim was the most time consuming part of this DIY headboard. I was having a heck of a time trying to get the nails in a straight line. That’s when I discovered the spacer tool. This thing was SUCH a lifesaver!

I went around all three edges with a nailhead in brushed nickel. It’s the perfect accent to the dark blue fabric.

Our bedroom looks so much different with a headboard! I just need to find some Euro pillows I like and a new lamp and our room will be complete.

Love this? Pin it for later!

Easy DIY Headboard

More Master Bedroom Projects:

9 Comments

  1. Hi Amanda – this is exactly what I am looking for! Thank you for posting it. However, I cannot understand what you meant for this part. I also saw you left about an inch from the edge of your plywood board to the edge of the 2 x 4 legs. Can you explain what this means? “Find the center on your plywood board and measure half the distance between the supports of your bed frame out on either side of the center of the board. This will be the center point of each leg.” Thank you!

    1. Hi Patricia! So I chose to cut my plywood slightly wider than the width of the bed frame to make it look fuller once our mattress and bedding was back in place. Our bed is just generic metal frame that has two places on either end for attaching a headboard. I measured the distance between those, and knew that was how far apart the legs of my headboard needed to be. Since the plywood was cut slightly wider than metal frame itself I needed to measure to figure out where the legs should be attached. So taking the measurement between the supports on the metal frame of the bed, dividing it by 2 (in half) would give me how much to measure out from the center of my plywood on each side. I know without seeing a video of the process makes it kind of hard to follow. If the plywood is cut to the same width as your bed frame, then you can just place the legs on each end of the plywood. I hope I’ve cleared it up a bit for you!

  2. I did not see the the link to order the equipment to put the nails. It looks great you did a good job on that I’m going to drive myself to make me one.

    1. Thank you Ana! I did add in a second link to the spacer tool, so it’s in the supplies list and in the instructions. Hope that helps.

  3. Hi! Love this tutorial! I did read it and looked over the rest of your blog…very informative! I will be following you….and I have a table saw, a miter saw(my fav!!) amongst many other tools in my shop (much to the hubs dismay at times…lol). I look forward to seeing more!

  4. Amanda, I’ve been thinking about making one of these! Thanks so much for the easy tutorial, yours turned out great! Pinned. I love the picture of your cat 🙂 Adorable!!

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