I made a headboard!
This was a pretty painless project. The only pain I felt was more of a freaking
out sensation as I stapled the first side of the fabric hoping for the
best. I scowered the internet for a
quick and easy tutorial but ended up taking advice from a few and winging the
rest. They were all so different and no
one had really precise measurements for the headboard or one particular way to
hang it on the wall. Some anchored it
using hardware, others built legs…it really all depends on how you will be
making up the bed when it’s all finished.
My guest room is not ginormous, so saving space is key – meaning lets
mount this thing to the wall!
Ok so I started with one ginormous piece of plywood and cut
it down to 4x5 feet. My queen mattress measures
about 60 inches across, and after studying pictures on pinterest I decided I
didn’t want much headboard peeking out around the sides. Also, since I am mounting this to the wall
and it’s not standing on it’s own two feet, I decided to go with one of the
least expensive types of plywood available.
In the plywood section they had about 15 different kinds, ranging from
$12 to $80 a piece.
Next step – attach some hanging stuff.
We used 2x4’s for this part because that’s
what we had lying around, but you could use something thicker if you
wanted.
After cutting to size, we
screwed them to the ends of the plywood and then one piece running
perpendicular to them in the center (which you don't see because I forgot to photograph...too excited to start stapling!).
My brother cut the center piece on an angle all the way
across so that it’s matching piece or better half could be attached to the wall
and they would sit together so nicely like two people holding hands – but
instead just two lifeless pieces of wood holding a wonderful headboard. Make sure to do all the attaching before upholstering.
Upholstery – much easier this time around because squares
are great. I don’t care how that saying
goes about “don’t be a square!” or “what a dork, she’s such a square”, you are
wonderful squares, as are your cousins the rectangles.
Base layer is batting.
I bought this in the craft store and the twin size was more than enough
for my headboard, and I ended up folding it in half so my headboard is extra
fluffy. Just simply stapled, nothing too
fancy, but be aware of how far in your staples are for the second layer.
Next is the fabric.
Mine is a wide navy and white cabana stripe upholstery weight
cotton. Next time I think I will
probably use some white muslin or something underneath just to give it a little
more umph. Freaked out slightly about
keeping the stripes on straight but I think it worked out okay. To keep things flat I always work one side
(doesn’t really matter which) and then to the opposite of that one, pulling it
tight to keep things from shifting diagonally.
Once it was done we hung it up! The center wood piece thingie does a great
job of distributing the weight and it is not moving at all.
I haven’t completely finished the room, but here is a sneak
peak of how it’s coming so far J
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| Oh and I needed new monogrammed shams... |
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| Remember this chair?? Still needs a cushion. |
