Feminine & French Inspired Fabric Covered Headboard
September 16, 2009
William Hickson once said, “If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.”
This is the story of my guest studio headboard. A few months ago, I had an idea to convert some leftover cabinet doors into a headboard by covering them in fabric and mounting them on the wall. It was a good idea, but the final result did not meet with my satisfaction.
So I came back for Round Two. This time, I did it right. With some plywood, foam, batting and a discount curtain panel, I created a new and improved fabric covered headboard for my guests. And this time, I trimmed in with some decorative moulding.
Here’s a peek:
Here’s how I created this romantic and feminine French inspired fabric covered headboard.
At my local Target, the Blue Strie window panel collection is on clearance for $14 per panel. It was the same panel I used to recover this ottoman for my office, and it is still available online here (though not on sale online). I purchased three of these window panels. One for each window, and one to cover my new headboard.
Ordinarily, I’m against being so matchy matchy with my fabric choices, but in this case I made a deliberate exception. In my attempt to create a soft and serene space, I felt that the coordinating fabrics would work well here.
How to Make a Fabric Covered Headboard Trimmed with Decorative Moulding:
Supplies:
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Half inch plywood trimmed to fit wall.
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Fabric of choice
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Half inch foam to fit
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Batting to cover
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Decorative moulding of choice
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“D” ring hangers to mount on wall
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Paint of choice for decorative moulding
Tools: Staple gun, screwdriver, level, hammer, finish nails, miter box or saw.
Step One: Choose your decorative moulding from a home improvement store. Then have your home improvement store cut a piece of half inch plywood to fit your wall. My measurements for my Cal King bed were 74” wide x 36” tall. Make sure you subtract the width of your moulding from your final width and height measurement.
Step Two: Layer your half inch foam and batting on top of your plywood and if necessary, secure in place with a few staples on the very edge.
Tufting Tip: If you want to add tufted buttons to your headboard, then measure and drill holes in the back of your headboard with a drill bit, and follow the tufting tutorial I used here and here.
Step Three: Press your fabric to remove any wrinkles. Place your layered plywood headboard on top of the fabric. Pull taught, and staple every 8 inches.
Turn your headboard over and make sure your fabric is aligned correctly. If so, then staple all around every 2 inches. Secure your corners as well. Trim excess fabric.
Step Four: Paint your trim to your color of choice. I chose none other than Rustoleum’s Heirloom White.
Step Five: Locate your wall studs on the wall, and measure the location of your “D” ring hangers. Secure your hangers to plywood back with a screwdriver. Hang headboard on wall.
Double check your headboard is level before attaching trim.
Step Six: Measure and cut your previously painted trim with a miter box or compound miter saw.
Secure to wall with brad nailer, or finish nails and a hammer. Make sure you pound them in so they are flush to the trim.
Spackle the corners to fill in any gaps.
Step Eight: If necessary, spackle your nail holes. Paint over the nails to hide them. In my case, I sprayed some of my spray paint into a plastic cup, and used an artist’s brush to paint over the nails.
Here’s a few more glimpses at the finished headboard.
Do you spot my painted knockoff Draper chest that I found at a thrift store ?
As pretty as a Wedgewood plate.
Feminine. Romantic. French inspired.
And inexpensive.
If Mr. CG ever snores, this is where you’ll find me. Zzzzzzzzzz.
Tags: headboard
You could have your own show on HGTV! Great job, wish I didn’t have a bed frame so I could do this…hmmm, maybe my son’s room with a stripe?
I love that you gave this another go, because the second try is so much more in scale and looks custom, upscale and glamorous. I’d really love it if you would do another post deconstructing it a bit (like why the first design didn’t quite work and how you got the courage to tear it down and approach it again). I think a lot of people are afraid of making design mistakes (I can include myself in that) and it would help them (us) to have you talk about not-quite-getting-it-right the first time, but not settling for “just-okay.”
So pretty. And I love the nubby fabric you used as well. Just lovely.
I have no doubt they will like it. You make it seem as if I could actually do this, I love the detailed instructions. It really makes a pretty room, the chest is darling. Your guests will feel very special.
Sue
Love it! This i smy favorite blog to visit.
I must ask, where did you get the bedding? It is so pretty.
Ugh, please excuse my typos. It has been a long day.
Great proyect, una muy buena idea para lograr una cabecera especial. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs.
Charo
It looks lovely. I love how you finished it out with the molding. The shade of blue in this room is beautiful and calming. I’m sure your guests are going to love it!
That looks amazing! I love that proportions of the room allow the headboard to come right up to the windows ~ phenomenal.
I love it! The color is gorgeous.
I am soooooo glad we didn’t make a guest room headboard last weekend, as planned. Now I want to make this one! Thanks so much, I’m super excited about this! I’ll be linking as well.
BEEEEEEAUTIFUL KATE…I love the fabrics you chose. I love your eye for putting fabrics together. I think I struggle with that. I would have been worried about the blue dresser looking right with the blue “curtains.” When I see yours I love it but just don’t have the eye. I love that about you. I said love way too much…I am not obsessed I swear ;-)
I love it!! It’s so elegant and beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I make headboards all the time and I love the idea of the moulding but I would have never had the guts to just try it.
Thanks for the inspiration
Is it? Could it be? Why yes…….I believe it is……Heirloom White!! tee hee.
This is just as lovely as could be; looking as though it were a Million Bucks!! WONDERFUL JOB.
You truly do inspire.
Hi there ! I just love this bed. Can I come over from France ? This place looks amazing and I’m sure your guests will sleep like babies in this bed …
I created my first upholstered headboard yesterday (you can check it out on my blog http://www.nocesdecoton.canalblog.com), but I’m just getting started on this kind of projects, so I’m getting inspiration and techniques from blogs like yours ! Thanks for sharing !
Gorgeous! I’m in awe!
I likey. Nice job.
I just absolutely LOVE your style. Every color, every frame, every fabric..
I love this! My husband and I are wanting to really make a glamorous bedroom so this could be just the ticket! I was also wondering, where did you get the mirrored tray? It’s exactly what I have been looking for!
I just found your blog today. I can’t wait to read all of your older posts! This headboard you made is just wonderful. My husband and I are shopping for our first home right now and I have a feeling I may be stealing some of your great ideas when it comes to decorating time. We live in Sonoma County too :) Thanks for sharing all of your great projects. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
love the guest room and the headboard!
I loved your last upholstered headboard which inspired me to make my own as well and I love the decorative trim on this one. Can you really buy that at Home Depot? Out of curiousity – do you think their is a way to attach the trim directly to the headboard versus to the wall? I was thinking about making a bulletin board with the trim on a smaller scale but not sure how to do that. Thanks for inspring me once again.
Wow, you just solved my problem! I’ve been wanting a french padded headboard, with those curly, carved tops, and they are all out of my budget. This is fabulous and brilliant! Thanks for posting.
Kate,
I would love for you to come on over and see my version of your project! http://littlebignest.blogspot.com/2009/10/fabric-covered-headboard-project.html
Thanks for the ideas! I love all of your projects!!
Lauren
[...] fabric covered headboard is surrounded by decorative painted trim for a romantic and feminine look in the [...]
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I made my headboard and just hung it today! It looks fabulous!! :)
me fascina tu pagina, greetting from mexico!!!!! felicidades!!!
How have I only just found you?? Love your blog. Thanks for all the great, and truly beautiful, DIYs :))