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
Very beautiful and relaxing. Your guests will feel very welcomed to have such a retreat. I think maybe I’ll clear off my guest bed since it is currently turning into storage! No wonder I haven’t had any guests (that’s good and bad).
Beautiful headboard! What brand/model staple gun do you use? I have not been able to find a staple gun that works well consistently. Thank you.
I would love to stay in that room! So pretty & serene. The headboard turned out perfectly…I love the trim.
I, too, would love to stay in that room and I noticed the draper chest you paited immediately! Great job! You are very inspiring! You have such a talent! Have a wonderful day!
This is fantastic! Very well done- and thank you for the step-by-step instructions!
Any guest would feel extremely welcome and pampered in you guest room. So, when can I come? :0)
xo,
Pam
Great idea and the headboard looks fantastic! I like how you brought the blue down and onto the bed with the pillows, too.
This is so romantic and beautiful. I getting ready to make an upholstered head board and this is great inspiration! And I love the chest. I’m new to the blog, did you make it?
Well ignore my “did you make it?” question.I clicked the link! Ha! Beautiful!I want it!
The headboard is beautiful and I love the combination of colors in the room. So serene and peaceful. Your guests won’t want to leave!
It’s beautiful and looks so soft and inviting. Yep, I love it! Congrats and God’s blessings, Sarah
The look of a B and B. Very calm and inviting.
Kate,
Do you mind sharing your paint color in that room? It looks so relaxing and inviting. Beautiful job!
I love that headboard… Excellent work!!!
That is a beautiful headboard. Very nicely done too! The molding frames it perfectly.
Fabulous, just what I’d expect from the Censational Girl! That color is simply beautiful. Do I need to make reservations to come and stay in your guest room?
Looks really nice! I might have to steal the idea when we redo the twins’ room.
Okay, when can I come for a visit?
That is probably one of the prettiest guest rooms ever! Have a great day! Off to preschool drop-off. 
Gorg! I love your paint color, what’s it called?
That is just gorgeous!
What a great idea! I LOVE it!
Oooooh, la la………it is tres chic!!! Love it!
suzanne
Um..W.O.W! That’s all I can say. And I love the painted Draper Chest. Very impressive.
Another great tutorial. I don’t know how you find the time to complete so many projects!
LUURRVVV IT! OK, I have to ask, where did you get the linen? And the mirrored tray, I so wish to find one like that for my living room. BTW, thank you for the inspirations.
Oh man! I just saw those at Target and I passed them by…..dang!! I love the headboard! I’m going to try it myself!
It is phenomenal. I swoon….
Wow, I am so impressed! Thanks for the tutorial, I may just have to try this one out!
Boy, do I need a headboard! I just might give this a try!! Thx!!!
m ^..^
Wow, your headboard turned out amazing! I love it! You are so savvy! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!!
Kate, I absolutely love the look of this new headboard. I also loved the old headboad made from the cabinet doors. What I want to know is, was it a pain in the neck to touch up your wall after removing all of those cabinet doors?
This was a great post. It has given me some much needed inspiration for create a new headboard in my son’s room.
Kate, you clever girl! You never disappoint in your DIY projects. This one is fantastic. I’m wondering if the board goes all the way behind the bed too (down below)? It looks so inviting.
BEAUTIFUL! to be honest, I wasn’t such a fan of the cabinet headboard- but I love this one!! The trim looks great!
its gorgeous! def furniture porn to me! i plan on making my headboard soon! and i love the trim that you added and the fabric is beautiful! i think i rather do this then nailhead… hmmmm
Amazing! I’ve been thinking about buying a fabric headboard myself. But your tutorial made it look so easy! Maybe I’ll give it a go…
You guest will absolutey love this room! Who wouldn’t?! Better than any hotel I’ve ever stayed at
it’s beautiful!
Beautiful!
Undoubtedly your guests will LOVE IT! Looks wonderful! I love the decorative trim too!
What a great result! It looks so expensive and French
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This is really nice. I’ve always loved Wedgwood Jasperware, and you’re right: this headboard is reminiscent of that.
Thanks for the tip on using moulding around the headboard. This gives a beautifully finished look to the headboard. I’ve used decorative cording stapled around the perimeter of headboards to accomplish that, but your look here is very refined–more like the piece of furniture that a headboard is!
A lovely, serene space you’ve created. You may want to keep a goodly supply of toiletries on hand, for I would imagine you’ll have lots of guests!
I would love to be your guest! You did a great job! I dont think a hotel would have anything on you! well done! love the flowers on the night stand!
Just found your blog and love it! I look forward to having a house big enough to do these projects! Good work:)
I love it! So pretty. Here’s a chair project I recently finished!
http://refreshdesignstudio.blogspot.com/2009/09/thrift-store-revamp.html
I agree that your guests will like it. I love that you did your own version of an upholstered headboard, and I LOVE the trim around it. I often think that upholstered headboards look “unfinished” Not so with yours!
I love it! I love the idea of framing it – that makes it look so much nicer! I love how easy such a high end look is (and easy on the budget a lot of times)!
So pretty! It does indeed look like Wedgewood. The trim is such a nice touch, and I love the styling in the room.
So soothing. Perfect for a weary traveler. Well done!
Gorgeous headboard. I’m planning to make one too. I’m just trying to decide what fabric to commit to. (I change things way too often, lol) I love that you used thin foam. Such a sleek look! I just covered a chair in pale blue linen that would go so well with this. It’s the most recent post on my blog. http://muchtodowithnothing.blogspot.com/.
Kelly
Gorgeous!
I have heard women talk about their “girl crushes” and my first thought was always “Huh?” but I have to admit it…you’re my first girl crush…now I know of what they speak.
Your blog is fabulous…Love it. Now I just have to break it to my husband…