How to Upholster a Headboard ~ The Sweetest Digs

Every single time I see an upholstered headboard, I’m tempted to repurpose our existing furniture so I can DIY one myself. Today Gemma from The Sweetest Digs shares her DIY headboard tutorial.

Tips on How to Make an Upholstered Headboard

Gemma’s poor pillows on her “before” bed had no where to lean or rest…

no headboard

Easy, affordable solution? A DIY upholstered headboard of course! Here’s how she did it…

She purchased her fabric and batting then had Home Depot cut her 1/4″ plywood to the right size (using measurements for her bed).

She laid out the batting on her dining room table.

batting

Next she laid her plywood in the center and stapled the batting to the backside.

batting on plywood

Next, she ironed her fabric and laid it out on the dining room table…

fabric for headboard

She laid her plywood in the center and stapled the fabric (starting with the long ends)…

stapling DIY headboard

and ending at the corners…

stapling corners

It’s hanging in place using French cleats (shown here).

Ta-da! Seriously, she made that look so easy, didn’t she? Who knew it was THAT simple and the result? Stunning! The best part? Total cost: $98! Woo hoo! Thanks so much for sharing, Gemma!

DIY upholstered headboard

Love it! A beautiful inexpensive way to accessorize with color and pattern! See the full original post with more detailed instructions {and more DIY from Gemma} at

The Sweetest Digs

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DIY inspiration from the Project Parade

These links in the DIY Project Parade are inspiration to me personally this week. I’m so thankful to all of the talented blog friends who take the time to link up and show off…it’s just the motivation I need for a few things I have going on with helping my sister decorate her new home next month.

Carmel at Our Fifth House shared her DIY pegboard headboard and I’ve been looking for budget friendly DIY ideas to surprise my nephew. Isn’t this awesome? I love all of the DIY details in this room. And I need to make that bed frame too! Great job, Carmel!

DIY pegboard headboard

My teenage niece is going to want a glam bedroom and I see a pretty DIY chandelier makeover in my near future like this beautiful one shared by Ada’s Interior Design

DIY chandelier makeover

We’re going to need some fabric and Dear Emmeline has reminded me that repurposing vintage curtains {sheets too} is a beautiful, affordable option with yard sale season in full swing…

see the coffee table and end table tops:

coffee table makeover

My sister has an old dining room table and a thrift store eat-in kitchen table and we can’t wait to give them a ‘makeover’. The table makeover from Art is Beauty is bookmarked in our idea folder…

table and chairs makeover

As soon as my sister goes back to FL to pack up the last of her things, I’m sneaking over to redo her master bedroom. I’d love to surprise her with a beautiful romantic master bedroom. Have you seen the master bedroom reveal at Raising Up Rubies? Breathtaking!

master bedroom reveal

Have you seen the awesome links in the DIY Project Parade this week? Have you linked up your DIY? Time to ‘show off’! Let’s see what you’ve been up to:

DIY Project Parade

TGIF! Have a wonderful long holiday weekend!

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Drop Cloth Headboard Tutorial

Don’t you just love a good Pottery Barn inspired DIY project? I’m so inspired when I see something not in my budget recreated for a fraction of the price and it’s rewarding. Stretching a budget further with more to spend in other areas or just the ability to have the same look when it’s not otherwise possible. Meet: Susanne from

Tenth Avenue South blog

Can you believe that her headboard is a do-it-yourself version, upholstered using a drop cloth?