Simple Tufted and Upholstered Headboard

When we moved into our house almost two years ago, I couldn't have been happier with the hand-me down furniture we'd received. Unfortunately, if you've read some of my previous posts you know that I am notorious around my house for constantly wanting to change things up. So, about a year's worth of dwelling in my new home left me needing a 'master' room change. (And I use the term 'master' lightly because the nursery in our house currently claims more square footage.)

So, with change in mind I set out to upholster my black wooden headboard. I started by purchasing and wrapping two thick layers of quilter's batting to the existing headboard. I simply used a staple gun to attach the batting. I realize that quilter's batting is not the most luxurious padding I could have chosen, but it was certainly the cheapest. For about $5.00 at a local fabric store, I had all the padding I felt I needed.

For the fabric, I checked out the clearance section at the same fabric store for upholstery grade fabric. Because my bedding is heavily patterned, I was looking for a light herringbone pattern. I was extremely pleased with this light grey herringbone pattern I found, and lucked out to purchase close to 6 yards of it for only $7.00! I attached it with a staple gun as well, making certain to pull the fabric as tight as I could get it. I recommend having some help on hand for this part. It was nearly impossible to get it tight enough and staple at the same time myself.

To finish the edges, I just wrapped them as neatly as I could with a v-fold, and stapled them in back.

At this point, the headboard was completely covered and definitely giving off a different feel. However, it left me feeling a little bland. So finally, I toyed with the idea of attaching buttons or tufting. It was a difficult task to figure out seeing as how the headboard is wood and I didn't want to prepare my upholstery with buttons BEFORE attaching it to the wood. In the end I went with the cheater version of tufting. I decided to hammer in poultry net staples to pinch the fabric in 4 places, 12 inches apart. I then simply used the buttons I had pre-upholstered by hot gluing them to the net staples. It's been almost 6 months and they are holding strong!

And there you have it! My new headboard. I loving the warmth it provides. The picture below is sans- bedding/ pillows because we still need to raise the headboard a few inches. We recently replaced our boxsprings, leaving the mattress sitting higher and blocking part of the headboard. (Anyone have any great ideas for how to make it taller? I've just been trying to talk my husband into adding some 2x4 support at the bottom?

In truth I realize that this post is a little late coming. I finished my headboard in January, but have had it hiding in the archives. Since my creation, I have seen some of the most gorgeous headboards out there in blog land. I apologize if you are left feeling "underwhelmed" after seeing mine. I certainly have bigger and bolder ideas now after seeing what some genius ladies are up too out there!

I'll be linking up to these parties this week. Hope you'll stop by and check out what's been floating around!

Happy Thursday...