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Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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EASY Upholstered Headboard Tutorial

September 14, 2011 by Bethany Sy

This upholstered headboard is SO SIMPLE and easy to make… and I’m gonna share the how-to tutorial with ya!!

EASY upholstered headboard... no upholstering skills required!

*this post contains affiliate links

Well this headboard was a no-brainer… we had leftover damask fabric (from the nursery curtains) that I’m totally in love with. Here’s the same fabric in a different color… the turquoise is sold out!) And the damask pattern fit perfectly with the 10″ x 10″ squares of wood that we already had pre-cut and lying around. You can use as many or as little fabrics as you want. It just depends on the look you’re going for. See? (These are the other upholstered headboards we’ve made in the past)

Upholster individual square boards to make a gorgeous and SIMPLE headboard!

The following tutorial is for a queen size upholstered headboard. You can tweak it accordingly for other bed sizes.

  • Twin–39 inches
  • Full–54 inches
  • Queen–60 inches
  • King–76 inches
  • California King–72 inches

If you don’t have a table saw, start with having your local lumber yard cut 18 squares (10×10) of 1/4″ wood. We used Mahogany underlay because it was cheapest. You’ll also need a 1/2 inch thick board 28″ x 58″ to serve as the ‘backboard’.

I started by cutting my fabric in 13″ squares, 18 in all.

Suuuuper simple DIY Upholstered Headboard

Then I lined up the 10″ board on my fabric so that the design was perfectly centered. If you’re not using a patterned fabric, you don’t have to be as careful with centering and lining everything up just so.

How to make a simple DIY Upholstered Headboard... the cheater way!

Using a staple gun, I folded the bottom edge over the wood and stapled (every 2-3 inches) at a slight angle so that the pokey edges of the staple didn’t come through the other side. Like so:

Simple Upholstered Headboard

Make several tiny folds on the corner, and pull it tight to make a perfectly smooth corner… and staple it down!

EASY Upholstered Headboard DIY

I added some fluffy polyester fiberfill a little at a time, adding staples every 2-3 inches as I made my way up the square.

Upholster individual squares to make a 'tufted' headboard!

I cornered off the top the same way I did the bottom. Voila! One down, seventeen to go!

Individual upholstered squares liked up to create a TUFTED headboard!

Once you have one square completed, use it as a template for the rest… making sure the pattern lines up the same way in the same places. But like I said, if you’re using a solid fabric, or lots of different patterned fabrics, this step can be omitted! Hooray for omitting steps!

Creating a DIY tufted headboard is easier than you think with this tutorial

Once you’ve got all 18 upholstered 10×10 boards, give yourself a high-five! No matter how perfectly your 10″ squares are cut, there will always be slight cracks showing between some of your upholstered squares, so I recommend spray painting your ‘back board’ a similar color to your fabric.

Then place all 18 squares onto the board. Your ‘back board’ is cut 28″x58″ so that the upholstered squares overlap on the edges so you can’t see the tacky unfinished backboard peeking out from behind.

Individual upholstered squares lined up to make a tufted DIY headboard!

Glob on some Liquid Nails onto the back, and press each square down firmly. Be sure to read the directions carefully. This may not seem entirely secure, but we built our first headboard almost 2 years ago, and we haven’t had any problems! (TIP, try globbing some of the Liquid Nails >>this stuff onto the staples, giving the goop something to really grab onto when it dries).

DIY Upholstered 'tufted' headboard

Kids, that’s it. You can and should build one for yourself immediately. It’s totally easy-slash-fun. We used interlocking flushmounts found here to secure the headboard directly to the wall. This allows it to be flush with the wall, and extremely secure. (we DON’T have it secured to the wall in these pictures, so ignore our lazy installation)

Suuuuper simple DIY Upholstered Headboard
Individual upholstered squares lined up to make a tufted DIY headboard!

I so so so love how this turned out. Here are some other posts from our bedroom makeover!

SUPER simple DIY Upholstered 'Tufted' Headboard!

And… at night  🙂

SUPER simple DIY Upholstered 'Tufted' Headboard!

Are you gonna give this one a try? Let me know if you have any questions!!!

PSSSSST! Update! I just shared a new upholstered headboard, and let’s just say… this one is UNIQUE. It involves *cough*pool noodles *cough*. Come check it out HERE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(If you’re curious how we mounted the headboard over the window with the curtains flowing behind it, we composed a how-to post HERE! It’s your lucky day!)

SUCH a smart fix to that epic problem of having a headboard in front of a window!

I also think this headboard would work great for a kids bed, and I included it in a roundup of ideas of Upholstered Headboards for Kids!

Upholstered DIY Headboard Ideas for kids

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

« Miss Molly
Sugar and Spice »

Comments

  1. 163

    ANa says

    August 29, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    Hi I was wondering if you had a break down as to how much it cost to do this?

    Reply
  2. 164

    HELENE SHAW says

    August 14, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    WOW!!! This is so brilliant!!! So doing this…thank you!!!

    Reply
  3. 165

    Anna says

    January 25, 2018 at 8:53 am

    I love love this. Thank you so much easier than the others I found. I have one question…what about the legs? There’s no instructions on how to add the legs unless I missed it?

    Reply
    • 166

      Bethany Sy says

      January 25, 2018 at 12:49 pm

      Hi Anna! We use flushmount hardware to mount it directly to the wall.
      (afiliate)>> http://amzn.to/1PZLaQH

      Reply
  4. 167

    megan says

    December 22, 2015 at 4:09 pm

    did you attach headboard to bed frame?

    Reply
    • 168

      Terri Chevalier says

      December 23, 2015 at 3:02 pm

      Mine is attached to 3 pieces of wood which is anchored to the wall. Added some velcro to the wood and blocks… So now I csn change it up if I want!

      Reply
  5. 169

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    June 26, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    It’s going to be different for everybody depending on the width of your fabric.

    Reply
  6. 170

    Julie Turner says

    June 24, 2015 at 4:23 pm

    first off THANK you for such an informative post on this headboard thing. the first one i have found that is dummy proof for people like me. that beign said – although you put “76 inches” for kingsize – wouldnt i need more than 18 squares? im not good at conversion. can you tell me the exact measurements for a king size headboard – in regards to the squares … etc? thank you so much

    Reply
    • 171

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      June 26, 2015 at 2:44 pm

      76″ is the width of a king size mattress, so you just have to decide approx what size and how many squares you want that is divisible by 76 (or slightly more).

      Reply
  7. 172

    Kolbi says

    June 17, 2015 at 11:16 am

    I made one of these, and have recently decided to change up my entire bedroom color scheme, do you know a way to redo the headboard or is it easier to just start anew and build a completely new one?

    Reply
    • 173

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      June 17, 2015 at 11:33 am

      kolbi, you might try to pry off the individual squares and see if they’ll pop off. If so, you could just wrap a new fabric over the old and skip the whole stuffing step! If you give it a go, let me know how it turns out!!

      Reply
      • 174

        Kolbi says

        June 17, 2015 at 11:41 am

        Yeah, thats what I was thinking of doing, but remembering how crazy I went with the wood glue is a little daunting. lol

        If it works I’ll for sure let you know and post before and after pictures! Thanks!

        Reply
    • 175

      Terri Chevalier says

      December 23, 2015 at 3:01 pm

      Mine is a king size that 3 rows down with 5 blocks across. Hubby didn’t want to you the bracket. So he anchored 3 pieces of wood to the wall and I put wide Velcro on the wood and the block backs so I coukd move them around. Next year I’ll be making a second set of blocks so I can change it out!

      Reply
  8. 176

    Alyssa says

    May 26, 2015 at 5:22 am

    about how many yards of fabric did you use?

    Reply
  9. 177

    Lauren Jewell says

    January 23, 2015 at 10:20 am

    I Love this idea! I’ve just got into crafting and am about to finish a diy ottoman made out of a tire aND 3/8in Manilla Roap. I looked online and couldn’t find 1 for under $500 or $600 so I’m almost finished making my own and will only have ab $40 plus the glue in it. Anyways, I was wondering if u can use any fabric you choose or if certain types work best? Keep up the great ideas and tks for posting.

    Reply
    • 178

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      June 26, 2015 at 2:46 pm

      Oh my, how did I miss your comment?! We use upholstery fabric for things like that because it has that extra strength and durability. Would love to see pics of your ottoman!!

      Reply
  10. 179

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    January 23, 2015 at 8:12 am

    We used one flushmount bracket on either side of the headboard. Hope this helps! Send pics when you’re done!!

    Reply
  11. 180

    Kate says

    January 7, 2015 at 4:50 am

    Did you use two of the flushmount brackets or one?

    Reply
  12. 181

    kristen says

    December 29, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    where did you get the canopy?!

    Reply
    • 182

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      December 30, 2014 at 8:09 am

      IKEA!

      Reply
  13. 183

    Brigid Ingrid Prior says

    December 19, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    Hi! Do you have a cost breakdown on this? Or an estimated cost? Also– how much fabric did you need?

    Reply
  14. 184

    Lisa McLeod says

    December 14, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    Hello! I’m new to crafting and am looking into making my own upholstered headboard. I have a queen size bed and would like to use 18×18 squares. My thought was to use 1/2in thick squares and omitting the supporting back board. Flush mounting them to the wall using a wall cleat. I have a theme in mind and have been searching for cost efficient options for durable/quality fabric. Any thoughts on using curtain panels vs fabric by the yard? Do you have any recommendations about which fabric (linen, cotton, ect.) Is best suited for diy headboard project?

    Reply
  15. 185

    Guest says

    December 14, 2014 at 6:15 pm

    Hello! I’m new to crafting and am looking into making my own upholstered headboard. I have a queens size bed and would like to use 18×18 squares. My thought was to use 1/2in thick squares and omitting the supporting back board. Flush mounting them to the wall using a wall cleat. I have a theme in mind and have been searching for cost efficient options for durable/quality fabric. Any thoughts on using curtain panels vs fabric by the yard? Do you have any recommendations about which fabric (linen, cotton, ect.) Is best suited for diy headboard project?

    Reply
  16. 186

    JoAnn Martin says

    November 29, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Finished making one. Waiting for the mounting bracket to arrive via Amazon. Don’t know how to post a pick 🙁

    Reply
    • 187

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      December 1, 2014 at 7:21 am

      Yaaaay! Send us a pic via email! sawdustandembryos@gmail.com… can’t wait to see it!

      Reply
  17. 188

    Escapemom says

    November 12, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    I made my king size 15 x 15. # rows of 5

    Reply
  18. 189

    Courtney says

    November 11, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    Hi! If you were to do this for a king size bed, what would your measurements be? Would your backboard still be the same measurement? This looks so amazing, I can’t wait to do it!

    Reply
  19. 190

    Laura Turner says

    July 7, 2014 at 5:46 pm

    I love this and can’t wait to try it!!

    Reply
  20. 191

    june denicola says

    June 13, 2014 at 12:04 am

    We now have a headboard. Thanks for the diy tutorial.

    Reply
    • 192

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      June 13, 2014 at 7:34 am

      Sweeeet! Send pictures please?!?!?

      Reply
  21. 193

    Terri Chevalier says

    May 1, 2014 at 8:57 am

    I just wanted you to know that I made my headboard and FINALLY got it installed. Hubby installed 3 pieces of wood onto the bedroom wall (exterior wall) with tap cons and we decided to use velcro on the individual pieces of the headboard. Mine is for a king size bed so i made mine 3 rows of 15 x 15 and now I can change out the headboard anytime I want!
    Wish I could post pics here!

    Reply
  22. 194

    June says

    April 29, 2014 at 11:24 pm

    Thanks for the tutorial—we’re making a headboard ——finally !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • 195

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      April 30, 2014 at 4:46 pm

      Awesome June! Send us pics when you’re done!

      Reply
  23. 196

    Ruthie says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:15 am

    I love this!!! Want to make it in twin for my son but need help with dimensions please help me out! Thanks

    Reply
    • 197

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      March 17, 2014 at 11:40 am

      Ruthie, just decide approx how big you want your squares to be, and then figure out how many you’d need to fit the dimensions of a twin bed. It’s really just a preference thing. Good luck!

      Reply
  24. 198

    june denicola says

    March 6, 2014 at 2:22 am

    Trying to get ideas for headboard . This one is a contender. Not sure about cutting the wood squares . Great instructions. Most don’t have them. Thank You.

    Reply
  25. 199

    audrey says

    January 14, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    WOW! I was about to pull the trigger and buy two twin beds for a guest room redo but now Im totally making this headboard! I didnt want another big project because I’m a project junkie but I can bang this out quickly and it is just lovely! THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

    Reply
    • 200

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      January 14, 2014 at 1:20 pm

      Haha! You’re so super welcome Audrey! Be sure to send us pics when you’re done!!

      Reply
  26. 201

    Sarah says

    January 13, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    Hi! I would like to make two of these for a pair of twin beds, but since sometimes I need the beds to be pushed together into a king sized bed, I’d rather have the headboards attached to the beds. One of the twin beds has a regular frame, the other one is a “motion” bed, so it doesn’t have a metal frame to attach to.

    Do you have any ideas for me to solve this?

    Reply
    • 202

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      January 13, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      Sarah, could you attach one headboard to the bed with the metal frame, and have the other headboard affixed to the wall… and just always move the bed with the attached headboard to the other one? Does that make sense? Would that work for your situation? I’m not familiar with motion beds, so it’s hard for me to make a suggestion on that.

      Reply
  27. 203

    Synease Ivy says

    January 11, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    How do you get the headboard attached to the wall?

    Reply
    • 204

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      January 11, 2014 at 12:55 pm

      Here’s a link describing how we hung our headboard on the wall:
      https://realitydaydream.com/2012/07/dilemma-headboard-over-window-solved.html

      And here’s a link to the hardware we used:
      http://www.amazon.com/Selby-Hardware-Interlocking-Flushmount/dp/B0006LBU70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343144094&sr=8-1&keywords=flush+mount+hardware

      Hope this helps! 🙂

      xo,
      Beth

      Reply
  28. 205

    June says

    January 5, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    Do you have an estimate on how much polyester fiber fill I would need to purchase? Looks like you can purchase it by the pound? Thanks.

    Reply
    • 206

      Bethany @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      January 5, 2014 at 3:26 pm

      June this was so long ago I don’t still have that bag of polyfill. But it was just a large bag that you can get at walmart. I didn’t use all of it.

      Reply
    • 207

      Terri Chevalier says

      June 24, 2015 at 8:30 pm

      You could always wrap your wood in batting (like the kind for quilting) like I did for mine!!!

      Reply
  29. 208

    Unknown says

    July 17, 2013 at 4:48 am

    I guess I’m a little (lot) late to the upholstered headboard….but I’ve been googling them and came across this site. This is the nicest design I’ve seen and I think this is the one I’m going to give a go at. Thanks for posting 🙂

    Reply
  30. 209

    Jen says

    June 13, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Hi Beth,
    Do you know if this headboard would stay standing upright if I extended the 2nd board (the one the squares are glues onto) down to the floor? I can’t mount anything on the walls as I’m renting but really want to give this a go!
    Cheers, Jen

    Reply
  31. 210

    Anonymous says

    June 12, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Hi I just completed this project but I am having a problem with the liquid nails…its not sticking! Its been about a half hour now. Any other ideas?

    Reply
  32. 211

    Anonymous says

    May 29, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    LOVE IT! Am going to give this a go. Have my material ready, off to get wood supplies – any recommendations for staple gun? First DIY project!!

    Reply
    • 212

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      May 30, 2013 at 3:34 am

      Yay! Good luck! We use a heavy duty Upholstery staple gun from Hobby Lobby. As long as it’s specifically meant for upholstery, you should be good. Send pics when you’re done!

      Reply
  33. 213

    Upholstery says

    May 10, 2013 at 10:32 am

    Really i appreciate the effort you made to share the knowledge.The topic here i found was really effective to the topic which i was researching for a long time

    Reply
  34. 214

    Maite - vitoma says

    April 27, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    Genial!!!!

    Reply
  35. 215

    Jen Greyson says

    April 22, 2013 at 3:34 am

    Loved this so much I did this in the trailer too!! I ended up nailing each corner once I got it up there just to make sure it stays on while we go bumping down the road, but it turned out FANTASTIC. I used microfiber. (the kitchen backsplash is in this album too)

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200747580667770&set=a.10200747578947727.1073741828.1109840789&type=1&theater

    Reply
    • 216

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      April 22, 2013 at 11:47 am

      Holy cowwww! That looks awesome! And good call on nailing them right to the wall… with it being an RV and all that jostling around. 🙂 And your backsplash… LOOKS AMAZING! Isn’t it crazy how a couple simple changes can make such a huge difference in a space? Thanks for sending pics!

      Reply
  36. 217

    Laura Mclendon says

    March 17, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I love this it is so pretty! I’m redoing my bedroom right now and need a headboard so this is my answer!! Thank you!

    Reply
  37. 218

    meg-pie says

    March 15, 2013 at 3:11 am

    LOVE THIS! I showed my hubby and he actually agreed to it so looks like I’ll have something to lookforward to this summer once the baby is born that we can make, and afford, for our bedroom! 🙂 Thanks for sharing! <3

    Reply
  38. 219

    Mia Nelson says

    February 9, 2013 at 4:11 am

    Yes! Thanks!! I will do this!!

    Reply
  39. 220

    Mia Nelson says

    February 8, 2013 at 7:47 pm

    Hi there! I’m having a measurement issue! So, I’m working with a cal king. I understand the measurement should be 72″ in width, with a 70″ backboard. Problem is, I don’t know if I should change the measurements of the squares from 10×10 to something else, or simply have an exta (8th) square across. Maybe I Should have a 2″ boarder? What would you do to make this work?

    Reply
    • 221

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      February 8, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Hi Mia! I think having a wider headboard is better than having a slightly too-short headboard, and would even make your bed look more ‘grand’!! I would do 11″ squares… making your headboard 77 inches wide (and make the backboard 75″). Does that make sense?

      Reply
  40. 222

    saedah syakir says

    January 21, 2013 at 2:54 am

    hye beth…. your tutorial is really fascinating. do mind if i wanna shared your tutorial in my blog?? really wanna try make my own headboard.

    Reply
    • 223

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      January 21, 2013 at 3:14 am

      Hi Saedah! We’d love it if you linked to our tutorial, but would prefer than you didn’t share the whole thing on your website. We’d love to see how yours turns out! Be sure to send us the link!! Good luck.

      Reply
  41. 224

    Anonymous says

    January 7, 2013 at 4:47 am

    how many yards of fabric were needed for a queen bed?
    thanks Michelle <3

    Reply
    • 225

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      January 7, 2013 at 7:33 pm

      Fabrics come in different widths, so I can’t tell you how much you’ll need. As I mentioned in the tutorial, you’ll need (18) 13×13 inch squares of fabric for a queen size. So you’ll have to do the math yourself based on the width of your fabric.

      Reply
  42. 226

    Anonymous says

    December 14, 2012 at 7:04 am

    The screws that come with the flushmounts are not very long…did you buy longer ones for the wall side?

    Reply
    • 227

      Nick @ sawdustandembryos says

      December 14, 2012 at 4:23 pm

      We were fortunate enough to get the flush mounts into the the studs when we installed it over the window; but before that we just mounted the headboard to the wall. You can try it and if it doesn’t seem stable use a drywall anchor. Below is a link of a anchoring screw I have been wanting to try.

      http://www.powers.com/product_2314.php

      – Nick

      Reply
  43. 228

    Anonymous says

    December 14, 2012 at 7:01 am

    I just finished spray painting the plywood, now for it to dry and attach the squares! I’m sooo excited! I’ll send you a pic when finished. I do have a question though. Do the interlocking flushmounts have to be on studs in the wall or are they strong enough just in the wall without being exactly on studs? I’m hoping to mount it tomorrow and the studs are not exactly in ideal places for mounting. thanks again!!

    Reply
  44. 229

    Anonymous says

    December 6, 2012 at 3:06 am

    I already bought the wood! Im so excited!!!

    Reply
  45. 230

    Sonia says

    December 4, 2012 at 4:46 am

    I’ve been meaning to dress up an old headboard and your tutorial is perfect. Thanks!

    Reply
  46. 231

    Alix Gorshow says

    November 30, 2012 at 4:23 am

    I LOVE the headboard with the animal print! How did you make the black border?

    Reply
  47. 232

    Karen says

    November 29, 2012 at 5:46 am

    Love the turquoise and chocolate together. I just painted my bedroom chocolate brown with white doors, trim, bookshelves, and white gauzy curtains. I’ve accented in shades of turquoise and hint of lime green. I love it.

    Reply
  48. 233

    Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

    October 7, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    Hi Vicki, I wonder why the link wasn’t working. Here’s the tutorial for how to instal your headboard over the window!

    https://realitydaydream.com/2012/07/dilemma-headboard-over-window-solved.html

    Reply
  49. 234

    Anonymous says

    October 5, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Great Tutorial and hilarious!! I love the drink break! hahaha

    Princess M.

    Reply
  50. 235

    Morgan E says

    September 25, 2012 at 12:30 am

    This is a fantastic idea! I wanted one of these for my dorm so I could give some kind of style to my concrete walls and twin bed. I was looking at a website and found a headboard very similar to this but they were selling it for $1000! That was a definite no so I just said forget it. I’m so happy I found this I so I can still make one but I just don’t know what color to use.

    Reply
  51. 236

    Anonymous says

    August 20, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    I am doing this for sure! It seems like something I can do by myself pretty quickly. After moving into a new apartment this is just what our bedroom needs to shine and bring in some color.:)

    Reply
  52. 237

    Juliana says

    August 20, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    I would love to do this on a twin sized bed. What would those dimensions be-if you could tell me that’d be fantastic

    Reply
  53. 238

    Half Past Eight says

    July 29, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    I love this idea! I really like the one in the pictures above with the nail button border and buttons betweens squares. Do you have tutorial for that one or can you share how you made that one? Your blog is awesome! Glad I stumbled across you on pinterest!

    Reply
  54. 239

    alyssa says

    July 24, 2012 at 3:07 am

    Has anyone tried this with a full size if so,what were the measurements?

    Reply
  55. 240

    reclaiminme says

    July 23, 2012 at 4:15 am

    I love the idea of the poly/fil….cuz foam is A LOT of $$$ for a queen

    Reply
  56. 241

    Bethany says

    July 19, 2012 at 12:23 am

    We globbed the liquid nails on pretty thick, and made sure to put it where the staples were so the glue would have something to really grab onto. And it wouldn’t hurt to put some weight on it while it’s drying.

    Reply
    • 242

      Anonymous says

      July 19, 2012 at 12:59 am

      Could I use the same measurements as a queen for a full?

      Reply
  57. 243

    Anonymous says

    July 18, 2012 at 9:17 pm

    just finished a queen size and are having trouble keeping all the square adhered and are using liquid nails. should we really glob it on? did you put something on top to apply pressure while drying?

    Reply
  58. 244

    Lesley says

    July 8, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    This is gorgeous! I especially love the fabric you chose.

    Lesley
    byporchlight.blogspot.com

    Reply
  59. 245

    Bethany says

    July 3, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    Sara, when we put up our curtains, we attached 2×4’s vertically on the back of both sides of the headboard to give it clearance for the curtains to flow behind. We attached the flush-mounts directly to the 2×4’s. You can see pictures of how we did this in our curtain post here:
    https://realitydaydream.com/2012/02/lace-stencil-curtains.html

    Reply
    • 246

      Vicki says

      October 7, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      I am loving your blog! Great job! I’ve got the same type of room where I want to place a bed in front of the window. I’m still trying to get it in my head how you did this? From the photo of your headboard it doesn’t appear that there’s room on either side of the curtains for the 2×4’s. I don’t see the pictures you refer to in the link shown. please help …lol!

      Reply
  60. 247

    Sara says

    June 30, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    It looks like in the last pictures your headboard is in front of a window. If not, do you have any ideas on how to do this type of headboard for a bed in front of a window? How would you attach it?

    Reply
  61. 248

    Bethany says

    June 29, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    Awesome! Email us pics! We’d love to see it!

    Reply
  62. 249

    Anonymous says

    June 27, 2012 at 11:55 pm

    Thank you so much for this idea, we just finished ours. And for those wondering how much it costs, we spent about $80. We got 3/4 yard of 4 different fabrics. It was a lot of work, but fun!

    Reply
  63. 250

    Jennifer says

    June 8, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Or is there a different way to maount it or keep it standing?

    Reply
  64. 251

    Deniece Frideley says

    June 5, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Does anyone have the dimensions for a full size bed? I would love to make one for my toddler’s big girl bed! I need to locate some pink ladybug fabric this week:)

    Reply
  65. 252

    Lindsay says

    June 3, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    I’m definitely going to be trying this over summer! I’m hoping to redecorate my room…so I’ll have to bookmark this. Thanks!
    http://www.simplysoftbabyloft.etsy.com

    Reply
  66. 253

    Bethany says

    May 11, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    Susan, someone gave us swag lights and we removed the globe and just used the top and bottom brass pieces and added the beads. You can read about it here: https://realitydaydream.com/2011/10/shes-got-swag.html

    Reply
  67. 254

    Susan W. - MS says

    May 11, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    I LOVE your headboard, but more than your headboard, I LOVE THE LAMPS!!! Where did you get them from? And an idea for the person that is making the removable squares….you could might use the rigid foam insulation and cut it to squares. You would have to glue and staple the fabric, but it would be lighter for your velcro to hold. And could use a piece of trim around the bed to help support the squares.

    Thanks for the beautiful inspiration…And the lights!!!

    Reply
  68. 255

    Chase the Star says

    May 4, 2012 at 5:50 am

    Hi! Wanted to tell you that I LOVE your headboard, and you did a great job! LOVE the fabric you used!

    I’m featuring this on my Friday’s Fabulous Furniture Finds at Chase the Star!

    Please go check it out, and grab a button! Congrats!
    http://chase-thestar.blogspot.com/2012/05/fridays-fabulous-furniture-finds-3.html

    {Barbara}

    Reply
  69. 256

    Bethany says

    May 1, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    That’s so beautiful! i love the fabric you chose! Great job!

    Reply
  70. 257

    IdiosyncraZy says

    May 1, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    You inspired me to make this. I have a king size so I made 24 squares. I am not finished yet but I just wanted to say thank you. I could not have done it without you! BTW. Your babies are gorgeous! Check out my progress http://idiosyncrazzy.blogspot.com/2012/05/perfection-will-not-mean.html

    Reply
  71. 258

    Bethany says

    April 28, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    I’m sure if it was sanded down, it wold work fine!

    Reply
  72. 259

    herprettywings says

    April 28, 2012 at 7:54 am

    I absolutely love this project and want to know if it’s possible that the little boards would stick on to an existing headboard by using the liquid nails if the headboard were sanded down or primed. Help! Lol Thanks!

    Reply
  73. 260

    huffmang says

    March 29, 2012 at 11:55 am

    you had me at the title of your blog! 🙂 LOVE IT!!! and then this headboard OMG! can’t wait to make this for our bed ….sooner than later I hope…we are remodeling our house to sell and build a new one…so not so sure it will be soon…but it will at least be on my Pinterest board…waiting 😉 thank you!!

    Reply
  74. 261

    Anonymous says

    March 16, 2012 at 4:28 am

    Where is this fabric from? I love it!!!

    Reply
  75. 262

    Anonymous says

    February 26, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    @anonymous 2/17/12. Thanks for the info on squares and the great tip on Velcro. I am going to try that as well. Please update if you end up with headboard on your head. 🙂

    Reply
  76. 263

    Anonymous says

    February 21, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    OMG your blog is a JOY! Your projects are awesome and your sense of humor and wit just tops it off! Thanks for sharing:)

    Reply
  77. 264

    Anonymous says

    February 18, 2012 at 1:04 am

    I did this for a king sized bed, I made mine 78×38. It was 8 squares across and I made it 4 squares down, I have a big wall to fill, so I actually ended up with 32 squares. I also changed it up a bit by using velcro for the squares so I can change it periodically. Hopefully it will work or we will be waking up with our squares on our heads.

    Reply
  78. 265

    Jenna Schering says

    February 16, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    Your backboard is 2″ smaller in both length and width than your 18 squares. Did they stick out over the edges? Is that how you wanted it?

    Reply
    • 266

      Bethany says

      February 16, 2012 at 2:46 pm

      that’s absolutely how we wanted it. otherwise the tacky unfinished backboard peeks out from behind. we just wanted a crisp line of upholstered squares on the edge.

      Reply
  79. 267

    Anonymous says

    February 14, 2012 at 4:32 am

    I’m currently trying this on a king size bed, I’m very nervous though, I picked a dark gray and an ivory, one has a pattern the other does not.

    Reply
  80. 268

    Anonymous says

    February 11, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    How many yard of fabric do i need? I’m using the same fabric and also for a queen. Thanks so much! PS. I had already picked this same fabric before i even found your tutorial. fate…. Thanks so
    cgdunfield@hotmail.com

    Reply
  81. 269

    Anonymous says

    January 25, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    Thank you so much for the tutorial. I saw a similar project on an HGTV show many years ago using plain fabric with a sheen on one side and they alternated the squares with mate and sheen fabric. I’ve searched the web for days, but nothing. This morning I found you on Pinterest….yeah and thanks!

    Reply
  82. 270

    LDG says

    January 25, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    AnonymousSep 14, 2011 10:08 AM

    “Thanks for putting up a tutorial on how to make one of these. Ever sense you put up your first one, I have wanted one for our bed. So, thanks for the amazing tutorial. And I love the recycling of the extra fabric from the nursery curtains. You ARE inspirational. (Someday, I see you and Nick becoming very well know and wealthy from your home projects…just like your backsplashes)
    -Lynnsey :)”

    I AGREE. You both need your own show on HGTV or DIY network!

    Reply
  83. 271

    Anonymous says

    January 23, 2012 at 4:35 am

    Has anyone done the math on supplies for a king-size?

    Reply
  84. 272

    Bethany says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    it depends on the width of fabric you’re using. you just want to make sure you have enough fabric for (18) 13″ squares (for a queen size headboard)

    Reply
  85. 273

    Marni Michelle says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    How many yards of fabric did it take?

    Reply
  86. 274

    Bethany says

    January 10, 2012 at 12:00 am

    for those of you inquiring about bed sizes, i use this website as a reference.

    http://interiordec.about.com/od/beds/a/bedsizes.htm

    Reply
  87. 275

    Anonymous says

    January 9, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    This is beautiful! What would the dimensions be for a full size with a pillow top? Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  88. 276

    Anonymous says

    January 7, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    I’m sooo happy I found this on pinterest. I have damask fabric that I have wanted to make a headboard out of for over a year.

    Reply
  89. 277

    Tina says

    January 1, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    This is so cool. I’m looking for a headboard for our new king bed and this might be the winner!

    Reply
  90. 278

    Bethany says

    December 29, 2011 at 1:54 am

    Hi Nancy, here’s a link where you can find the fabric we used.

    http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=caa516dc-b6e8-4f97-9c51-70286c1bff86

    Hope that works for ya! good luck!

    Reply
  91. 279

    NashvilleNDP says

    December 28, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    hi there! I was wondering where you got the fabric and if you could tell me the name of it (pattern name or style #) so i could look for it online if i cant find it locally. This would be a FABULOUS choice for my home office I am redoing 🙂

    Thanks!
    Nancy

    Reply
  92. 280

    rmcgibbon says

    December 8, 2011 at 2:59 am

    This is my new project!!! I’ve been looking for a headboard for awhile now and came across your site through Pinterest and this is EXACTLY like what I’ve been looking for! And I’ve been interested in getting crafty for awhile so this is the perfect first project :). Thanks!

    Reply
  93. 281

    desireemay says

    November 29, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    Ok I love this idea. But I have a question/favor is there anyway you could e-mail this to me so that I can print it out in a printable fashion and not from the blog. Thank You. I really want to make this for Christmas this will be most likely one of my first DIY

    Reply
  94. 282

    97e9b85c-17c4-11e1-bd29-000bcdca4d7a says

    November 26, 2011 at 12:21 am

    We made this headboard last weekend! I’m so thankful (hehe) for this blog! You have the greatest ideas, and the best tutorials! It was so easy to follow and I’m so happy with how ours turned out! I was able to use coupons for both the fabric and the other supplies and the estimated cost (queen) was about $40! The one I wanted in the store was over $500, so I’m so pleased! Thanks again!!

    Reply
  95. 283

    Lauren says

    November 25, 2011 at 1:40 am

    Wow that is fantastic! Looks amazing Will you come make me one?

    Reply
  96. 284

    Anonymous says

    November 23, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    Do you have an estimated cost for this? I love it!

    Reply
  97. 285

    Jonna says

    November 22, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    LOVE IT, I have been looking and looking for headboard ideas, this is making the list!

    Reply
  98. 286

    Martha says

    November 22, 2011 at 2:53 am

    This is awesome! Thank you so much for posting this. 🙂

    Reply
  99. 287

    Bethany says

    November 20, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    like i said in a previous comment, a king size bed would be 76″ (opposed to the 60″ for a queen) unless you have a california king, and then it would be 72″.

    you’ll just have to decide how big/how many squares you want.

    Reply
  100. 288

    Anonymous says

    November 20, 2011 at 3:09 am

    Hello, you have so inspired me!! Can’t wait to try this! I know you mentioned 28″x58″ and 18 squares for a queen, may I have measurement for a king? Thanks!

    Reply
  101. 289

    Bethany says

    November 17, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    We cut the backboard to be an inch shorter on all sides so the squares overlap and the backboard doesn’t show at all.

    Reply
  102. 290

    Anonymous says

    November 17, 2011 at 10:02 am

    How do you give the SIDES of the back board a finished look…won’t they be exposed?

    Reply
  103. 291

    Bethany says

    November 16, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    a king size bed would be 76″ (opposed to the 60″ for a queen) unless you have a california king, and then it would be 72″. good luck! send pics when you’re done!!!

    Reply
  104. 292

    Lindsay says

    November 16, 2011 at 6:23 am

    Any idea what the dimensions would be for a king size? I’m crafty, but math…not my strong suit. 😉

    Reply
  105. 293

    Bethany says

    November 14, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    Nikki, for the headboards with the border, we just cut the “back board” to be larger, and upholstered the edges (about 4 inches on all sides) before we attached the upholstered squares. We used some batting under the fabric to make it kinda puffy too.

    Anonymous, like we mentioned in our post, we use interlocking flushmounts to attach it to the wall.

    Reply
  106. 294

    Anonymous says

    November 13, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    what have you found is the best way to mount this to the wall?

    Reply
  107. 295

    simply nikki says

    November 13, 2011 at 4:01 am

    Love this! Was just telling my husband at dinner tonight that a headboard was my next project (after we finished turning a vanity desk into two nightstands that is!). He said it would be hard, and I said no way! Though I really wasn’t sure how true that was… Until now! We could totally do this. Now just gotta measure out for a king bed, and decide my fabric. Quick question, the ones with borders, how did you do that??? I’m thinking you just covered it on the back board? Am I close? Thanks for sharing!!!!

    Reply
  108. 296

    Bethany says

    October 23, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    nope! doesn’t matter what kind of wood! good luck! and send pics when you’re done!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  109. 297

    Anonymous says

    October 23, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    Does it matter what kind of wood I use?

    Reply
  110. 298

    Anonymous says

    October 23, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    I love this! I will give this a try:)

    Reply
  111. 299

    Anonymous says

    October 12, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Thanks!! I am doing mine for a King size bed so we’ll see how it turns out. Thanks again for such a great idea!

    Reply
  112. 300

    Bethany says

    October 12, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    We just used two flushmounts. Email us pics when you’re done! Let us know if you have any other questions… can’t wait to see it!

    Reply
  113. 301

    Anonymous says

    October 12, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    I LOVE it too! I am going to make one next weekend… How many interlocking flushmounts did you need to secure it to the wall?? Thanks!

    Reply
  114. 302

    Clarissa W. says

    October 7, 2011 at 5:13 am

    That’s gorgeous!!!

    Reply
  115. 303

    Jenn says

    September 22, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    That looks SO easy! I love how it turned out with the sheer fabric hanging down beside it. Beautiful!

    Reply
  116. 304

    Lyndsey says

    September 17, 2011 at 3:30 am

    Love it. Awesome fabric for this project.

    Reply
  117. 305

    Sarah says

    September 16, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    That is amazing! Even more amazing that you accomplished it with babies! I’m pinning this so I can do it…eventually. 🙂

    Reply
  118. 306

    craftedniche says

    September 15, 2011 at 1:21 am

    Love your blog! I’m your newest follower thanks to my college roommate Bonnie Schaul Panicko! She said I absolutely had to check you out.

    Dana
    craftedniche.wordpress.com

    Reply
  119. 307

    Anonymous says

    September 14, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    Thanks for putting up a tutorial on how to make one of these. Ever sense you put up your first one, I have wanted one for our bed. So, thanks for the amazing tutorial. And I love the recycling of the extra fabric from the nursery curtains. You ARE inspirational. (Someday, I see you and Nick becoming very well know and wealthy from your home projects…just like your backsplashes)
    -Lynnsey 🙂

    Reply
  120. 308

    Ry and Heather says

    September 14, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    You are so inspirational! I have A MILLION little projects around my house I want to try because of your tutorials and making it look so easy! I DEFINITELY need to try this…my room is looking pretty sad! Thank you thank you for the tutorial!

    Reply
  121. 309

    Anonymous says

    September 14, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    How much are you asking for this one? Very interested! 🙂

    Reply
  122. 310

    Mallorie says

    September 14, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    WOW…I am SO IMPRESSED, that is BEAUTIFUL! I wish I didn’t already have one million DIY projects to work on!!! I would totally do this!

    Reply
  123. 311

    .Amelia.Bedelia. says

    September 14, 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Ohh mercy, this is fantastic! …. the teal print totally makes it! I wish we didn’t have a headboard on our bed now! HA! [wink]

    -Amy

    Reply
  124. 312

    Mandy says

    September 14, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    I am definately giving this a try!!! I need some major help in our guest room and this just may be the ticket!

    Not sure if I am quite ready for patterned fabric yet 🙂

    Thanks for the idea!

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
Please feel free to share or pin my posts! You're welcome to use ONE of my images (no collages or pinnables) with a link back to the corresponding post. Please do not edit or crop that single image in any way. Improper use of my photos, ideas or words is a violation of copyright. Thank you!

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

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