Tatertots and Jello

COLORFUL HAPPY HOME -- Daily DIY, Decor, Craft and Recipe Tutorial

  • My Home
    • 1905 Cottage
    • Daybreak House
  • DIY
    • DIY Projects and Ideas
    • Organizing
    • Tutorials
    • Printables
  • Decor
    • Spring Projects
    • Summer Projects
    • Fall Projects
  • Crafts
    • Kids Crafts
    • Painting Projects
    • Paper Projects
    • Sewing
    • Wreaths
  • Holidays
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • HAPPY Holidays Series!
  • Recipes

Explore

  • my home
  • diy
  • decor
  • crafts
  • holiday
  • printables
  • recipes

Connect

Home » diy » Upholster an Existing Headboard (tutorial)!!

diy, my home, tutorial · August 6, 2012

Upholster an Existing Headboard (tutorial)!!

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
962
962Shares

Here’s an easy way to change the look of a room.

When I was redoing my guest room, I had a headboard in that room that I had bought about 10 years ago and I still loved the curved shape of the headboard.

So I decided to try to upholster that headboard. And it turns out that it was easy to do.

I ordered some fabric from Spoonflower.com – I love that place! It is a little more expensive than buying fabric from your local fabric store, but there are thousands of awesome patterns there that you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, you can design your own fabric and then have it made up and make something with that. How cool is that??? I am going to try designing some fabric one of these days.

The pattern I ordered is called Medallions in Mushroom.

This is what I did:

  • I took an old foam mattress cover and cut it to cover the headboard. I just laid it in the floor and then put the headboard on top and traced the shape onto the foam and then cut out the foam.

  • Then I laid the foam on top of the headboard and wrapped the headboard with two layers of batting. I attached the batting with my staple gun on the back of the headboard.

  • Then I did the same thing with the fabric that I had done with the foam. I laid the fabric on the floor with the right side of fabric side down, then I laid the headboard face down onto the fabric. Then I cut the shape of the headboard out of the fabric, leaving 8 inches all the way around to leave room to wrap the fabric around the back of the headboard and also to fold the cut edge under before I stapled. The bottom of the headboard was a little tricky to upholster because it has a wood piece at the bottom that I had to work around. But I knew that the wood piece would not show so I didn’t upholster that.

 

  • If your headboard had legs, it looks good to upholster them because they might stick out from under your bedskirt. I am really happy that I upholstered mine.
  • As you staple the fabric to the headboard, start at one end and then work your way around, pulling the fabric taught as you go. You want the fabric to be tight.

I was going to add a row of upholstery tacks to the outside of the headboard, but I decided that I liked it just the way it was. And if you don’t have an existing headboard, you can upholster an old door or get a piece of plywood cut and upholster that. The possibilities are endless!!

All in all, it took me 30 minutes to turn my drab headboard into something new!!

 

I’m almost ready for the full room reveal – it’s been a really fun project.

And I am also almost done with the next-door bathroom reveal. YAY! Here are the tutorials on some of the other elements in the room:

DIY Beachy Beaded Chandelier Tutorial

Painted Greek Key Rug Tutorial

How to Replace Sliding Closet Doors with Standard Doors

Make a Duvet Out of a Fabric Shower Curtain

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it so much!!

And if you wonder how to make a Tufted DIY Headboard, check this tutorial out from Amy at The Idea Room!

Have a Wonderful Day!

xox

 

The whole reveal coming up soon!!

962
962Shares

Posted By: Jen · In: diy, my home, tutorial

21 Beautiful DIY Project Ideas!!
Fall Project — Make a Back To School Mantel

You’ll Also Love

Make Your Home Cozier with Boucle!
Things I Love This Week
One of my favorite things about Easter is setting a beautiful table! There are so many different colors and ways you can create a gorgeous Easter tablescape. And they aren't hard! Check out these 12 Beautiful Easter Tablescape Ideas!!12 Beautiful Easter Tablescape Ideas!

Comments

  1. www.Filedropper.com says

    July 13, 2014 at 6:57 PM

    each time i used to read smaller content which also clear their
    motive, and that is also happening with this piece of writing
    which I am reading here.

  2. playstation plus gratuit 1 mois says

    June 26, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    I really likе reading a post that can make people think.
    Αlso, thank you for allowing me to comment!

  3. superlisa says

    June 21, 2014 at 1:53 AM

    Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m
    going to return yet again since i have book marked it.

    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to
    guide other people.

  4. Lisa G. says

    April 12, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    Love the projects! You have a great eye for mixing patterns and great attention to detail. Wonderful!! I never leave comments, but I couldn’t resist after seeing your DIY projects.

  5. keisha says

    May 31, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    What kind of fabric do you recommend? Linen? Or regular cotton?

  6. lamia says

    February 14, 2013 at 2:20 PM

    thank you so much . I really love it and I will definitely try to do the same thing for my bed
    THANKS for the easy idea !!! 😉

    • Jen says

      February 14, 2013 at 11:44 PM

      Thanks for the comment!! Good luck making your own. Let me know if you have any questions!!

      [email protected]

      xoxo

  7. Anna says

    November 30, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    I have a black leather headboard but I want to cover it up with fabric, do you think your method would be possible still?

  8. Laura says

    November 25, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Cute, is that a full or queen size? I have a queen and wondering how much fabric to get? Thanks!

  9. Michelle says

    October 24, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    So excited to try this DIY project! Love the fabric website too. Do you have any suggestions on patrerns to avoid for headboards (too small, busy, or large)? Also what grade fabric did you use? There are several options to choose from on the website.

  10. DO or DIY says

    September 22, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    This turned out great. And those red pillows are the perfect accent. Where did you find them?

  11. Jessica says

    September 5, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    I have a full size headboard I’d like to do this too but not sure how much fabric to get. I can DIY up a storm but with fabric I always fall short. Advice?

  12. beckie says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    We have twinsie headboards in our guest rooms! HA!

    • Jen says

      August 10, 2012 at 12:13 AM

      LOL – I just realized that!! I love yours and it’s cooler because you painted it!

      xoxo

  13. Miss Charming says

    August 7, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Love your choice of patterns. (I’m going to have to check out your fabric source.) Wonderful job, Jen!

  14. Emily @ Cinnamon Design Studio says

    August 6, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    Oh wow! Brilliant!

  15. MiMi says

    August 6, 2012 at 8:43 PM

    Funny, Jen, I’m working on two different upholstery projects right now!

  16. Jen says

    August 6, 2012 at 4:53 PM

    Beautiful! I love everything in the room!

  17. Kelly says

    August 6, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    awesome!! love the fabric, those patterns are so amazing!

  18. Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says

    August 6, 2012 at 10:40 AM

    Perfect! I love the fabric!!!

  19. mcclintockb says

    August 6, 2012 at 8:17 AM

    How much fabric did you order?

    • Jen says

      August 6, 2012 at 7:52 PM

      I ordered 3 yards but only used about 2 yards of material 🙂

      xoxo

  20. Jenny@EvolutinofStyle says

    August 6, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    It’s looking great! The headboard is fabulous – gorgeous pattern and so custom!

  21. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    August 6, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    Great tutorial, Jen! You did a wonderful job. 🙂 Love the beautiful fabric!

  22. Jen says

    August 6, 2012 at 12:51 AM

    Thanks Jessi!! It was easier than I thought it would be. I think the trick was pulling the fabric taut.

    xoxo

  23. Jessi @ Practically Functional says

    August 6, 2012 at 12:48 AM

    I love that headboard! You make it look so easy, and it turned out SUPER cute!

Hi! I'm Jen Hadfield. I'm a mom of 5 restoring an 1891 home in the heart of Salt Lake City. I love being creative and sharing simple ideas to make your life easier and more beautiful!

Receive the Latest Crafts, DIY, Recipes and More in your INBOX!

Follow us on Pinterest! It's awesome!

Top Posts & Pages

Spruce up Your Outdoor Space with a DIY Recirculating Fountain! (tutorial)
A New Deck in Under 30 Minutes!
Copycat Panera Spinach and Artichoke Egg Soufflés - SO good!
12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise!
DIY Secret: How to Print on Post-It Notes (and Free Printable Template)
Mother's Day Cup Holder Gift Basket

 

Popular Posts

  • Spruce up Your Outdoor Space with a DIY Recirculating Fountain! (tutorial)
    Spruce up Your Outdoor Space with a DIY Recirculating Fountain! (tutorial)
  • A New Deck in Under 30 Minutes!
    A New Deck in Under 30 Minutes!
  • Copycat Panera Spinach and Artichoke Egg Soufflés - SO good!
    Copycat Panera Spinach and Artichoke Egg Soufflés - SO good!
  • 12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise!
    12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise!
  • DIY Secret: How to Print on Post-It Notes (and Free Printable Template)
    DIY Secret: How to Print on Post-It Notes (and Free Printable Template)
  • Mother's Day Cup Holder Gift Basket
    Mother's Day Cup Holder Gift Basket
  • The BEST Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Recipe!
    The BEST Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Recipe!

As seen in





Amazon Affiliate

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
  • About Me
  • Advertising
  • Get Featured

Copyright © 2025 Tatertots and Jello · Privacy
This site is a place for positive discussion and ideas. Negative talk, comments that disparage others, and similar are not welcome and may be removed.

962