One of my fave ways to make a bedroom feel cosier is to add an upholstered headboard – they bring texture, colour, comfort, interest and a high-end feeling. 

And the best part? They’re SUPER easy to make – even if you’ve never upholstered! 

So, I’m sharing the step-by-step on how I made one for Zak’s bedroom – it only took me an hour! 

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1.9cm MDF Board (1.35m x 40cm – for a standard double bed) – Plywood would work too!
  • 3.8cm Firm Density Foam (Same size as the board)
  • 4oz Polyester Wadding/ Batting (About 20 cm larger in length and width than the MDF board)
  • Fabric (About the same size as the wadding) – I had a smaller piece of fabric, and it was almost not enough!!!
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
  • Upholstery Nails/ Carpet Tacks- Optional (I like using them on the corners)
  • Magnetic Tack Hammer – Optional
  • Heavy-Duty D-Ring Hooks
  • Measuring Tape
  • Pencil
  • Drill
  • Screws

Tip: You can find most of the materials on eBay.

And here are the steps I followed:

STEP 1: Lay out the board and attach to the back 3 heavy-duty d-rings.

I left 10cm from the top edges and 10 cm from the side edges of the headboard. I installed two on the sides and one in the middle.

STEP 2: Start layering the materials in the following order:

  1. The fabric with the right side (the one you want to show) facing out.
  2. The wadding
  3. The foam

Tip: Make sure everything is smooth and well-stretched.

STEP 3: Spray the adhesive all over the foam.

STEP 4: Place the board on top of the foam, making sure it is centred and aligned.

STEP 5: Start stapling the wadding and the fabric to the board, pulling it tightly and stretching it as you go.

Start with the headboard’s top and bottom, leaving the corners for last.

Tip: The corners can be tricky, but cutting out any excess wadding and fabric will make it much easier and give a better finish.

STEP 6: Then place 3 screws on the wall where the headboard will go.

Then just hung it like a picture frame.

P.S. I’ll post another video on my hack to make it super easy to find the right place to position the screws. So stay tuned!

And ta-dah…

Here’s the headboard!

So, did I manage to inspire you to make one too? Or have you done one before and have any tips about making it?

Let me know below, I would love to hear!

And if you have any questions, just leave them in the comments or email me hello@bloominghomesociety.com and I’ll get back to you!

To a colourful life,

Ju xx