DIY (with dad) Headboard

In order to cut the cost of my outrageous decorating taste (I learned from the best, Dee), Alex & I decided it would be best to try and make our own headboard.  With the help of some DIY websites and my wonderfully handy father, we were able to create a really great look on a very low budget.

Materials Needed:
1.  Cute fabric- 2.5 yards for a queen
2.  Batting/Fiberfill- 2.5 yards of this as well.
3.  Plywood: 2 @ 30” long x 4” wide (legs)  & 1 1/4" sheet of 4x8 cut down to 60" x  29" (frame)
4.  Staple gun and upholstery staples
5.  Wood Glue
6.  Fabric Glue (optional)
7.  Hammer
8.  Decorative Nail heads (optional)

Directions:

Step 1:  Assemble the wood frame
Place the legs at the edge of the headboard and secure with wood glue.

Step 2:  Attach the batting
Wrap the foam batting around the edge of the board and secure with a staple gun.

Step 3:  Upholster the Headboard (aka staple gun the edges)
Fold your chosen fabric around the wood frame and newly applied foam padding.  Secure the edges with your staple gun like we just did for the foam.  Hammer in any loose staples that did not go completely through the fabric.

Step 4 (optional): Upholster the legs
Wrap extra yardage around the legs and secure with fabric glue.  This is not necessary, but I had enough fabric and I thought it would look properly finished so I decided to give it a try.

Step 5:  Apply Nail heads
I decided to use the nail heads on just the sides of my headboard (This method can be used for a boarder as well).  Space nail heads 3 inches apart and secure in place with a hammer. 

Finito!

Cost Breakdown:

Linen Fabric- free!  (the perks of having a mother whose an interior designer)

Nail Heads- $.04/ea x 50 = $2

Batting- $18

Wood- $30

Glue- $5

Nail gun + Staples- free (on loan from my father)

Total:  $55!!