DIY Fabric Headboard with Nailhead Trim
Ok, y’all I promised you the details for my daughter’s DIY fabric headboard reveal. When I decided that I wanted to make our daughter a queen headboard, I originally wanted an upholstered curved and stepped-down design. When I decided to finish the headboard with individual brass upholstery nails instead of the more commonly used nailhead trim kit, I thought a more simple shape would be easier.
In the end, I have to say that this DIY fabric headboard is pretty easy to make and affordable too.
DIY Fabric Headboard with Brass Nailhead Trim
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List of materials
- liquid nails
- MDF board
- batting
- 2″ upholstery foam
- fabric (I used 1 set of Ikea Sanela curtains for $40)
- staples for your staple gun
- spray adhesive
- two 2x4s
- long wood screws to attach the legs
- Upholstery Tack Strip
Tools needed:
- pliers
- electric staple gun
- Rubber Mallet
- 1/2″ Cardboard Upholstery Tack Strip
- brass upholstery nails
- Quick Nailer Spacer (loved this thing)
- sharp scissors for cutting fabric
DIY fabric headboard instructions:
I bought the MDF board from Lowes and had them cut it down to 64″ wide. I kept the height which is 49″ and I used the rest of the MDF board to double up the shape of the headboard which made it really heavy. If you want it to be lighter then I advise you to use the partial board.
I glued the MDF scraps to the perimeter of the large MDF piece with liquid nails and then drew the corner curves to it. After that, I cut out the corner round shapes. I have to admit that the hubby had to help with that step because it took a lot of strength to cut through the 2 thick layers of MDF with the jigsaw.
This is what it looked like after these steps:
For the legs of the of the headboard, I used 2x4s which I also doubled up so the legs could hold the weight of the queen headboard. I offset the taller back layer of the legs though so they wouldn’t be visible from the sides as you can see in the photos.
One shorter piece of 2×4 is there to support the weight under the headboard and the taller 2×4 is offset behind it to stabilize the construction. I attached them all with liquid nails and screws.
After that, I cut and glued the foam to the front of the MDF with spray adhesive. I was lucky enough to have some 2″ foam left in our attic and I only had to buy half of the amount needed. This is where I missed a photo step. Must have been my sticky hands! I left a 1.5″ gap between the foam and the edge of the MDF so I could have room for my upholstery nails. If you don’t offset the foam then you don’t have anywhere to easily hammer in the upholstery nails at the end. So make sure you don’t miss this step.
After that I wrapped the headboard and legs in batting and stapled it to the back:
The next step was the fabric. I decided to use a set of Ikea Sanela curtains for my headboard and tailored bedskirt (I will explain that later) you can’t beat the price of $40 for the quality of the fabric. And the amount worked out perfectly. At the end only a few scraps were left.
I bought an electric stapler (like THIS one) just for this purpose and I was pretty happy with it. My heavy duty air compressor stapler was way to loud to use inside for this longer amount of time which is why I used my hand stapler.
The transitions between the headboard and legs were solved with Upholstery Tack Strips
. This works really really well for the edges of the bed instead of just folding the fabric to the back and stapling it inn.
You put down the fabric, lay the cardboard Upholstery Tack Strip down over it and right aligned with the edge/side of the headboard. Then you staple the upholstery tack strip in place (arrow 1) and then fold the fabric over (arrow 2), pull it tight and staple it in place at the back side of the headboard.
Which will give it the below finished edge look.
This is just demonstrated on a smaller piece of fabric in a better lighting situation. (Not an actual part of the headboard)
After that it was time for the upholstery nails and I’m so glad that I went with the larger individual brass nails. I like the tight and neat look they give the edge. it’s not lumpy the way it sometimes looks with the nail kits. My trick to this application was this little tool, a Quick Nailer Spacer
:
I put the nails into the spacers of the tool, tapped them deeper in place with the mallet and then removed the spacer and finished hammering them all the way in with the mallet. That’s it! It really wasn’t that hard. I just needed a couple of practice runs.
This is why I left the 1.5″ gap between the edge of the MDF and the foam, so I would have room for the nails.
My last and final step was to use another layer of cardboard tack strip and fabric along the edge of the MDF that was stapled to the back of the headboard to give it a tailored, professional, and finished look. At least that’s what I went for. You be the judge of the finished product 😉
Below you can see the beautiful finished edge from the upholstery tack strip.
So this is how I made the DIY fabric headboard. And I almost didn’t get it up the stairs with a friend, that’s how huge it is. Looking back, I think I could have totally handled the Jonathan Adler headboard shape. The hardest part of making this headboard was lifting and turning it around during the process. My back was killing me.
The room’s paint color is Behr W-B-100 Billowy Clouds by the way and the comforter set is the Emmie Ruta set from Ikea (not available anymore). I really really love it.
Back to the bed skirt. I actually sewed panels and attached them (just like last time) with velcro. The one side of the velcro strip is hot glued to her box spring. This eliminates having to remove a mattress to be able to wash the bed skirt. It’s seriously so much easier.
If you aren’t a fan of DIYing then you can get a similar look with the headboard below.
Here is a photo of her old original room:
Which evolved to this room:
{SOURCES: bedding HERE | rug HERE | chair HERE | downloadable artwork HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE | colorful diamond pillows from Ikea Germany | lamps HERE | shades from Target not available anymore | similar greek key pillow HERE | light HERE or similar light HERE| desk Ikea or similar desk HERE | flooring HERE
And recently changed to dark blue walls in this room:
{SOURCES: rug HERE | duvet HERE | rug HERE | throw from HomeGoods | similar bed HERE or HERE | my Ikea home decor post HERE | curtains HERE | mudcloth pillow HERE | colorful diamond pillows from Ikea Germany | lamps HERE | shades from Target not available anymore | light HERE or similar light HERE | macrame chair HERE | similar throw in macrame chair HERE | lava lamp HERE | rainbow pillow HERE }
All the work was totally worth it. I had sold my daughter’s previous bedroom items on Craigslist and used that money to redo her room. I ended up staying pretty much within budget.
Talk to you on Friday.
Tschüß
(Youleeya)
UPDATE: Come see what the room evolved into.
This is one of my favorite projects of yours Julia! Everything looks so neat and professional. I never knew they made a spacer, that makes perfect sense! I’ll be pinning this for future reference for sure. Thanks for the great tips and tutorial!
It’s beautiful! I can’t figure out how you got the seam to run along the curve of the headboard so perfectly, but you did a fantastic job. It really does look like it was professionally upholstered. I love it!
Great tutorial. Never knew that a spacer tool was even available for that sort of thing. Looks amazing.
Thanks John, I actually didn’t either 😉
I want to try a headboard again after reading your tutorial. I didn’t know about the spacer tool or the cardboard edging strips. It looks amazing!
i wish you lived closer so we could thrift and make stuff and love our pets and drink together all the time.
SAME FEELINGS HERE !!!
Liebe Jrieße, Katrin
This looks crazy professional! You are a a master! How did you get the seam along the curve? That is the part that frightens me!
Woah, Julia! That is gorgeous! I was wondering how you got the nail heads so perfectly in line. I’m going to have to get one of those spacers…never knew it existed! The bed looks amazing!
Oh…& I’m LOVING your new header! Bring on the gold sparkle! LOVE it!
It seriously looks so good! What a lucky little girl!
It’s perfect — a “professional” could not do better. I am so impressed!!! Gorgeous room! I noticed the faux chandelier in your post earlier this week and found something similar on eBay for my daughter’s room.
Thanks Kim. I actually got the chandelier at Urban Outfitters a couple of years ago.
I love the idea of using Ikea Sanela curtains! They truly are the best deal for the quality! And that blue is one of my favorites, paired with brass nail heads – perfection!
I LOVE how this headboard came out!!! This is exactly how I want mine to look, except a little shorter. I don’t quite understand the cardboard tack strip, but I guess I can google it to find out more about it. About how many tacks did you use? I have a king-size board I want to do and would be great to have a frame of reference of how many tacks I will need.
This is beautiful! What a lucky little girl. The Ikea curtain idea is genius because fabric is always what drives the price up. I love all your creative ideas! Thanks for sharing.
[email protected]
Thanks for visiting 😉 Dee
Beautiful Julia. I’m adding it to my ‘One day I’ll do’ list. 🙂
I actually prefer the shape you chose. It’s perfect with the fabric (drapes) and brass tacks. Wonderful job, Julia. It looks professionally done!
It truly turned out so good, Julia! I love how you used the same fabric for the skirt, it looks more like an entire upholstered bed. Thanks for sharing your resources, too! I need some of that cardboard tack strip and the spacer tool looks like a lifesaver!
Wowzers!! Look at you go! amazing. I am in love with it, and it looks professionally upholstered. I was actually looking at those same curtains to make cushions for my benches out of – you can’t find velvet for a better price anywhere else.
Want to come down to San Diego? wink. wink. A headboard for my 6 yr old girl is on my ever-expanding “Amy-Do-It” list, but I lack all motivation right now. You sure have one lucky little girl! 🙂 Tschüß
OMG! My jaw ACTUALLY dropped when I saw this project! That has to be the most impressive, professional looking DIY headboard I think I’ve ever seen. DYING. I died. Pinning!
Although I will never attempt this, you have made it so simple to follow all the steps….Maybe someday, because I love that headboard!
Stunning Julia! I love the color scheme of this room and the headboard is killer!
It’s gorgeous, Julia! I LOVE the size and it looks so professional, that spacer is the ticket! I absolutely think you could have handled the more difficult one, next time! 🙂
oh! my it’s a lot, a lot of work and I’m sure your back must hurt very much but it was worth it, you did a beautiful job Julia 🙂 I had to read your steps a few times because I didn’t know that some of these things existed and I’m really impressed how you managed to do everything 🙂
I really love your daughter’s headboard, I wish I had something like that when I was growing up or even now (ours is too simple) 🙂
thanks for sharing all these steps with us too (great tutorial)
Great tutorial! You did such a fabulous job. It looks so so professional. I still can’t get over the brass. MM MM MMMMM!
Thanks so so much
Seriously so beautiful! I love the headboard and especially love the color!! I’m glad I’m not the only one who struggles with documenting my DIY’s, you however did a great job with this one!!
GREAT project!
The headboard is gorgeous and so professional looking! I love that Jonathan Adler bed too. I think you went with the right shape though. Good call.
Soooo, I’ve had 2 headboards that I had my boyfriend cut out of MDF (in the same EXACT pattern as yours), the fabric, and the nail head(kit) for hmmm… 2 years now? lol I’m so afraid to start them! Especially since I spent so much on the fabric. Yours turned out super professional looking. I love the cardboard tackstrip idea! When I eventually build up the courage, I think I’m going to try that method. 🙂
Das ist großartig geworden, superschön, Julia! Auch die Vorhänge sind so hübsch.
Und die Ikea Vorhänge werde ich ab jetzt nochmal mit anderen Augen sehen, prima Tipp. Habe sie in pilzfarbig in der dunklen Jahreszeit an den Fenstern, dieses aqua ist aber viel schöner…
LG, Katrin
Wow this headboard is gorgeous. I love how straight your brass pins are. This looks flawless. I didn’t quite understand the step with the cardboard strips. Somewhat, but I didn’t get how you got the fabric to be taught once you flipped it over and how you got the corners by the circles so sharp and flat. I would love to know more about that 🙂
You’re making me wish I needed a headboard somewhere!
This tutorial is awesome. Seriously! I am crazy about the color of the velvet with the gold nailheads, and insanely impressed that you were able to keep them so perfect, especially around the curves!
Julia, great job on this tutorial. The headboard turned out wonderful. I really need to get up the courage to try this project myself. We have a guest bed still with no headboard!
It looks like a pro did it. Great job!! I think a headboard is going to be the next upholstery project I attempt. You made it look manageable. 😉
I was wondering if you used the cardboard strips when I first saw the headboard! I have used those in the past and it really does give you a nice finished edge. I still am in awe of your individual nail head skills. I have that tool and I still couldn’t get them straight! Kudos to you my friend, it is just a spectacular headboard, I love it!
This is beautiful! Better than any I see in stores. The color and metal accents are perfect.
Absolutely beautiful! The color is great and the real brass nail head trim makes it!!
You did an amazing job Julia!
WOW! That is gorgeous! Every detail. I would love to make one for our king sized bed, but not sure I could tackle it. I’m in awe of your talent!
The headboard is amazing, simply stunning!! How the heck did I miss it earlier this month?
your headboard turned out so pretty, i would love to feature it, if that would be ok please let me know,
lauren
It turned out great and very professional looking!
Why does the tutorial pic have a smooth wrapped edge and the finished project had a sewn seamed edge like a cushion cover?
Stunning Julia!! Can you tell me the name of the beautiful fabric you used for the drapery as well? Thanks!!
Wonderful stuff. Bundle of thanks!!!
is bubblegum casting legitimate
Love it! I’ve been looking at many DIY bedheads (since we don’t have any at the moment). But this made me kick it off tonight. I bought the MDF and timber at 8:45pm (just before the hardware shop closed).
Thank you for all the details (much needed, and inspiring).
I’m going shopping tomorrow to get the rest of the upholstery stuff!
Good luck!
Beautifully made headboard. Excellent tutorial. I’m plotting to recreate my own right now, but I have a few questions:
1) what thickness MDF did you use?
2) why did you double up on the thickness of the MDF around the edges?
3) to make the clean fabric covered edges at the end, how is the fabric adhered to the side? I know it is stapled from the back, but is it glued with something along the edge?
– Andrea
It’s about 1/2″ thick and I doubled it to make the edges look thicker so I could finish them with the cardboard tack strip. I just like the look better.
And the cardboard tack strip is only stapled the way I’m showing in the photos not glued. Hope that helps and good luck with your project.
What was your method to draw the cut-outs so neatly?
I used a ruler and the curved parts where mostly freehand but you can use anything large that is curved like a large bucket to trace for example.
Beautiful headboard. I am featuring this on my site if you don’t mind.
I don’t mind at all if it’s only photo with a link back. Thanks for letting me know!
Hi Julia!
LOVE the headboard! I’m inspired to make my own this weekend for my bedroom! Then I get what I want, for WAY less money! I just had 3 questions! I’m motivated to make mine look as beautiful as yours!
1.) When you put the foam on the front, did it overlap onto where you “doubled” up the MDF? I just wasn’t sure if it would look funny mostly covering the less thick part, and the edges of it on the thicker part (if the front would look uneven with it being thicker at the edges). Or was all of the foam “inside” of the doubled up edge?
2.) On the “offset” on the back of the legs, when you upholstered that part, did you just put a staple in the “inside corner”, or was that somehow done with that uphostery strip? I didn’t see a staple visible in the picture, but wasn’t sure how that particular area would be done with the strip.
3.) Do you have any idea how many tacks you used? I see they come in sets of 100, but I’m not sure how many I’ll need!
Thanks!
Awesome work!
Ooops….disregard my “foam placment” question! I see now that that “double up” is on the back, so the front is a smooth surface! Makes more sense! Just a blonde moment!
Amy
I’m so sorry that I missed your comment.
Hope a late response still works for you 😉
to 2. Yes I just stapled in the back and then used the upholster strip.
3. I’m sorry but I have no idea how many tacks I used. I remember having to buy more and now I have some left over.
great job on the headboard. now I’m wondering where you sourced the curtains?
Hi there Denise and thank you. Her window curtains I made myself, the curtains used for the headboard are from Ikea.