Homage

Happy Monday! We have declared this week to be “DIY Week” here at Homage. To celebrate, we will be posting fabulous DIY projects AND launching our DIY page (see tab at the top). The page will feature photos and instructions for a variety of DIY projects, including some submitted by YOU our readers. Email before and after shots of any type of DIY decorating to homageblog (at) gmail (dot) com. Check the tab often for fresh inspiration! How many times can I say “DIY” in this paragraph? Do I feel an Homage drinking game coming on…….? Using Diet Coke, of course

The first project on the agenda is one of my favorites – a DIY upholstered headboard. This project was inspired by desperation: I prefer an eclectic look and I have decor-commitment issues, so an expensive headboard (much less a full bedroom set) is out of the question. My first attempt at upholstering a headboard was for my college apartment. My father purchased a piece of plywood the size of my queen size bed and my mother crafted a fitted slipcover. It looked like so:

I loved it, and I loved that we made it together, but that was…..let’s just say a few years ago……and I was ready for a change. So, in a matter of one afternoon, I turned it into this:

Ingredients (this is MY kind of recipe!):

1. Plywood that is cut to fit the size of your bed. Mine sits directly on the floor and the bed frame screws into it. I did not put anything between the board and the floor (ahem….our bed doesn’t move TOO much…), but if you are concerned you could hot-glue felt to the bottom.
2. Batting. I found some at the fabric store that comes on a roll and is sold by the yard. I made sure it covered the part of the board from the bed frame to the top, with enough to wrap over the edges. I think it was approximately 4 inches thick.
3. Fabric. Make sure the piece you are using is large enough to cover the front and wrap over the three sides (edges and top) comfortably (six inches should be enough). I used velvet with some stretch to it, and it worked like a dream. If you are using a print, make sure you want to deal with keeping it straight. I am not that motivated.
4. Buttons (if you are going for the tufted look).
5. A very long needle (if you are using buttons).
6. Thick thread (again, for the buttons).
7. Upholstery nails.
8. A staple gun.
9. A drill.

Steps:

1. Decide on your tufting “pattern” and drill holes where you want the buttons to go. Measure and mark them first, trust me. I started with very small holes and had to go back and make them bigger. In this case, bigger is better
2. Cover the board with batting. Staple in the middle of the top, the middleof the bottom, the middle of the right side, and the middle of the left side. Continue that pattern, working your way evenly to the corners. Do the corners last and staple the batting such that it lays flat.
3. Cover the board with the fabric, using the same pattern as previously described. Make sure it is straight (especially if it has a pattern) and is stretched tight but not TOO tight. You don’t want it drooping, but if you are going to tuft it there needs to be a little give. This is where stretchy fabric is a plus.
4. To create tufts: pound an upholstery nail into the back of the headboard approximately 1 inch below each of the holes that you drilled. Thread the needle and push it through the holes from the backside to the front. Slide the button on and push the needle back through. Pull the button tight against the headboard and tie the thread around the nail. I created this method by trial and error. There are probably many better ways, but it worked for me.
5. Sit back and admire your creation.

My headboard makeover was inspired by the one featured on {freckles chick}. Make sure you check out her how-to post for some better tips

I found these on Three Men and a Lady along with a great explanation.

Also make sure you check out Decorpad for a ton of inspirational photos.

Here are some of my favorites:

Make sure you check out the DIY tab for our first submission – Jamie’s husband made an entire bed AND upholstered it. What a guy!

Sweet dreams!

Tags: bedrooms, DIY, Home Decor, inspiration photos