Since my last bedroom redo, I've been dying for a headboard. I've been drooling over this one from Crate & Barrell but $1,800 is really out of our price range. We haven't had a headboard since we got married which drives me crazy because David puts pillows behind him in order to create a make-shift one. So, I buckled down and made my own.
This has been a project on my list for months and months but I never got around to it because living in an apartment and doing a project that involves a jig-saw and a 72 inch piece of plywood don't really mesh. The last time I was in Arizona, I decided this was my chance since I knew I would be driving back to San Diego in my parents' SUV.
As much as I would have loved to find a lovely piece of fabric to upholster it with, I finally decided that a solid color was better for this project. I didn't want anything to compete with my pillows which I love and the cost was a lot lower for plain ol' colored fabric. First, we went to Tempe Sales (a great resource for anyone in Arizona) where I snagged this blue canvas for $1 a yard. Not the most exciting color but I like blue and, heck, it was $1! Tempe Sales also had a great price on foam so I purchased a 2 inch thick piece of foam for roughly $10. Home Depot was next and I bought a 72" piece of plywood as well as some mounting brackets. I think that ended up being about $40 total.
I've seen some amazing tutorials on upholstered headboards (this one is my favorite) but I was OK with something much more simple so I patterned my design off the Crate & Barrell one. I simply freehanded the design on a large sheet of butcher paper from IKEA (which my mom already had) and cut it out. Then I placed it on the plywood and traced the design out.
Then, I borrowed my brother-in-law's jigsaw and went to work. A note about jigsaws: I had never used one before and was scared to mess up my carefully drawn design. However, it was extremely easy. You really just need a sturdy table and steady hand. Earplugs aren't bad idea either but not necessary.
I look tough, don't I?
After this, I got lazy with the picture taking mostly because the upholstery part was a pain in the you-know-what. It's really not that hard as long as you are able to pull the fabric really tight - I suggest having someone pull the fabric while you staple. My mom and I have reupholstered many things (like this chair that I love) and she is a wizard with a staple gun. I was going to put legs on it made of 2x4s but when I realized that the Home Depot guy cut my plywood to 82" instead of 72" like I asked, I figured that mounting it to the wall was a better way to go.
Anyway, here's the finished product. I think it turned out pretty good.
It's not perfect, but then again, what is?
Very cute!! And it looks pretty professional to me...
ReplyDeleteAlso love how you mixed the floral and stripe cushions :)
Wow! That is awesome! I love seeing homemade goodness like this. Someday I'll take your idea and make one of my own.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely! I love the color and shape!
ReplyDeleteoh I LOVE IT! I also love that you are in your cute shirt and necklace sawing away! haha
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! & I love the pillows with it, the blue makes the floral pillows just pop:):)
ReplyDeleteIt turned out super cute!
ReplyDeleteIt is really really cute and looks so good with your pillows. It makes the pillows pop! Nice job!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great Liz! You are handy.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Great job, Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteThat looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteyou did such a fantastic job!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh its so cute! looks perfect in your room! i'd be scared to try something like that, you made it look so easy though
ReplyDeleteNot only are you crafty, smart, beautiful, an amazing cook, and the list goes on... but you're HANDY TOO??? What the heck? That's so not fair! I love the headboard!!! It is so cute! Good job Liz!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking forward to this post! It looks great! And I love those pillows. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!! I love the way it turned out, I would love to muster up the courage to do a headboard...someday!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! What a clever idea!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so great! I recently did a DIY headboard and it feels so good to come out with a great looking piece of furniture for a fraction of the price you would have paid at a store. And let's face it, tastes change every few years, so why spend so much money on something you'll be ready to swap in 3 years? Loving the blue fabric.
ReplyDeleteThat headboard is amazing! I saw it over at YHL. And like I said over there, though I love the headboard, I REALLY love your mix of strips and florals. So modern and pretty!
ReplyDeleteHi - I came by way of YHL. Wow...this looks so great...and I love how at the end you say, it's not perfect...what is? So cool!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so great! The shape was such a good choice.
ReplyDeleteAlso - i love your lamps. Where are they from?
Great job on this headboard, it looks very professional! I have to say I admire how you look while working on this project. Jigsaw in had, cute top and necklace. Me I would have been in holey yoga pants and sweatshirt! You've got style!
ReplyDelete