Project :: DIY Headboard

Project :: DIY Headboard had been on my mind for a very long time to say the least! 

I'm so excited to share this with you because; 1. it's Joe & I's first building project at the house, 2. it's the first project I'm sharing on the blog! As many of us do, I love most things Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware - unfortunately, my bank account and budget don't agree. After seeing the Raliegh headboard from Pottery Barn go on sale [$679]!!, I was seriously considering "biting the bullet" and ordering it. Not ok.

photo via Pottery Barn

Surprisingly my super crafty & skilled fiance was up for the challenge of building our own!! I was elated to say the least and - thankfully, it was not a hard process at all. Here are all the details::

Project :: Headboard Costs

fabric & batting     $38
wood & material   $51
spray adhesive     $17

            total        $106

 est. savings        $573

Project :: Headboard Materials

plywood

2x4s

batting

fabric

3M spray adhesive

staple gun 

We started by measuring the area in our room and comparing with the dimensions listed on the Pottery Barn website. Our dimensions settled on 61' wide - 53' tall - 4' deep. Next, we visited our local JoAnn Fabric to check out the batting and cover fabric. I wanted to be sure that the fabric I selected was of good quality aesthetically - I did not want it to look thin or cheap. Luckily for me, there was an in store 60% off at the time!

Joe prepped the wood frame by creating a H from the 2x4s and adding a 2x4 across the top - this serves as the back of the structure. He then placed the plywood on the front to create a surface for us to add batting and fabric. 

Once we measured the batting to size, we sprayed the 3M adhesive between each layer. 

wood to batting [layer 1]

batting [layer 1] to batting [layer 2]

Batting [layer 1] was the exact size of the plywood. Batting [layer 2] was cut to fit around the sides. Since we wanted the rounded - quality edges, we smoothed the batting around the sides on the adhesive, then stapled in back. The excess batting was trimmed off. 

After the batting was set up, we steamed the fabric. There were a lot of creases from the store that I didn't want to see when admiring the finished product. We carefully laid out the fabric, smoothing around the edges - stapling - securing. 

One of the only challenging aspects was folding the top corners. We practiced the fold and it turned out great!! 

And.. the big reveal!! I am so happy with the finished product AND our savings!!

Next up in the bedroom; new bedding & hanging a few refinished frames with our engagement photos!