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Emily A. Clark

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Fabric Covered Panels (If You Need a Headboard Fast)

July 24, 2013

One reason I love upholstered headboards for kids’ rooms is because they’re soft (which is great for bed jumping even if it’s technically banned) and they can be a really inexpensive option, if you make it yourself.  So, this is exactly what we did for the girls’ shared bedroom soon after we moved in.

girls bedroom upholstered headboards

(If you Google it, lots of these have been made, and there are plenty of tutorials out there.  But, I thought I’d go ahead and share our process, in case you were just curious.  Luckily, it’s hard to mess them up. You know our DIY’s don’t get too complicated around here.)

I started by measuring the width of the mattress and figured the height tall enough so that I would still see plenty of the fabric after the pillows were on the bed.  You could always be really dramatic and extend it way up the wall.  The overall measurement for ours ended up being 36 x 40 inches.  This worked perfectly for the width of the fabric so there was no sewing required.  (We opted to make fabric covered panels rather than something that would actually attach to the bed frame.)

The rest of the process went like this:

Do It Yourself headboard panel

We bought a sheet of particle board and had them cut it to our measurements at the store.  I bought foam, batting and 3M adhesive spray at a local fabric store.  (I want to say all of my supplies—besides the fabric–cost under $40, but it’s been a while. . .)  After cutting the foam to size, we sprayed the board and applied the foam.

DIY headboard--cutting the foam

Adhesive spray for fabric

IMG_0362

DIY headboard--applying foam to particle board

At this point, you’re probably asking yourself why I keep saying “we” but there’s just pictures of my dad doing all the work.  That’s because this project happened when I was 30+ weeks pregnant with the babies.  I just served as “project supervisor”.

emilyaclark.com

Yes, we do have a basketball court on our driveway.  Another story for another day.

By the way, we occasionally let my dad do other things besides work when my parents visit.  When I was looking through photos for this post, I found this one.  The babies came between the time the headboards were made and when we actually hung them in the room:

emilyaclark.com

But, back to the headboards.  “We” covered the foam with batting and then stapled on the fabric.

covering the headboards with fabric

Good work, Dad.

fabric covered headboard panel

We hung them on the wall using these:

How to hang an upholstered headboard

girls room

And, a few other ideas for how you might use a similar concept:

Fabric Panels

1, 2, 3

Speaking of working on kids’ rooms, there’s still time to enter the PB Kids giveaway and to link up your spaces.  (Ends Monday!)

emilyaclark.com

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Filed Under: bedrooms, DIY, kids' spaces

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    July 24, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I love that fun fabric you used on the girl’s headboards – the color is so cheerful! And how sweet is your dad doing DIY projects for you as your babes percolated? :)

    Reply
  2. [email protected] Pine Cones and Acorns says

    July 24, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    Beautiful fabric! The room looks great. I have always loved these headboards, I had no idea they were this easy.

    Reply
  3. Crystal (theweekendhomemaker.com) says

    July 24, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    I love the fabric on the headboards and pillows. I would never think to pull those patterns/colors together but I love it.

    Reply
  4. Beth of designPOST Interiors says

    July 24, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    You have a great Dad! Are the new monogrammed pillows from your sister’s shop?

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 24, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      No, it’s the same one from her last room. Just playing around with some different options.

      Reply
  5. Hilary says

    July 24, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    Love these! I want to do a similar headboard for my son’s twin bed – what dimensions did you use or would you recommend for a twin?

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 24, 2013 at 1:57 pm

      36 x 40 for ours. More about this in the paragraphs under the first picture in the post :)

      Reply
    • Hilary says

      July 24, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    July 24, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    Dads are the best! They look great, Emily. I have 3 headboards that I need to make, seeing yours finished is spurring me on!

    Reply
  7. betty baez says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    I absolutely love this! And can i add the saving on diy on this one is amazing!

    Reply
  8. Kelli @ Life at 818 says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    gosh I just LOVE how you put rooms together! And the ceiling! to die for! I need a headboard in my bedroom! I’m going to start looking at fabric :o)

    Reply
  9. Vel Criste says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    Fabulous and easy! Thanks for sharing Emily, I’m seriously considering one for one of our guest bedroom!

    Reply
  10. Denise @ frazzled JOY says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    This project has been on my list for a while now. Maybe soon!! I love the colors in your girls room, and the ceiling!!

    Reply
  11. Brandi says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    I love this! My sister is looking for an inexpensive headboard idea. I’ll be sure to pass your tutorial her way.

    Reply
  12. Serendipity Lane says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    I love that there are so many possibilities to making your own headboard.

    Do you have the direct link to where picture #2 came from? I searched on the Pure Style Home blog and couldn’t find that picture. I love that room too!

    Melissa

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 24, 2013 at 3:55 pm

      No, I’m sorry, I don’t. I found it incorrectly linked on Pinterest but knew it was Lauren’s. Couldn’t find her old post, though.

      Reply
  13. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    July 24, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    the room looks awesome and that headboard is the showstopper! i love the fabric choice.

    Reply
  14. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    July 24, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    the room looks awesome and that headboard is the showstopper! i love the fabric choice.

    Reply
  15. Debbie @PinkTexasChick says

    July 24, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    What a punch of pretty wow! Those turned out great. :)

    Reply
  16. [email protected] says

    July 24, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    Love those headboards! Great fabric selection :)

    Reply
  17. Nancy {at} powellbrower at home says

    July 24, 2013 at 8:10 pm

    Love these and it is so easy! That is a great picture of your dad with the baby!
    xo Nancy

    Reply
  18. Heather Moore Grahling | Vivid Hue Home says

    July 25, 2013 at 12:13 am

    love these headboards! they are incredible! (also love the ceiling painted in red! brilliant)

    Reply
  19. simplymodernhome.com says

    July 25, 2013 at 12:20 am

    It looks so easy I think I might actually be able to do it! What I like most about it is that when you want to change up the color scheme you just need to cut and staple some new fabric on. Great idea!

    Reply
  20. marshallhousematters.com says

    July 25, 2013 at 12:44 am

    Love the choice of fabric. So bright and eye catching

    Reply
  21. Abby Lawson says

    July 25, 2013 at 1:59 am

    Hooray for handy dads! These turned out so sweet and they look pretty simple too–yay! Thanks so much for sharing your project, Emily!

    ~Abby =)

    Reply
  22. Gwen, The Makerista says

    July 25, 2013 at 3:08 am

    that huge headboard behind the two twins is kind of amazing!

    Reply
  23. Laura says

    July 25, 2013 at 11:23 am

    I love the fabric and the red ceiling!

    Reply
  24. Esther says

    July 25, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Thanks for the DIY info, Emily:) So, you added batting on top of the foam? How thick (more or less) was the batting? Thanks:)

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      July 26, 2013 at 1:57 am

      We didn’t buy the thickest because I wanted to make sure the width of my fabric would still wrap around the headboard. But, if that wasn’t a concern, I think a thicker batting would actually be nice.

      Reply
    • Esther says

      July 26, 2013 at 11:10 am

      Thank you:)

      Reply
  25. Barbara Matson says

    July 25, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    I LOVE the fabric! What a great room!

    Reply
  26. Carmel - Our Fifth House says

    July 25, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    What a good daddy – my dad always does a ton for me when he visits. I love love that fabric so much!

    Reply
  27. Julia Konya says

    July 26, 2013 at 10:04 am

    I love that fabric so much!

    Reply
  28. Kathryn says

    April 7, 2015 at 10:29 pm

    Could you please tell me the color and maker of that beautiful red ceiling?? I just have to paint my ceiling that drop dead color. Thank you in advance,
    Kathy

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 8, 2015 at 9:51 am

      Olympic Paint–Salsa Diane :)

      Reply
  29. kim says

    April 28, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Can you please tell me where you found the dresser in your daughter’s room? I love it!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      April 29, 2015 at 8:51 am

      It’s from IKEA and has been great for storage.

      Reply
  30. albert says

    October 28, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    hi i realize your original post was 2013 but i noticed you responded to someone in april 2015
    so i thought i give u a try. What is the name brand of the picture hanging system you used and how did you attach it? i have searched on google and can not find it . thanks!

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      October 28, 2015 at 9:54 pm

      Hi Albert, I don’t remember the brand, but I’m pretty sure it came from Lowe’s.

      Reply

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