Making a Covered Headboard
- 1). Measure the width of your mattress and add 4 inches to this measurement. This allows for a slightly wider headboard. Decide on how high you want the headboard. Transfer these measurements to a sheet of 1/4-inch plywood and cut it to size with a circular saw. Sand the edges and corners with a sanding block.
- 2). Cut 2-inch thick foam the same size as the plywood. Use sharp scissors for a clean cut. Cut a piece of cotton batting; make it 12 inches larger on all sides to have extra batting to wrap around the sides and edges of the plywood. Also cut the fabric to the size of the batting. Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles.
- 3). Put the plywood on a flat surface such as the floor. Spray the wood with a spray adhesive. Align the edges of the foam with the wood and attach the foam to the board. Spray the foam with adhesive and, with the help of an assistant, attach the cotton batting to the foam, leaving an equal amount of overhang on all sides.
- 4). Flip the plywood over. Pull the batting over the edges of the plywood and staple it to the back of the wood. Place the staples 2 inches apart. Set the plywood to the side after all the batting has been attached.
- 5). Lay the fabric out on the flat surface with the wrong side facing up. Take the plywood and, with the help of an assistant, center it over the fabric with the batting and foam side facing the fabric. Make sure there is an equal amount of fabric on all sides of the wood.
- 6). Pull the fabric over the center of one side and insert two or three staples through the fabric into the back of the plywood. Do the same for the opposite side. Repeat this for the two remaining sides.
- 7). Flip the plywood over and examine the front to see whether the fabric is in the correct position. If so, flip the wood over and continue to staple the fabric to the back of the board. Start from the center and work your way to the corners. Alternate from side to side of the center and between opposing sides. Place the staples 2 inches apart. If the fabric is not is the correct position, remove the staples and start again.
- 8). Attach flush-mount brackets to the back of the headboard and to the wall. First find the wall studs behind where the headboard will be hung. This is done with a stud finder. Screw the bottom part of the bracket into the wall studs. These studs should be as wide as possible and within the width of the headboard.
- 9). Hold the headboard against the wall with the help of an assistant. Mark the location on the back of the headboard where the top part of the brackets will be installed. Lay the headboard face down and attach the brackets. Lift the headboard, align the brackets and slide the brackets together to secure the headboard.
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