How to Make an Upholstered Headboard

What you’ll need

• A tape measure
• Scissors
• 1/4”-thick foam
• Spray adhesive
• Fabric
• A staple gun
• Cotton tape trim
• A glue gun
• Nailhead trim
• An upholstery hammer
• A nailhead spacing tool
• A pencil

Directions

1. Measure the inset of your headboard, and cut foam (ours was 1/4-inch thick) to fit.

2. In a well-ventilated area or outdoors, lightly spray the foam with spray adhesive. (This will help hold the foam in place as you staple the fabric over it.)

3. Measure and cut the fabric to the size of the foam. (Or what measurement are you going for?) Using a staple gun, staple the foam in place, starting with a staple at the top, then the bottom, right, and left points. Staple the fabric over the foam, pulling it taut but not overstretching the fabric. Trim any stray threads so the edges are neat.

4. Using a glue gun, apply glue along the outer edges of the inset, and gently press cotton tape trim on top. The trim should come to a point at each corner. Let dry.

5. Tap in nailhead trim next to the cotton trim using an upholstery hammer with a nylon tip and a tool that ensures the nailheads are evenly spaced.