How to Upholster a Headboard and Frame

Deconstruct Headboard

To begin rehabbing your headboard, you first need to disassemble the pieces. First, remove the mattress and, if necessary, use a screwdriver to carefully separate the headboard, side rails, and footboard. If your headboard has small parts or hardware, be sure to take a photo of how they're installed and label them so you can reassemble the pieces quickly.

Related: How to Reupholster a Chair

Cover with Upholstery Foam

When upholstering a headboard, you'll need to start with a layer of upholstery foam. Without this layer, whatever you're upholstering will look flat, harsh, and uncomfortable. Start by laying the bed pieces on a clean floor and placing upholstery foam over each piece. Make sure the front of each surface is covered. Next, use a serrated bread knife to cut the foam to the shape of the furniture.

Use double-sided carpet tape to adhere the foam to the bed pieces. Make sure all edges are properly secured. Do not place upholstery foam over screw holes or on top of the joints that will connect to other sides.

Cut Batting to Size

The next step is to wrap each piece in batting. This layer beneath the fabric is what gives an upholstered headboard its fluffy, soft edges and cushiony touch. If you want an extra plush look, double up the batting layers.

Place the batting over each piece of the bed topped with upholstery foam. You'll want about 8 inches of extra batting around all edges to fold over and staple to the back. Cut batting.

Attach Batting

To secure the batting to the pieces, you will use a combination of spray adhesive and staples. First, cover a 1-foot section of the batting with spray adhesive. Carefully press onto the upholstery foam in place and hold for a few seconds. Continue spraying and placing the batting until the entire surface is covered.

Wrap the excess batting around to the back of the headboard and use a staple gun to secure in place. Put the staples about an inch away from the edge of the board to keep the batting taut. If you need to wrap the batting around rounded corners or arches, you may need to cut slits in the excess batting to make the process easier.

Editor's Tip: Do not let the batting interfere with any joints where the furniture pieces will need to reattach. Cut batting to fit around the joints.

Wrap with Fabric

With the batting attached, it's time to place the fabric over each piece of the bed frame. Cut the fabric to size, leaving about 8 inches of fabric around the edges, just as you did with the batting. Lay the fabric on the floor or table with the pattern side down. Place the bed frame pieces on top of the fabric and begin folding over the excess fabric. Hold taut and use a staple gun to secure the fabric over the batting. Be sure to staple close to the edge and place staples 3-5 inches apart.

Remember to avoid placing fabric too close to screw holes or joints where the headboard pieces meet. If necessary, use fabric fuse glue on any of the fabric's exposed edges to prevent fraying.

Editor's Tip: When selecting fabric, consider a pattern that can run both directions. The woven fabric we selected is ideal for a project like this because it cuts down on time spent matching up a pattern, which means less wasted fabric and more money to set aside for your growing list of DIY projects.

Reassemble Bed Frame

Finally, reassemble the upholstered headboard, side rails, and footboard back together. Reference the photo from the first step to make sure the pieces are properly secured.