If you spent the summer thumbing through the pages of Pottery Barn Teen, the 12×12 cinder block box that you’re supposed to live in may come as a sore disappointment. Whether an innocent freshman or a wise upperclassmen, no member of the undergraduate food chain can escape the reality of college living. Communal bathrooms and paper-thin mattresses are uninspiring to say the least.
But even the nastiest of dorms and off-campus houses can be salvaged with a little cash and some creativity. You’ll be affectionately calling that box “home” for the next nine months, and after this first project your room will be well on its way to deserving that title. Whether you need something to lean against while studying or plan to share your bed with someone special (or not so special), this homemade headboard will impress.
Materials:
- Plywood, 38″ X 58″ (For a full/queen headboard)
- 2 2X4’s
- 3 yards of upholstery fabric (Buy on sale!)
- 2 ½ yards of regular density 2″ foam
- 3 yards of batting
- Paint
- Electric kitchen knife
- Spray adhesive
- Staple gun
Cost: $62
Time: Approx. 2 hours
Preparation:
- Cut plywood to desired size.
- Paint back of plywood and 2×4’s in a color that coordinates with your choice of fabric.
- Cut foam to the same dimensions as the plywood with an electric kitchen knife.
- Cut fabric to 48″ by 68″. Many upholstery fabric bolts are only 45″ wide, so it may be necessary to sew another piece of fabric to the end. Don’t worry about the seam, it will be on the bottom of the headboard and won’t show!
Instructions:
- Once paint has dried, use spray adhesive to attach the foam to the unpainted side of the plywood. Leave to dry for 30 minutes.
- Place batting flat on the ground. Center and place plywood foam side down on top of the batting.
- Pulling taut, wrap the batting around to the back of the plywood and secure with staple gun.
- Place the fabric (pattern side down) on the floor. Center and place plywood down on top of the fabric.
- Pulling taut, wrap the fabric around to the back of the plywood and secure with staple gun.
- Use the 2×4’s as posts for the mattress frame. To attach your new headboard to your bed, please examine your mattress frame and see how it should be attached (you will most likely need to take a trip to the hardware store. If you don’t know what hardware you need, ask an employee and explain your project!)
- Enjoy your pretty new bed frame!
