Head Banger: How To Bang Out Your Own DIY Upholstered Headboard

After endless showrooms, the deepest internet hole ever, and reading through the fine print of a million companies promising you they’ve solved sleep, your new mattress finally arrived. You dragged the box upstairs (how do they do that btw?), got it unboxed and in place, and your bedroom is complete. At last. Sort of.

Yes, you have a shiny new amazing sleep situation. But something’s missing. Maybe it’s just that your bedroom decor starting to feel a little, um, sleepy? No worries. You just need to dial in your stylin’ a bit. 

To pull it all together and add a little extra luxury and comfort to your bedroom, an upholstered headboard is a perfect solution. Not only do they look great, but they’re also super cozy to lean against when you’re reading, watching TV, or just lounging in bed. Plus, they’re relatively cheap and easy to make yourself with a few basic tools.

So, no more banging your head over what’s missing in your bedroom. Today we’ll help you level it up by making your own headboard. We’ll show you how to choose a fabric and style that’s uniquely yours, how to build it from start to finish with a curated collection of DIY resources, and wrap it all up with some tips on how to enjoy your new headboard once it’s all finished.

Choosing The Right Fabric And Style For Your Headboard 

Start with choosing your fabric. Not just because we’re biased about the power of the right upholstery fabric (though we’re totally biased, of course). But also because your choice of fabric will inform the rest of your decisions about your DIY headboard project. 

Here’s the most important thing to keep in mind: You can’t do this wrong. It’s your bed and your bedroom. If you love it, then it’s perfect! The questions to ask yourself are  just to help you narrow your focus to what you’re truly vibing on.

First, you’ll need to decide what kind of look you’re going for. You’ve got some kind of style groove going in your home. Carry it through into your bedroom and headboard. 

When choosing your fabric, lean into the style that’s right for you. And by “right” we mean a feeling. When you imagine waking up in the morning or walking into your bedroom at the day’s end, what do you want it to feel like? Great. Make note of that.

Is your style sleek, minimalist, and modern? 

Keep it clean, soft, and simple with an eco-friendly, performance-grade, white microsuede Crypton fabric. Make it modern but with a bit of a playful side with an abstract circle-patterned blue jacquard fabric. Take it calming and classy contemporary with a damask fabric in pale teal and a small-scale geometric pattern. Or perhaps your modern style is about dramatic contrast. Leather-grained ebony recycled leather fits that bill and then some. 

Is your design lane more classic and traditional? 

Sleep in a subtle bed of flowers with a small-scale diamond floral patterned fabric in blue and off-white. Or peacefully drift off to dreamland with vintage paisley patterned faux silk in a soft pink rose color. Slumber free of the day’s energies with a rich, cleansing Malachite green velvet. Or wake up feeling boss with a headboard confidently dressed in coffee-toned Italian leather. 

Or is your vibe all about fun, funky, and eclectic? 

Make your bed a truly tropical oasis with foliage-patterned linen fabric. Feeling adventurous? Go big or go home — in your home — with luscious velvet setting the stage for a slumber safari in a snow leopard print. Bring in some soothing mid-century modern feels with a turquoise textured twill. And whether you’re rolling mid-century modern, boho chic, or some are other freeform design style, you’ll love the retro lodge nostaglic tones of this burgundy and blue plaid jacquard.

With your look and fabric in mind, you’re ready to decide on the padding style for your headboard itself. Do you want something simple and clean-lined? Or are you looking for something with a little different personality, like a tufted headboard? And with those things in mind, you’re ready to begin.

How To Build Your New Upholstered Headboard From Start To Finish

Time to get building. To get you on your way, we’ve scoured the internet to offer you a variety of headboard how-tos for any skill level. Each one has everything you’ll need to know to get it done from design to standing back to drink in your handy work. 

I’m a beginner

Check out this simple step-by-step DIY headboard tutorial from the folks at This Old House. With some basic tools and around $50, you’ll have your new headboard (and feel like a damn design genius) in about the space of an afternoon. Or follow Mrs. Tajee R’s video guide to making your own simple, tufted no-sew headboard. You read that right, tufted and no-sew. 

I’ve got some crafty game

Feeling a bit more confident in your DIY game? Give this how-to from Buildipedia.com’s “Go Green” channel a go. They’ll walk you through making a truly unique upcycled headboard with a hybrid of upholstered and artsy repurposed wood — complete with trim detailing. 

Go with a thorough but still simple guide and let Stephanie at Somewhat Simple show you not only how to build your headboard but also how to mount it on the wall rather than to your bed. We particularly love that she encourages you to put up some fabric swatches to be sure of your choice before you buy.

I’m a DIY rockstar

Are you the kind of DIYer who’s just waiting for HGTV to stop by and offer you your big break? Perfect. Take your upholstered headboard to cozy new heights. Check out this detailed guide to building your own wingback upholstered headboard from Angela Rose Home.

Or seal the deal on your bedroom’s design vibe with Nickesha at Life’s AHmazing! She’ll help you channel your inner DIY rockstar skills as she simplifies and sees you through building your own channel tufted headboard. 

And all that’s just a sampling of how-tos out there. Whatever your skill level, or however much time you want to invest, there’s a way to DIY your way to your new headboard.

Tips On How To Enjoy Your New Headboard Once It’s All Finished

Now that you’ve wrapped up your DIY adventure, it’s time to enjoy it. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your headboard:

Just kidding. You don’t need tips! It’s your bed! You took the time to claim your unique bedroom design style vibe, you took the time to find the right fabric for your headboard, and you saved money and made your room even more uniquely yours by building your own headboard. High-five. 

Now step back and take it in, or lean back and settle in, or however else you’d like to revel in your finished bedroom bliss. And if you have any questions along the way, that’s why we’re here. Give us a call or drop us a line today.