Adding a headboard to your bed is one of the easiest ways to bring warmth, polish, and comfort to a bedroom. Making a DIY upholstered headboard is affordable and simple — ours cost just $66 — and lets you choose the fabric, size, and style to match your room. Over the years we’ve built many different styles, and this guide walks you through our favorite classic upholstered headboard.
Below the tutorial we also mention other headboard variations worth exploring: a channel-tufted headboard, a daybed-style headboard, and a wall-cleat method for hanging a headboard.
Table of Contents
Materials & Tools
Your exact list may vary, but generally you’ll need:
- Upholstery fabric (amount depends on headboard size; we used about 2 yards)
- Extra loft batting (we used 4 yards for two layers)
- 5/8″ plywood or MDF for the headboard backing
- Two or three 1×3″ whitewood boards for edging and bracing
- A saw to cut wood (miter, table, or circular saw) — optional if you have your pieces cut at the store
- A heavy-duty staple gun and staples
- Screwdriver and screws (or a Kreg Jig for pocket holes if you prefer)
Why Add a Fabric Headboard?
We replaced a four-poster look with a cozy upholstered headboard because we wanted something cushioned to lean against at night. Beyond comfort, a fabric headboard instantly elevates a bedroom’s style. Without one, a room can feel unfinished or too utilitarian. The right fabric can add bold color, subtle texture, or a calming neutral backdrop depending on the mood you want to create.
Step 1: Build Your Wood Frame
There are many ways to construct a frame. For a simple rectangular headboard cut a sheet of plywood to your desired dimensions or have the store cut it for you. For a queen bed we used a 65″ wide by 31″ tall panel. Adjust the size to suit your bed and room.
We built a sturdier plywood frame and added small side pieces to wrap around posts left from our old bed. To attach the side boards we used 1×3 whitewood pieces fastened with pocket-hole screws, though glue and nails would also work.
If your headboard panel won’t fit in your vehicle, have the store rip it in half and reconnect the halves at home with bracing boards. Test-fit the assembled frame around your bed before upholstering to make sure the dimensions and clearances are correct.
Step 2: Add Your Batting Layer
Upholstery can feel intimidating, but the basic idea is similar to wrapping a present. Start by laying a 2-3″ overhang of batting on the floor, place the frame on top, and staple the batting tightly to the back of the plywood. Work your way around, pulling the batting taut and folding corners neatly to avoid bulk.
We repeated the process for a second layer of batting for extra plushness. Batting is easy to staple into the plywood and wraps cleanly around edges. If you prefer a very thick cushion, consider upholstery foam attached with spray adhesive, but note that multiple batting layers are easier to wrap and staple.
Step 3: Staple On Your Fabric
Iron your fabric to remove wrinkles before you start. Lay the fabric face down, place the batting-covered frame on top, and trim excess, leaving a few inches to wrap around the back. Start by stapling opposite sides while pulling the fabric tightly to avoid sagging over time. Then staple the remaining top and bottom edges, folding corners like gift wrap for a smooth front surface.
The upholstery step is fast — for us it took less than 45 minutes. When finished, flip the headboard upright and admire the tailored, plush look. Pull the fabric tight as you go to keep the surface smooth and avoid loose areas that could bag with use.
Step 4: Hang Your New Headboard
There are several mounting options depending on your bed and wall. Hanging the headboard on the wall with a french cleat is a sturdy, popular choice: one angled cleat attaches to the wall and the mating cleat screws to the headboard. You can also screw the headboard directly to an existing bedframe if that’s more practical. Aim to position the headboard so it meets or sits just below the top edge of your mattress to avoid a gap.
In our case we screwed the new headboard into the existing wooden frame, using screws short enough not to poke through the other side. Make sure the attachment is snug and secure for everyday use.
Step 5: Enjoy Your Handiwork
Once the headboard is attached, move the bed back into place and enjoy the new focal point. The right fabric can tie pillows, rugs, and room accents together while adding a comfortable, upholstered surface to lean against at night.
DIY Upholstered Headboard Cost
Here’s the budget breakdown for our project:
- Wood frame (plywood and bracing boards): $22
- Two layers of extra loft batting (on sale): $4
- Discount designer fabric (reused from a previous project; originally $20/yard): $0–$40 depending on whether you buy new
- Total spent: $66 (including reused fabric)
While $66 isn’t nothing, it’s significantly less than many ready-made upholstered headboards. Building your own lets you choose the exact fabric and finish, and typically saves $100–$400 compared with retail custom options.
*Note: Prices and availability vary by region and store.