home projects

My Main Squeeze encouraged me to blog about all the projects I’ve completed around the places we’ve lived.  I mean, my blog is named: Caroline Made This!  I just never really thought much about it because it is truly a hobby; something to do while watching The Real Housewives or The Jersey Shore.

What?

Who said that?

I’ve found some amazingly talented men and women through Pinterest and the project I completed below was indeed inspired by a pin I found when I searched for “how to make a headboard” for our new bedroom.  I used the information I discovered while researching instructions and decided to combine information and  head out on my own to create what ended up being a super easy, super cheap headboard!

My favorite phrases!  Super cheap.  Super easy.  Just like me!  Wait.  Forget that last part…

How to Make a Headboard

 This is all you’ll need:

Plywood

Batting

Fabric

Staples and one of them fancy staple guns (Say it with a Southern accent…)

Wall mount(s) (This, obviously, depends on if you use the studs in the wall and how heavy your plywood is. Be sure to check how much weight the wall mounts can carry.)

Screws or nails

 

The size of your headboard depends on how large your bed is and how high you want it to sit.  So measure it out and be sure to do it WITH your bed already made because your comforter and pillows do add some “bulk” to the bed.  Use those measurements for your fabric and batting, but add a few (3-5) inches to give yourself enough extra that enables you to staple it to the plywood.

Next, head to Home Depot.  Look completely lost and walk aimlessly around the aisles for 45 minutes.  Oh wait, that’s just me.   We had the plywood cut in 2 equal dimensions so we could fit it in the car.  Depending on the size of your vehicle, you may have to do it as well.  I’ll show you how I adjusted cutting it into 2 separate pieces below:

Buy enough brackets and screw them to the back of the plywood so that you feel both bracketed pieces are now one sturdy piece. We bought three brackets and it was very sturdy.  Now that you have all of your materials and the wood cut to the dimensions you need, lay the batting on the ground and place the plywood on top.  Now staple to your heart’s content.  No, really.  You can’t really go wrong here!  Just make sure you used the same type of “fold” on both sides of your headboard so you don’t have a lopsided edge.

Next, place your fabric on the ground and lay the plywood (that has the batting already stapled on it) on top.  Staple away again!  Do you see a pattern here?  Speaking of patterns…

Notice the pattern I chose?  While I LOVE it, I was quite lucky that the lines turned out even.  Lucky or talented…take your pick.  Be sure to choose a fabric that has a design that will not be ruined if it’s not stapled evenly.

Admire your work:

Now, find a stud.  A stud in the WALL, people.  Hang that wall mount where you want or need it depending on where the wall stud is.  Put in the screws to the back of your plywood, adjust the wire and hang it!  So glad we had the Bax-man to supervise the project…

 

There are many techniques you can use to hang your headboard.  I didn’t take many pictures of this portion because a lot can depend on how heavy the plywood is.  After looking through other tutorials, I thought this was the best technique and it worked for us.  But use your discretion and adjust how you need it to hang based on what tools you have and the placement on the wall.

Be flexible, people. :)

     

And that’s it!

I must be sure to give credit where credit is due: Thank you Thrifty Decor Chick and Design Sponge for your great blogs and inspiration.  Be sure to visit them to see the great headboards they’ve created!  Plus you can follow my finished projects on Pinterest!

What do you think?  Share your thoughts on any projects you’ve done or if you have any suggestions!