DIY Fabric Covered Headboard

Hello. Good Day.

Welcome back for the second part of this weeks DIY posts on how to build and cover a bed frame in fabric. If you missed the first installation make sure you check it out here!

Now, if you are all caught up, let's walk through the final steps to complete the bed - headboard here we come.

Our supplies list includes:
{The amount of each will vary based on the measurements you chose}

• 1 x 1 1/2" Pine Wood
• 1/4" Hard Board
• Skill Saw
• Wood Glue
• Small Finish Nails and Hammer
• Screws and Driver
• Batten
• Fabric {The Pretty selection to be seen as well as a backing to hide the staples and protect your walls for behind.}
• Spray Adhesive
• Scissors
• Staples and Stapler

1. First things first, double check your measurements. At this point we already have the frame itself cut and ready to go so the headboard needs to fit within to be attached. *Our measurements took into account the inner width between the two side rails, the width between the exterior of the side rails, and the height we wanted for the headboard itself.

2. Now go ahead and build the wooden frame. We wanted to avoid ours weighing a trillion pounds so went with 1 x 1 1/2 pieces of pine wood. Robert built a rectangular framing and secured it with two boards running horizontally within. This framing was the perfect width to fit down between the side rails for secure attachment {that first measurement mentioned in step one}. He then added two shorter boards, one on either side of the rectangular frame, to run the length of the edge and meet the top of the side rails. This step makes the headboard run flush with the rails for a seamless look {Second measurement above}.

3. Once the pine frame has been assembled, lay it on the 1/4' hard board. Trace and cut to size with the skill saw.

4. Once the hard board is cut to size it is time to attach it to the headboard frame. First adhere it with a wood glue. Then secure it with the nails.

Headboard frame complete.

"We have now reached the point in this segment where the the plain frame becomes a work of art with pretty fabrics and..." But seriously, now it is the fun part for me.

5. Transport the frame to a clean table or floor space.

6. Spray the adhesive to the front of the headboard frame and your pre-cut batten. Lay the headboard on the batten and allow to sit for a few minutes. *Make sure when cutting your batten that you allow for overlap.

7. Once the spray adhesive has bonded, place your ironed and pre-cut fabric beneath the batten and frame.

8. If your fabric has a linear pattern ensure it is adjusted straight. Once you are pleased with its placement pull batten and fabric tight and staple into place. *This is much easier with two people: one doing the pulling and checking that the pattern is in line while the other does the stapling. We started by pulling and stapling from side to side just below the top corners, went a few down on either side, then returned to the top centre and worked our way out.

9. Repeat step 8. until you come to a corner. Fold the corners in and pull tight. Staple into place and continue with step 8.

10. Once the headboard is covered with fabric it is time to attach it to the side rails. Pre-drill holes from the inside of the base of the frame through to the inner back end of the side rails. You may have to slice small slits in the fabric for the screws to pass. Then screw the frame into place.
*Robert did this step while I was attending to Finley's demands so I missed photographing until it was complete. So sorry.

11. Once the headboard is securely attached, you can finish up by covering the back of the headboard frame with a plain thick fabric. This will protect your walls from scratching and cover up the ugly. I bought this piece at the fabric store but you could certainly use any leftovers you might already have on hand. Cut and staple into place.

And that is all she wrote. You now have yourself a beautiful fabric covered bed frame! I can guarantee, if you are anything like me, at this point you will feel like you could take over the world! Muahahaha...

Now lets talk moolah. I have done a little online shopping to check out what something like this would cost pre-made and the prices where ghastly. So a better idea might be to review what we spent. So we can all keep our cool here.

1. $100 for Building Materials: All of the wood - for headboard, rails, legs, and cross sections - and 1/4 Hard Board {We already had the tools, glue, spray adhesive, nails and screws on hand}
2. $15 for Batten
3. $48 for Car Fabric {We got it when on a slight sale. But got extra just incase we made a boo-boo}
4. $3.50 for Plain Fabric {Covering the back of the headboard}
5. $3.50 for Fabric Ribbon {Used to reinforce and prevent fraying along the top of the rails}

For a total cost of $170 and the sacrifice of a few pulled hairs we made a custom twin bed frame and headboard that is safe, kid friendly, and one of a kind. Also, because we kept the long term in mind while choosing the fabric, it should be age appropriate for many years to come.

What do you think about the outcome? Maybe something you may endeavour to try yourself? Perhaps you have already and you have advice to share. I would love to hear from you! Or maybe you have questions, concerns, anxieties...Ask or share away!

Chat soon.

I linked up @ Better With Age

DIY Fabric Covered Bed Frame

Today's project came about after a Wednesday Get Inspired post a few weeks back. And if you have taken a walk through our mini home tour you may have already noticed its magical appearance. But with such a phenomenal outcome, it definitely merits a step by step playback.

First a little back story: Our home is filled with mattresses but not a single cozy bed in sight. There are a total of three doubles and one twin {and Finley's crib but it cant be tampered with for safety sake}. None of which, before now, had any quality frame or visual appeal at all. And since moving into our home I have been saying, or arguably nagging, that we need to invest in making each a welcoming spot for ourselves, as well as guests.

The kicker: Both Robert and I can be on the cheap side at times. Cheap is a harsh word. I prefer selective spending. And buying a bed frame, let alone the gorgeous fabric covered headboard and frames that I am ooing and awing over, never seems to top our list of priority purchases. Which is why Ive been concocting a plan to do it ourselves, keep some cash in our pockets, all while achieving a gorgeous and comfortable statement piece in the bedrooms of our home.

First stop? Finley's room. A twin bed seemed like a logical leaping off point on this mission with its smaller dimensions and less costly supplies list. That way if we made a big booboo it wouldn't be a huge loss.

Here we go:


1. Robert measured and remeasured all the pieces for the wooden frame. Then he went ahead and cut everything down to size.

2. Preassemble the bed legs. We went ahead and painted the base portion that would be seen once attached.

3. He then attached the wooden rectangular pieces that will act as support for the cross planks later on.

But the build paused there.


4. We then carried the preassembled pieces to a clean space and began covering one frame board at a time with pre cut batten and fabric pieces.

5. Spray the front of your board and the back of your batten with a spray adhesive {optional}. Then lay the batten and fabric on the board, pull tight, and staple at the top and bottom of the back of the board. Continue for the length of the board.


Do take your fabric pattern into account when pre cutting your fabric strips. *Naturally we would choose a challenging pattern that added difficulty to the project. In order to make the truck pattern line up we had to cut the strips in twelve inch high pieces to avoid wasting large portions of our fabric. This did not allow for a lot of excess fabric overlapping the backs of the boards. But I came up with a solution for that at the end.


6. Staple the batten and fabric all along the bottom of the board to the very end. **Leave the top unstapled toward the end until attaching the preassembled bed leg.

7. Attach the leg by screwing through the front of the covered board.

8. Tuck the fabric and batten behind the following board to be attached at the corner and screw it in place.


9. Once the next board on the frame has been attached, finish covering the corner with the batten and fabric by stapling along the top of both boards.

Continue stapling the batten and fabric along the top and bottom and repeat steps 6. through 9. for the other end corner.


When your fabric strip comes to and end, you'll need to match up the next piece of fabric. Because we had taken this into account before cutting, the pattern met up perfectly from top to bottom. We just folded the ends to meet the pattern from left to right, ironed it down, matched it up on the frame, and stapled in place.


Finley was the best little helper along the way! Toy cars are the newest addition to the household toolbox.


We then carried the frame to its final destination and covered the overlapping fabric ends with stripping to prevent fraying. The additional support will better support the fabric and help ensure it lasts through years of wear and tear.



10. Place the stripping over the fabric ends and staple in place.

Your end result is a kid friendly bed frame that will protect from sharp corners and stimulate little minds with a fun pattern. Not to mention Mom and Dad can be proud of the room they have put together for the wee ones. Or at least that is the case with this household!

Check back later this week for the next step in this process.

But what about you? Have you ever built a bed frame yourself? What about an attempt to add fabric? How did you go about it? I'd love to hear from you! We could try a new approach for our next attempt! *Just dont tell Robert there is another in his future!

Chat soon.

It Doesn't Have to be New

It is another beautiful Saturday out there guys! The sun is peaking through those clouds, everyone and their dog is out for a walk, and the smell of fresh cut grass fills the air. All of that combined with the first yard sales of the year brings a pure joy to this gals heart!

I only found one treasure on my first trip out but it was well worth the early rise. A vintage toy to add to Finley's room and can be used for learning his alphabet down the room. I paid one whole dollar! Score.

Vintage Children's Toy

But that is not all for treasures around here this week. My mother, Doris or D-Frase, just arrived home from her winter in Florida. I'm not jealous at all! And she brought along some treasures to share. My lot includes several gorgeous pottery pieces, a glass dish with cork stopper, and an unfinished ceramic jar with handles that is just waiting to find its purpose. These beauties range in price from $0.25 up to the $8 splurge on the pottery pitcher. I cant wait to put each of these to work. 

Dishes, Dishes, Everywhere

She also found some fabric options for future DIY's. All of with cost less than $10 total.

What to do, what to do...

And last, but certainly not least, are the two furniture finds that followed me home from a local second-hand store, Forbes New to You {check them out on Facebook}.

I'm excited to see what these new additions have in store and what spot they will come to occupy around here!

Chat soon!

Pinch of Productivity, Buckets of Fun

What a B-E-A-Utiful weekend we are having!

My apologies for being MIA but the fam and I have been off galavanting here and there and everywhere. I hope the same goes for you!

Just wanted to stop by and give ya's a quick update of our goings on.

First thing Saturday morning my girlfriend Shannon and her husband returned home after a week in Cuba {which I am not jealous about even a little bit. Zero.} and scooted down to pick up Charlie {their sweet pup who had been staying with us and was included in a mini photo-op here}. After seeing him off, which was a devastatingly sad time in Moe's life, Robert got to work finishing up the second shelf in the entry closet {which I alluded to here}. I am rather impressed with that mans Handy Manny skills.

Simple joy to an organizers eyes.

Leaving this as is, we packed up and headed to Truro for the afternoon. We scouted out fabric for a DIY project to start this week for the entry {keep checking back for more} and scored three bigger bin/baskets for the entry closet {which I am beyond excited about! They are so so me!}

This is the direction the entry seems to be taking.
{Still trying to find a pop of colour. Suggestions welcome.}

Upon our return home we did a quick once-over, because we had just left the house as is {which is never the ideal}, and hosted friends for the evening. After the exchange of many a story {some long winded} and the very best from-the-gut laugher we called it a night. A Saturday to be cherished.

Sunday brought with it sunshine once again and we have been out and about - collecting groceries and me falling madly in love with EVERYTHING in the Superstores seasonal section {bring on those summer days and nights!}. 

Now we are off with the neighbours to a local ball field to let the dogs have a 'tear' off leash {Roberts words}. That dog of ours is spoiled rotten. 

Check out his new friend!

I hope you have all enjoyed your weekends as much as we have. Perhaps you have even combined productivity and fun. Enjoy the rest of your day and we shall chat this week - on the flip side! Cheers!

Spreading the love from our home to yours!