Today’s Blog Post is a DIY tutorial on how to create your own simple minimalist headboard. This DIY is also a Creative Design trick. It is a combination of purchasing some end-material - 100% linen headboard cover - and designing and creating the headboard yourself.
If you are good with sewing, you could even attempt to create the headboard cover (or simply staple fabric as per the interlining below) but I don’t currently have much sewing skills so that is why I bought mine.
I love the idea of headboard covers that I can remove, wash and change when I want as opposed to a fabric that will always be there and that I may end up getting tired of.
I decided to do this DIY because we had a 6cm gap between the mattress and the wall meaning sometimes pillows were slipping in there which is quite annoying. Therefore I wanted something that will fit perfectly in that space and decided to do it bespoke! You could call this an IKEA Hack! Our bed is the Brimnes King size with storage cabinets. I love the natural linen fabric so it had to be in linen. (see my other post about the benefits of linen)
Design
Headboards are like coffee tables, there are hundreds of thousands to choose from. Plus they are quite expensive as they are large in size and require typically expensive shipping. Finding the right one can take time, so when I came across one with a very simple design, I loved it immediately however when I found out I couldn’t have it shipped to the UK, I decided to do it myself and just buy the cover.
Doing your own headboard is not that complicated at all and can save you a good amount of money.
Measure the bed frame to check what type of double bed I had, I dont know about you but I get very confused with bed sizes so best to double check.
Measure space at the back between the wall and the mattress
Measure the height on the bedframe
Based on the plywood thickness + the space behind the mattress, I went for a foam depth of 3.5cm.
Based on the size of the merchant headboard (matching the cover I bought) of 168cm, I went for a foam width of 168cm
Material, Cost and Tools (click on links to shop)
- Linen Headboard Cover for 160cm bed / £67
- Cut to Size Foam, I choose a medium duty, £25 (3.5x76x168cm)
- OSB or Plywood board 1.2x122x240cm £21
- Heavy Duty Adhesive Spray £6
- Staple gun + staples 15mm
- Interlining or wadding dacron fabric £7.50
Total cost about £125 which is less than if I would have paid a brand new headboard from a retailer plus it wouldn’t have been bespoke to my space.
Execution
Cut the plywood to your preferred dimensions, I used 1.2x122x170cm
I traced a 1cm recess on either side of the board
Used Adhesive Spray on the foam and fixed the foam in place
Added the stockinette around the foam
Placed the interlining fabric on top and made sure there was extra fabric around the headboard to later staple at the back
Tense the interlining fabric and use the staple gun to Staple on the 1cm recess line I traced.
Then staple at the back all around the sides and top of the headboard.
Finish by the bottom then added a couple of staples below the foam to make it extra secure.
That’s it for the headboard! How simple!
Styling
My headboard was then styled with a 100% linen headboard cover that feels very soft to the touch. It was as easy as to fit a duvet cover. Love the fact I can change it when I want and purchase a new cover, or even sew my own one day, who knows!
After that all we needed to do was put it in place at the back of the bed and it fitted perfectly. Two people are needed. Because height is 122cm I did not feel the need to screw it onto the wall but if you go for 135cm or higher, it is advised to secure it with appropriate fixings.
Good luck with your project, hope this was informative and interesting read! Feel free to Pin a few pictures for later. Check my instagram below for more pictures.
The mindful tip: Most of the material was sourced locally and the wood used is FSC accredited. The headboard cover was imported from France.
Marlene
Hi Marlène,
I love this idea! I would like to do it for my bedroom as I am on a budget and headboards are centainly really expensive! but I am struggling to find the foam and the OSB to those prices you mentioned, everywhere I look seems to be much more expensive than that, could you share where did you get the plywood and foam? I am also based in London. =) many thanks!!
Hello, Definetly a good idea! It was much cheaper DIY than buying one off the shelf and a fun project to do too! I absolutely love my headboard. I got the foam off a website called gb foam direct, input the exact dimension hence why the price was good. The OSB BOARD, I got it at B&Q. Good luck with it! Dont hesitate to share it on instagram, I’d love to reshare. x