Transform A Boring Headboard Into Something Truly Unique With This Cute Upholstery Hack

If there's a single piece of furniture that can set the overall tone for a bedroom's style, it's the headboard. Upholstered headboards in particular can add a luxe focal point to the space as well as offer a soft spot to cozy up. Sometimes, though, your style evolves, and the headboard that you originally selected for your space no longer reflects your current taste. Rather than spending hundreds on a new one, why not easily DIY a new headboard by reupholstering the one you already have? It's a simple way to give your bedroom a refresh, and your headboard will have a completely new look. The icing on the cake is that there's a wide assortment of IKEA fabrics at your disposal to make this DIY upholstery project super affordable. You'll simply add cushioning and your new fabric to create a whole new look.

Though IKEA may be world-renowned as an affordable source for modern furniture, this retailer is also a great place to shop for home textiles. From throw blankets to kitchen linens to sewing fabrics, you can count on IKEA's selection to be both chic and wallet-friendly. All of IKEA's pre-cut fabrics come in a standard size of 59 by 118 inches and are priced between $9.99 and $19.99. That means you can snag two to three pieces to reupholster your headboard for $60 or less. No worries if you're completely new to upholstery — we're covering all the details to help you tackle this DIY project with ease. And we're sharing how to add some custom details that will take your headboard's style to the next level.

To begin this project, first disassemble the bed and lay the headboard flat. If it's not already upholstered, cut a piece of upholstery foam to the same size as your headboard. Coat the headboard with spray adhesive (wearing a mask in a ventilated room) and attach the foam. Cover the foam with batting, pull it taut, and use an electric staple gun to attach it along the backside of the headboard. If your headboard is already upholstered, you can skip the foam and batting and simply cut a piece of fabric that is at least 5 inches longer on all sides than the headboard. You may want to iron or steam it before attaching. Center the fabric over the headboard, pull it taut, and staple it every few inches along the backside of the headboard. Fold the corners neatly like a present, and staple the fabric to the back.

Want to make your bedroom feel like a luxury hotel? Add a tufted detail by sewing buttons through the upholstery, or use a no-sew method which involves drilling screws through the upholstery and gluing buttons on top. You could also add extra batting under the fabric to dial up the coziness. To lend a classic look, consider adding nailhead trim around the border or welt cord trim in a coordinating color. For a cohesive look, reupholster the sides and footboard of the bed frame in the same fabric, or create a dust ruffle or bed skirt as a fun accent.