Measure the size that you want to make your own headboard first. In hotels, the rectangular upholstered headboards are mounted to the wall. If this is your plan, then the work ahead of you is easy as pie.

Making your Own Upholstered Fabric Headboard

Go to your local hardware store and purchase a lightweight piece of plywood. Some stores will make 1 or two cuts for you at no charge. Others will charge a small fee. Make sure that you know your measurements and that you have a sketch of your final project. Hardware store guys can be very helpful and can often suggest the proper wood and make sure it�s being cut in the right direction for your purposes.

Some hardware stores will have sheets of foam of various thicknesses and firmnesses. You need a piece of foam that is the same size and shape as your base (the wood that was just cut.) If there is an upholstery store in town, you might find what you�re looking for there. Once the foam is cut to size, you�re ready to work with your decorator fabric.

Choose a strong upholstery fabric that compliments your bedroom d�cor. You can choose a neutral color that blends in with the walls or draperies, or you can go bold. If you don�t like it, you can always change it. Lay the board on top of your fabric and mark a line on the back of your fabric that extends past your board by � - � inches, depending on the thickness of your padding. Fold one edge of the fabric over the wood and, keeping the line flush with the edge of your board, begin to staple the fabric to the board with heavy-duty staples. Space staples close together, to prevent bunching. When two sides of your fabric are completely sealed, you may continue.

Lay the foam on top of the board, in between the fabric and the board. It should slide into your corner nicely. Press and staple down the opposing corners of the fabric, being sure to compress the foam so that the guideline you drew meets the edge of the board. Finish by stapling all of the edges completely.

Decorating your Upholstered Headboard

You can finish your upholstered headboard by using upholstery tacks to add detailing along the edges. You might also chose to use wood molding to frame your fabric headboard.