Mini bedroom makeover

I've been wanting to get a new headboard for our bed for a long time.  We've had the same bed since we got married and while it was a nice enough bed, I've grown rather tired of it.  Also, one of the knobs on the footboard was broken and unfixable. 

Unfortunately, bed frames and even just headboards are very expensive.  After looking around a bit, I decided an upholstered headboard was the way to go.  And then I decided we could make it ourselves for a very affordable price!

Here's a before picture:

  
I researched online and found great headboard instructions here and here.  Naturally we customized things a bit to work how we felt would do best.

I got a basic height measurement from the upholstered headboard I liked best at Pottery Barn.  We decided to hang the headboard on the wall rather than build one with legs. 

Here's the room ready for us to start working:

We started by having Lowe's cut a piece of plywood to our measurement (61" X 39").  Craig worked on measuring and attaching two 1X4 boards to the back of the headboard to create a small buffer between the headboard and the wall.

We purchased fabric, batting, and 3" foam at Joann Fabrics.  They cut the foam to size at Joann's with an electric knife (yeah, like you use to cut a Thanksgiving turkey).  Unfortunately when we started putting things together, we realized that they didn't get the size quite right and we needed to do more cutting.  Although I'd read online that the foam could be cut with a regular serrated knife, we decided that it was probably worth buying a cheap electric knife that would make a nice straight cut.  We were afraid cutting the foam with one of my serrated knives would end up costing just as much since we'd have to replace the knife and we also weren't sure the regular blade would cut as cleanly.

We attached the foam to the plywood with spray adhesive.  Take my advice...wear rubber gloves for this step!  It's very messy!

Next, we spread the fabric out right-side-down on the floor (actually on a clean sheet so it wouldn't get dirty) with the batting on top of it. 

Then we centered the wood with the foam on it on top of the fabric.  The process of stapling the fabric and batting to the frame is a bit time consuming but it's worth taking your time to get it right.  Start by pulling the fabric taut and putting one staple in the center of each side directly opposite from each other.  Next, stand the headboard up and check to see if the fabric looks like it is centered properly and not being pulled oddly in one direction or another.  As long as it looks good, continue stapling going out from the center of each side being sure to balance out by stapling equally on the opposite side.  Check frequently to be certain that everything looks right on the front side of the headboard.

At the corners, we found it worked best to cut a small square out of the fabric and batting to reduce the bulk.  After that, just work to fold the corners similarly to wrapping a package.  It took a good bit of experimenting to get it right but with a bit of patience the corners turned well.

Here's the final product:

I searched high and low for wall lamps to replace our old, yellowed bedside lamps.  I'd just about settled on some from Pottery Barn because, hard as it is to believe, they had the best prices. 

And then we decided to do a little bit more shopping in town last weekend. We found exactly what I was looking for at Home Depot for only $35 each!  Yippee!!  The lamps look fabulous and we are very happy with them.

We also looked for artwork to go above the bed and found this painting at Kohl's.  The colors turned out to be perfect and we really like the flowers.  It's just a bit small so I'd like to get something small to go on either side of it.  Maybe a pottery piece or ceramics? 

We'd still like to replace the quilt with a new one.  I've tried several white quilts and coverlets but none of them have been quite right.  Most of the ones I find have a floral pattern on them that's quite prominent but I think a more subtle geometric is needed.  Maybe just a small box pattern or stripe. 

We also moved the Monet print to be over the chest of drawers and took down the pen and ink New Orleans prints.  I really like having the large print there but I do hope we'll hang those N.O. prints somewhere else.

The last change we made was moving this small wooden desk from the guest room to our bedroom.  I'm using it as a bedside table/vanity/desk.  I really love it and the size is just perfect!  The red chair is from IKEA and is one we had stored away.  I want to redo it somehow in a different color but I can't make up my mind exactly what to do with it.  Suggestions?

Well, there you have it.  At least for now.  We still need to get a new quilt and fix up that red chair but otherwise it's pretty complete.  I'm thrilled with the changes and so far I think we've spent less than $250.   
  

Comments

[Emily Geyer]

I LOVE it! We're trying to plan a new headboard for the bed in the guest room, but I have questions! Did you buy a new frame, or were you able to take the headboard and the footboard off without the bed falling apart?

[denise]

Thanks! We did end up buying a new bedframe. It was possible to take the headboard and footboard off our old bed and the bedframe would still be usable. BUT a huge problem (to us) was that the bedframe at the foot of the bed extended out beyond the boxspring so that a footboard could be attached. That seemed like a sure-fire shin killer! The only alternative to buying a new frame was sawing off the frame and leaving a rough, unfinished edge and we decided it'd just be better to get a new one.

I called nearly every furniture store in town and the Rooms To Go Outlet had the best price...about $50. Some places wanted $100 for a basic metal frame!! Whatever!

[Ann]

Looks great, Denise!! We made a similar upholstered headboard years ago which is now due to be replaced! I absolutely love the wall lamps you chose! I think we need those in our room! As soon as we pick out a bed, I think I'll look for similar lamps next. Have you looked at the new Dwell Studio for Target bedding? Some of it is geometric and might work.
http://tinyurl.com/yh9ewaa

[Ellen]

This is great! I've been looking for clear directions to make a simple headboard just like this since I'm a complete beginner with larger furniture projects.

My only question is, how did you attach the headboard to your metal bedframe? Or is the headboard just sandwiched between the bed and wall?

Thanks!!