September 26, 2014

Padding An Existing Headboard....It's Changeable, Not Permanent, And Won't Harm The Wood


When I did my Hollywood Regency Bedroom I was really stumped by what to do with the headboard of my bed.   After some  thought I came up with a way to make a padded headboard.....One that is not permanent, can be changed or removed and leaves the wood undamaged



I started with this beautiful ornate head and footboard I purchased at an antique store for $130.   I didn't use the footboard, I'll save that for another project.   I contemplated painting it white and then using a silver rub to highlight the scroll work, but the more I looked at it the more I liked the wood and it matched the brown tile on the floor.

  
But......It was to MUCH wood, so I thought a good compromise would be padding the headboard.....But in doing so I didn't want to ruin the wood.....So here's what I did


I made a pattern of the headboard using wrapping paper, the only paper I had on hand that was big enough to make a pattern


Then I got two pieces of foam board from the dollar store and taped them together with duct tape


Then laid the wrapping paper pattern on top of the foam board


And cut around it


Next I covered the foam board with batting


That I adhered with an all purpose spray and trimmed the batting close to the foam board


The final step was laying the fabric on top of the batting and adhering it with hot glue on the backside.   I cut slits to make it lay flat and tight at the curves


The final step was to attach the covered foam board to the wooden headboard using pieces of double stick tape


Then I stood back and admired a pretty good optical illusion..... 



....It looks like a real padded headboard

This would be a great way to change up any headboard ....Heck I could switch out the headboard for the seasons.  And if your headboard is square and not ornate and scrolly like mine it would be sooooo easy!

....The best part....No headboards were injured in this process.

Happy Creating!
Carol



30 comments:

Mari said...

Carol what a great idea, I love it!!! I have a curvy headboard I have been wanted to change, this would work great ;-) thanks for sharing...

Hugs~
Mari

Kathy said...

Very clever and I like the way it turned out!

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

Wow that took some talent. I think I would have given up before I started. It looks gorgeous!!

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Melodee said...

you are amazing! you should publish a book....seriously Carol! All of your ideas are so simple and beautiful!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

You are just too clever! I really like the dark wood border, it makes the whole thing pop.

Bluebirdbasketry said...

This is exactly what I have been wanting to do in my daughter's room! I have the fabric but have never attempted it, I sure will now. I also love how your ideas are so inexpensive but look great. And Carol you know how I have been after you for years that you need to write a book :)

Sue

Connie said...

Carol you are a genius:)
Your headboard is beautiful and it is wonderful that you did not ruin the wood . . . such a smart girl:)
Now, I do not know what your kitchen looks like, but I was watch House Hunters International a couple weeks ago and this lady was looking for a small cottage in the French countryside. In one of the kitchens there was this fabulous back-splash behind the sink. So gorgeous that I have not been able to get it out of my mind. It was so much like your headboard only painted and antiqued. I'm thinking that it might be the perfect project for your foot board. Just a thought.
Here's wishing you a marvelous weekend. Oh, do you feel like a forties movie star when you sleep in your new bed?
Keep Smiling,
Connie :)

Debbi said...

Carol you are so resourceful! I wonder about the double stick tape tho--do they make it now so it will completely peel off the wood with no residue? I have a beautiful Stanley Victorian reproduction bed that I bought about 20 years ago--the wood is beautiful and could not bear to paint it, but this might be an option, just worry about that tape...

Betty said...

That looks beautiful. I wished we had a solid headboard. We have one of those metal beds and I don't care much for it.

From Hickory Hill said...

GENIUS!!! And beautiful!

lala said...

This is such a fantastic idea - love it!!!! I also just purchased an ornate headboard that has a damaged covering. I have been dreading redoing it, but with your idea - it should be a piece of cake! Thanks so much for sharing this!

Createology said...

Brilliant Carol Dear. I had no idea this is what you did by seeing the headboard in your new fancy Hollywood Regency bedroom. Ahh the Glamour of it all. Creative Bedroom Bliss...

Donna said...

Ingenious!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol, this is a grand idea and your steps are amazing. Love this and you should be in a magazine with your how to. It looks gorgeous.
Have a great weekend.
XO

Our Hopeful Home said...

What a fantastic idea (and execution)! I never would have guessed in a million years that it was actually placed on the front of the headboard. I have a four poster bed with a pretty plain wood headboard, so perhaps I could do this? My wheels are turning...thanks for the inspiration!
xoKathleen

geordiegirl said...

Lovely idea, looks great,but yes Connie, you are right in thinking you have to be prepared for the damage that the adhesive on the sticky pads will do to the finish of the wood should you wish to remove the padded board and reveal the wood. I've fallen foul of this happening to me. Carol from the UK :-) xo

Ros Crawford said...

That's so amazing and what a terrific result!! Well done to you!!

Martinel said...

Absolutely gorgeous...beautiful and clever...I adore your works, compliments:)

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

That was some intelligently creative thinkin' on your part, m' girl! I JUST LOVE IT! It's sooooooo beautimous! What an easy tutorial.

Hope your weekend is grand!

Hugs and happy highways,
Kelley~

must love junk said...

How creative! It looks so pretty!
Susan

Unknown said...

Wow how creative is this and I bet not only looks magnificent but only took about 1/4 of the time great idea.Susie

Debbie said...

Perfect!! I love the look of an upholstered headboard and this would be up my alley since I'm such a chicken about permanent change. (Getting much, much better all the time I'm proud to say...) I think this headboard just begged for it, too. The lines are so lovely and the scroll work on top sets it all off perfectly.

I really do love that room.
Isn't it nice to be working on something for YOURSELF for once?

Curtains in My Tree said...

How very smart
Now will you come over and help me with my scrolly headboard?

With your good tutorial I might could do this

Ivy and Elephants said...

Carol, you clever girl! What a brilliant and beautiful idea. Thank you so much for sharing, I'll have to give it a try. Your bedroom is just fabulous!
Hugs,
Patti

Jamie @ Domestically Vintage said...

Oh, my goodness, Carol! Your headboard is simply beautiful! I cannot believe it's removable and seems easy enough (I'm sure you just made it look easy). I had to giggle at your last comment, too funny! I'm off to check out your bedroom reveal post. Have a beautiful fall day! ~ Jamie

Becky said...

Boy, you sure are full of wonderful and creative ideas! This is awesome.

Teresa said...

I need a headboard.
Our bed doesn't have one. We sleep in sommiers and the headboard ends up being the stone wall but I'm afraid with time it will ruin the stone so I've been thinking of doing an headboard... any headboard.
I love your step-by-step explanation of yours.
You're so talented and everything your create - big or small - create a magic atmosphere. So in love with your *new* bedroom.
Thank you for sharing,
Teresa

Tea in the Library said...

This is brilliant. Book marking it right now.

Unknown said...

Love this I am going to do this asap and will be nice to be able to change when I am tired of color lol trust me happens a lot with me I need your advice how could I make it with buttons in a diamond pattern ? Thanks

Abdul said...

World class headboard nz here. We provide high quality products which you should buy. Invest in quality.. cheers
Amazing outcome to your design style.
Love the peaceful calm your room has taken on...the headboard a job and a half, but the outcome well worth it.