Upholstered Headboard with Stacked Wood Frame

Directions

• Headboard Frame - 2 x 2 boards

  Start with the 2 x 2 boards. Drill pocket holes into one end of each of the short pieces.
  

• Headboard Frame - 2 x 2 boards

  Drill pocket holes along the length of each short 2x2 board every 8-10 inches on the lower half of the board. Your short 2x2's should end up looking like this.
  

• Headboard Frame - 2 x 2 boards

  Repeat the pocket holes along the side of the longer 2 x 2, then assemble those pieces into a U shape. The pocket holes along the sides should be facing inward.
  

• Headboard Frame - 2 x 3 boards

  Place your 2x2 U-shaped frame on top of the edges of the plywood backing. Next, set the 2 x 3 boards around the edge of the plywood. They should be resting on the worktable next to the plywood. Clamp the 2x2's and 2x3's together as shown. The plywood is being used as a spacer, and doesn't need to be clamped.
  

• Headboard Frame - 2 x 3 boards

  Using 2 1/2" pocket hole screws, attach the 2x2 frame to the 2x3s through the holes on the inside edge.
  

• Headboard Frame - plywood backing

  Remove the frame from the plywood. Drill pocket holes in the plywood every 8-10 inches along three sides, towards the outside edge.
  

• Headboard Frame - plywood backing

  Lay your frame upside down on a flat worktable, and fit the plywood into the back. Clamp the plywood in place, then attach to the frame with 1" pocket hole screws.
  

• Headboard Frame - 1x4 boards

  Flip the headboard over, and place your 1 x 4 pieces on the inside of the frame. Mark the inner edge of the 1 x 4s on the plywood with a pencil. These marks will indicate where to put your foam later on.

  You should have a scrap of plywood left over from cutting the backing out of a 4x8 foot sheet. With the 1 x 4's in place, measure the distance between the two short pieces at the bottom of the headboard. Cut the scrap plywood to fit. This piece will be behind the mattress and won't be seen. It will help support the foam and protect your mattress from the staples.
  

• Headboard Frame - Stain or Paint

  Remove the 1x4 pieces and the bottom plywood piece you just cut to fit. Paint or stain your headboard frame, the 1x4 pieces and bottom plywood piece. You don't need to paint or stain the plywood backing in the center of the headboard.

• Headboard Upholstery

  Measure the dimensions you marked when you traced the 1x4 boards, and cut a piece of foam to fit. Apply spray adhesive to the back of the foam and place it on the plywood frame, lining it up with your pencil marks. Then drape the leather or fabric over the foam, allowing it to hang over the edges. There should be enough extra fabric or leather all the way around to staple to the plywood backing.
  

• Headboard Upholstery

  Fit the 1x4 boards between the frame and the leather. The boards should cover up the edges of the leather and the staples. Attach the 1x4's to the plywood with 1" nails. Use the long strip of plywood to cover up the bottom edge.

  Dab a bit of stain into the nail holes if any new wood is showing through.
  

• Hanging Your Headboard

  Figure out where you want to attach your headboard to the wall, and mark the center. Keep in mind that the plywood at the bottom should rest behind the mattress. Attach one side of the French cleat to the wall, making sure to hit at least one stud. Attach the other side of the cleat to the back of the headboard, then just hook the two sides of the cleat together to hang on the wall!