I’ve never thought of myself as the upholstered headboard type, but I am a DIYer to a fault, so my first thought upon spotting a lonely mantelpiece at a local antique shop was, “great headboard.” When the shopkeeper offered it to me for $10, I convinced myself that upholstered headboards were the only way to go. Here’s how it went from hearth to dream space…
My main hang-up with upholstered headboards is their tendency to appear too fussy and overdone, so I decided to leave most of the mantel’s worn original finish untouched for a more casual look. Here’s a play-by-play of the updates I did make.
1. I measured the inside of the mantel piece (where the fireplace would be), and then took the measurements to the hardware store to buy a board that I could use as my insert. I tacked on an extra 1 ½ inches to each side so that I’d have enough space to secure the board to the mantel. For price and sturdiness purposes, I used non-formaldehyde containing OSB board—big mistake! The OSB had an awful chemically smell that only goes away with time. I probably should have used plywood reinforced with a frame of 2x4s.
2. I cut a piece of upholstery foam that was the same dimensions as the inside of the mantel (not the board insert), and attached it to the board with spray adhesive.
3. I lay a sheet of painter’s canvas drop cloth (instead of fabric) on the floor, and put the insert foam side down on top of it.
4. I cut the canvas about 4 inches wider than the board.
5. Starting at the top of the board, I pulled the canvas just tight enough so that it was taught but not puckering, and secured it to the back of the board (the non-foam side) with a staple gun.
6. Once the cloth was secured in place, I flipped the board around and mapped out a grid for where I wanted the upholstery nails (a.k.a. nail head) to be.
7. I used a hammer to pound the upholstery nails in, creating a tufted look.
8. I painted the inner trim of the headboard to match the upholstery nails.
9. I placed the mantel facedown on the ground, backed it with the upholstered board, and used 7 wood screws (1 in each of the 4 corners and 1 in the middle of each of the 3 sides of the mantel) to connect the upholstered board to the mantelpiece.
10. I secured the mantel to the wall with L-brackets painted the same color as the mantel.
Total time: about 2 hours
Total cost: $65
As with a fireplace mantel, a mantel headboard gives you an extra place to play with arrangements--just be sure to secure heavy objects to the wall!
Resources: Home Depot: OSB board, screws, upholstery nails, drop cloth, L-brackets, staple gun.Jo-Ann Fabrics: upholstery foam, spray adhesive.
(Images: left side of 1: Traditional Home, right side of 1: Domino, 2-6: Leah Moss)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
excellent idea!
view mvastudios's profile
what is the name of the antique store? i'm looking for a few good ones in the dc area. thanks!
view SusieC's profile
Innovative and well done.
view Sydney's profile
I love this. And it's very topical for me. Our bed is pushed up against a non-functioning fireplace. It's the best use of space but I want/need a headboard and even if I could afford a $500 one, almost no headboards come low enough to clear the mantle. I wish my mantle had as much architectural interest as this one, but it's basically just a shelf. I'm trying to figure out how to make a headboard that'll work in the space I have. It's just going to take some creativity.
view margrietta's profile
beautiful.
view Signe's profile
So creative! And beautifully done to boot.
I just love your design sensibility- it's very reminscent of the remake of Pride & Prejudice from a few years ago.
view NightVale's profile
Looks fantastic! Very clever idea!
view suzy8track's profile
Leah, I love your DIY spirit and eye!!! Great Work- thanks for sharing!!
view j9brennan's profile
Very nice, and I like the idea of using those canvas painter's cloths for decoration. I've always liked their weight and texture.
view Liana's profile
Lovely!
view Tara77's profile
That is super cute! I could do this by moving my bedroom to the front of the house if only that room was as quiet, still inspiring.
The natural canvas and gold frame is very pretty..love it
view LoriSF's profile
wow! Anthropologie stylists look out for Leah!
view kimg924's profile
Leah here, thanks for all the enthusiasm!
SusieC- The shop where I bought the business is no longer in business unfortunately. The old lady who ran it passed away recently. BUT, the DC area has so many great antique stores. My favorites are in old town Kensington, MD, just off the Conn. Ave. 495 exit. I'll plan on doing a post on them in the near future. Other favorites are in historic Leesburg, VA.
view LeahDC's profile
I am blown away with yout creativity, well done and enjoy!
view Haunted_Studio's profile
heh. i did the same sort of thing by just pushing my box spring and mattress stack against the existing headboard, then tacking a pretty piece of fabric in the space where the wall showed through. less intensive, and allows me to change the fabric/colors with my mood. people often ask me where i got my "bed" because they love it... and i get to tell them the secret -- it's seriously just two box springs with a mattress on top, pushed against a mantle!
view lizkid's profile
Looks great!
view genjenn's profile
Great DIY project. The nailhead detail and gold trim were an excellent choice. Finishes off the headboard wonderfully!
view designclique's profile
you did such a fantastic job. i love it!
view abigailbelle's profile
We need a headboard and we have a lovely old mantel in the attic. Bingo! Thanks for the idea. Looks great.
view mrsegg's profile
i love this. thanks for posting!
view jeanneadele's profile
Wow. I'm amazed. And just when I started to hate my non-working fireplace, this idea crosses my path. Thanks so much for this post!
view dp17's profile
I purchased a mantel on ebay for my full size bed finished painting it this weekend and my wife loves it. Thanks for the idea.
view mrichards's profile