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High, Low, and DIY: Bold-Print Upholstered Headboards

Our bed has gone naked for far too long, and it's time for some kind of a headboard, preferably a cushy one to lean against for reading. With our simple bedding, a headboard upholstered in a bold print should work beautifully. Of course, there are many different routes to consider, from custom artisan upholstery to a DIY project...

 
 

Looking for a beautiful, good quality upholstered headboard is challenging only in that there are so many varied options. Here are some favorites we found, on both ends of the budget spectrum, as well as a couple of great DIY tutorials...

FIRST ROW

1 If you've got money to spend and are looking for a long-term solution, custom upholstery may be your best option. A professional job should look perfect for a good long time, especially if you splurge on a gorgeous, high-quality fabric as well. But a custom upholstered headboard will be pricey, likely in the $800-1000 range, depending on your fabric choice. If you've got a great upholsterer in your area who will charge less, by all means share with us below! Photo from I Suwannee.

2 Antique upholstered headboards, like this one from 1st Dibs, can be the perfect complement to a modern aesthetic. Like any vintage upholstered furniture, however, an old headboard would need to be cleaned well before use, and the cost is high; this one is going for $1,800 from Ellen Ward Scarborough Antiques.

3 You can always count on Anthropologie when it comes to costly, but beautiful, upholstered furniture. The Lorraine Ikat headboard, with its rich colors and classic curves, is lovely, but a definite splurge at $1,998 for a queen.

4 The Annie Selke collection for Vanguard Furniture is drool-worthy all around, but we love this particular headboard most of all. Its slightly strange Victorian shape and subtle paisley print almost make it worth the $1,815 price tag. Or maybe not.

5 Heading down to the low end now... we love this adorable yellow and white confection from Urban Outfitters. The Emilio Lemondrop headboard, at only $428, seems like a steal, though it only comes in full/queen.

SECOND ROW

6 and 7 Two striped versions, the first from Ikea ($199), and the second from DwellStudio for Target ($299.99), are relatively inexpensive and cute if you don't want or need your headboard to last forever.

8 Target also carries a selection of slipcovers for a basic upholstered headboard. The slipcovers come in lots of nice bold prints and cost from $69.99-$99.99, while the headboard itself goes for $129.99-$199.99. This might be a fun way to change up your bedroom look for the seasons.

9 Grace's upholstered headboard tutorial on Design*Sponge is so detailed and encouraging that we're starting to think a DIY headboard is in our future. She's got a step-by-step video of herself making the headboard, a complete set of instructions, and even a template you can print out and bring to a carpenter.

10 Jenny on Little Green Notebook also did some amazing upholstering recently; if you've got an existing upholstered headboard to work with, she shows you how to re-do the job yourself. Her daughters' twin beds turned out just beautifully, and as always, her step-by-step photos are incredibly helpful.

Tags

Bedroom, beds & mattresses, DIY, upholstery, antique, headboard projects, bold prints

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Comments (5)

great posting...might be brave enough and try tackling one of these...i definitely can't afford the pretty ones.

posted by rosaleen on September 23rd 2009 at 12:02am
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One of these would look great with a contrasting accent wall. You could really change the look of your bedroom for less than $100 by covering the headboard from Target with fabric and painting an accent wall.

posted by ChayaG on September 24th 2009 at 10:42am
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For anyone looking to have a graphic print headboard made, I can help. I design and have made all types of upholstered furniture and custom woodwork. Prices are comparable to Crate and Barrel and custom made just for you and your space.

I found some amazing fabric collections at

http://www.funkyfabrix.com.au/

For more info: contact Tracy

Tracy Steele Designs
tsteeledesigns@me.com
646.337.3341

posted by tsteele on September 25th 2009 at 8:19pm
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By all means, if you want to change up your bedroom for under $50 (depending on your fabric choice), go the DIY route! I've made a few, ranging from twin to queen size beds. Mine has lasted through grad school, moving, and now has been reupholstered to meet the boy's requirements. To make life 100x easier, make friends with your Lowe's lumber guy. They'll cut basic lines for you and will even predrill for your hardware if needed. For the best backing, get memory foam mattress covers during back to school sales. $15 and they can be custom cut to your design. Have fun!

posted by devonclaire on September 27th 2009 at 8:40am
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Theres some brilliant fabrics around etsy.com give them a try!

posted by click4beds on November 2nd 2009 at 10:23am
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