How To: Transform a Fireplace Mantel into a Headboard
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…
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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.
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)