$30 DIY headboard

James and I have been wanting a new headboard for a while now. However, the lack of funds has held us back. However, we got the brilliant idea to substitute some of the materials needed to make a headboard with things we already had.

List of materials we used: ($30 total)

- cardboard ($0)

- 2 yards of quilt batting ($8)

- tape, packing or duct

- staple gun

- 2 yards of fabric ($12)

So here is our process to our very low budget headboard:

1. Take huge pieces of cardboard. This was just lying around our warehouse at work.

2. Tape pieces of cardboard together. It would be best if you could find 1 piece of cardboard that was the right size instead of using 2 separate pieces like we had to.

3. Measure ideal size of headboard and cut cardboard to appropriate size.

4. Cut out a design or shape for top of headboard. James used different sized bowls to trace and make the round cuts. Using a box cutter would be best for this step.

5. Lay cardboard shape over quilt batting and cut a 2 inch perimeter around cardboard.

6. Fold batting around cardboard edge and Tape batting around the cardboard. Less tension means fluffier headboard.

7. Take your fabric and iron out any creases you may have in it. (I usually skip this step when using material and always regret it in the end.)

8. Then lay headboard on fabric and cut 2 inch perimeter of fabric around headboard.

9. Fold over fabric around edge of headboard. pulling tight and using a staple gun, staple fabric through batting and cardboard. The starting points would be the top and bottom centers and working outward. 

Then your done! Now, normally I would suggest using plywood instead of cardboard, but when that is all you have, you just have to improvise... :)  I will have to add a picture soon of it mounted behind our bed.

 

If you try this or if you have made a DIY headboard, I would love to see it! Post a link to share it!