How to Build a Padded Headboard

Cut your plywood so that it is 4 inches wider than the width of your bed. Use a circular saw, or have the plywood cut at the home improvement store. The height of the plywood can vary according to your preference. However, it should extend at least 2 inches below the height of your mattress and be tall enough so you can rest against it comfortably.

Lay out the plywood on the floor or other work surface in a well-ventilated area. Coat the front of the plywood with spray adhesive.

Cut the foam to the same size as the plywood. It should cut easily with scissors. Press it onto the plywood.

Cut the quilt batting and your fabric so they are at least 4 inches larger than the plywood on all sides. Lay the fabric out on the floor, right side down, with the quilt batting on top. Smooth out any wrinkles.

Flip over the plywood and lay it foam-side down on the batting and fabric. Make sure there are 4 inches of batting and fabric extending beyond the wood on all four sides.

Fold the fabric and batting over the left side of the wood and secure it with your staple gun. Pull the right side of the fabric taut and fold it over the right side of the plywood. Staple it down, making sure the fabric is tight and unwrinkled. Pull the top of the fabric down and staple across its length. Pull the bottom of the fabric taut, fold it over and staple, keeping it tight and wrinkle-free.

Pull the point of each corner down in turn. Tuck the fabric on the sides underneath, and staple in place.

Measure 6 inches down from the top edge of the plywood all the way across, and mark with a pencil. Screw in one side of your French cleat hardware, centering it along the line.

On the wall where you're going to mount the headboard, mark the point 6 inches below where you want the top of your headboard to be. Using a level as a straightedge, draw a line the same length as your French cleat hardware, centering it on the wall behind your bed. Mark the holes for the cleat's screws. Drill holes and insert the wall anchors that came with the French cleat. Put the wall half of the cleat in place over the wall anchors and screw into place with a screwdriver.

Lift the headboard and slide the cleat on the headboard into place over the cleat on the wall. Once the headboard is mounted, push the bed in place.