How to Make an Upholstered Headboard for Kids

Since beds are the definitive point of any room, headboards are the definitive central point of any bed, regardless of whether the occupant of the room is an adult or a child. However, since kids grow so rapidly and their tastes, interests, likes, dislikes and also their physical sizes change very rapidly, spending a lot of money on a bed or a headboard simply doesn't make a lot of economic sense. But you can fashion a headboard for kids in an afternoon that's inexpensive and simple and that features their favorite toys or superheroes.

Corkboard
Chalk
Jigsaw
Measuring tape
Foam
Batting
Shears or utility knife
Staple gun
Sheet

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a large piece of corkboard with a vinyl coating on the back. Draw the shape you want your headboard to have with a piece of chalk. For example, a standard rectangular headboard for a child's-size bed is 41 inches by 45 inches, but your headboard can be any shape or size you like.
- 2
  Cut out your headboard shape with a jigsaw. Measure a piece of foam and piece of batting that are both 3 inches longer and wider than the shape of your headboard. Cut them out with a pair of shears or some utility tape.
- 3
  Lay the piece of foam facedown on a flat surface. Place the headboard on top of the foam, also facedown. Place the sides of the foam taut against the back of the headboard. Staple them in place with a staple gun. Repeat with batting.
- 4
  Select a flat sheet that depicts one of your child's favorite fictional characters. Cut it to the same dimensions that you cut the foam and batting.
- 5
  Place the sheet facedown on a flat surface. Place the side of the headboard that's covered with foam and batting on the center of the sheet that's facedown. Pull the sides of the sheet against the back of the headboard and staple in place. The headboard is now ready for mounting to the wall.

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