Restoration Hardware Headboard Knockoff... On a major budget!!!

Okay, so I have been busy working with a client finishing up some rooms and I can't even wait to show you the final results!! For now, you get a sneak peek while I do a headboard tutorial.

You guys.  This is my favorite headboard I have made to date.  And once it was done I was reeeealllly wanting to make myself one.  But I will have to wait until we move again.

Anyways. Here goes.

Now that is VERY Restoration Hardware if you ask me!

Start with your board.  Lumber can be pricey so I get the plumbing underlayment from Home Depot.  It comes in a giant sheet... like 4'x8' (1" thick) and ranges b/t $10-$20.  While I am there, I have them cut it down to the dimensions I need on their giant saw (so far I have never been charged, but usually the first 2-3 cuts are free)  You will want your headboard 5' wide (the width of a queen bed) and this one I only did 3' tall. Because that is what would fit inside my car haha.  But you can make it as tall as you want really.

Then I got 2 furring boards. They are 1"x3" and 8' long.  Have them cut them down into 3 pieces: 1 5'6", and 2 that are the height of your headboard. If your headboard is 3' high, you will get 2 pieces that are 3' long.

Sand and stain your furring boards (these will be the boarder of the bed) I used Minwax Classic Gray. 

I always lay my headboard on a folding table, it is just easier to work with.

I got my fabric on sale (always look for the upholstery fabrics to go on sale). It was 50% off, regularly $20 a yard.  And for a queen size bed you need 2 yards which is 6 feet.  Make sure your fabric is at least a yard wide.  Mine was 48" which was plenty.  I went with a neutral beige linen because I was going for the RH look.

First you will cover your board with batting.  I got this on sale also.  If you buy in the bag, it is usually twice as much as if you buy it by the yard.  Just a little tip :)

Pull it around and staple it to the back.  I got my stapler at WalMart for like $20 and I have used it SO much.  It works great.  It is Stanley brand and not a plug in or anything.  You just need a little muscle :)

Next, add your fabric.  Make sure and pull the fabric really tight and fold the corners so that they lay smooth. With the wood boarder, they don't have to be perfectly beautiful.

Below: Look at that coloring!!! I am in love with this stain color.  I use a foam craft brush to brush on and then wipe off with a paper towel.

Next you will build your boarder.   So find the sides that you think are most beautiful and put them face down on the floor.  You will make a 'u' shape with your 5'6" one at the top.  I bought these little metal corners at Home Depot and they were SUPER strong.  Use a triangle to make sure your corners are perfectly 90', mark where your screws will go with a pen because as you screw it will move a little and as long as your screws are in the right places, it will be a perfect angle.

Okay, getting this to fit was a bit more tricky than I thought.  It was a tight squeeze which was great because my measurements were exact. You will probably have to mess with it a bit and use some muscles to make it fit.  Then use more of those metal plates (but they're just straight like this) to screw into the back.  I did 2 spaced out on each side and 2 on the top.  That thing is not going anywhere.

Then you will start with your nailhead trim. (spoiler- I found this at WalMart for a fraction of the price you would pay at a hardware store!! They worked really great! I got 3 boxes and didn't use them all.)  I just eyeballed it and spaced them about an inch and a half apart.  Tip: when you're getting to a corner, put one in the corner and then move back towards the nailhead.  This will make sure you get it placed perfectly in the corner and you can fudge a little on the spacing between the other ones. Does that make sense?

Okay. I'm dumb. I didn't take any pics of the rest. But it's easy.  This is held up by 2x4's and once the bed is pushed up against it, it will stay! Promise!  Measure your bed from the floor to the top of the mattress and subtract an inch.  This will be where you mark your 2x4 and where your headboard will sit off the ground.  Mine happened to be 28" tall.  Make sure your 2x4's are perfectly even and screw them into the back of the headboard.  I always draw a line on the back of the headboard where I want the 2x4's to hit.  Screw in and you're done!

Okay okay.  That's it for the sneak peaks.  But look at that headboard!!! Swoon. I want one now.

Price breakdown:

Plywood board: $20

Wood boarder: $3

Batting: $9

Fabric: $20

Nailhead: $3

Mending Plates: $5

2x4: $2

Grand Total: $62.00

You heard me.

And I think this took 2-3 hours.

So basically, why are you not on your way to Home Depot to get started right now??

Thanks for reading!

xoxo Bre