How to make an upholstered headboard with mirrored border

How to make an upholstered headboard with mirrored border. A simple DIY upholstered headboard that is easy to make and inexpensive.

Hi everyone! Hope you had a great week! I am yet again going back to my DIY archives to show you how my husband and I constructed the biggest focal point in my bedroom. The colossal six feet tall but simple upholstered headboard with mirrored border.  

At the time, I had envisioned a specific headboard style, I wanted it to be unique and make a statement. After, looking around for the right headboard and not finding it, we decided to make our own.

The best part of this headboard is that the upholstered section is easily interchangeable with another fabric if you want to get a whole new look.  

First, design the headboard and take measurements of the desired upholstered section.  The Upholstered portion will dictate the size of the surrounding moldings and mirror.

Supplies needed…

–  Two – 1/2″ – 4ft. by 8ft. plywood, MDF panel, or OSB panel (One panel can one panel can be enough for a shorter headboard)
–  Two – 2″ X 4″‘ wood for the legs
–  One – 1/4″ plywood or MDF for upholstered section
–  2″ foam
–  Batting
–  Fabric of choice – I used a soft velvet fabric
–  Simple molding slats for the border, I used 3″ molding and 1″ for the sides
–  Mirror strips cut to size at a glass & mirror store
–  Stain or paint
–  Spray adhesive
–  Mirror adhesive
–  Preferably nail gun
–  Heavy-duty stapler
–  Screws

Let’s get started with making the upholstered headboard with mirrored border.

The total size of the headboard was 92″W X 56″H and the upholstered insert was 72″W X 39″H.

Cut the plywood

First, cut the plywood or MDF to size, this can be done at Lowes or Home Depot (as long as you purchase the wood from them). We had to add an extra 8″ piece of plywood because plywood only comes in 4′ width.

Attach the legs

Screw in the 2 X 4′ legs to the back of the panel.  I measured where to place the 2″ X 4″s according to the metal frame of my bed so that I can screw in the metal frame to the 2″ X 4″ legs.

Here is the base of the headboard…

Make sure you do the math correctly for the size of all the components.   I was never very good in math or measuring so I did have some trials and tribulations, thanks to my hubby he was able to correct them.

Measure all the trim molding pieces and the mirrors all around before cutting the plywood.

After figuring out the size of the upholstered section, cut the 1/4″ plywood or MDF to the desired size.  

Spray the board with adhesive and place the upholstery foam on top and wrap with the batting. Staple the batting all around and cut the excess off.

Upholster the insert

Then, wrap the board with the fabric and staple it all around keeping the fabric taut.

Stain or paint all the wood molding pieces, make sure it is completely dry before handling it.

If you touch it prematurely they’ll be fingerprints left on there, I know, I did it! Ha Ha!

Attach trim molding and mirror

Next, add the trim molding all around the edge and side of the board by using the nail gun.

Then add the mirror to the perimeter of the headboard using mirror adhesive.  

Install the upholstered section

Then, insert the upholstered section and screw from behind the headboard to secure.  If you need to change the fabric in the future, just unscrew from the back to take out the insert, reupholster and screw it back in, it’s that simple.

Viola! You got yourself a custom headboard!

I am thrilled at the way it turned out, it really makes a bold statement in my bedroom.

This was just one of the projects I did in this bedroom, you can see my Ikea Rast makeover and the drum shade chandelier here and here. The last of my DIY projects in this room was the tab top curtains, I will be posting on them soon. Till then, hope you have a great day!

Looking for a different style headboard? Check out these beauties!

Thank you so much for stopping by!