Headboard Re-Do

I was wondering if anyone else ever goes on Craigslist just to see what is out there? Not for anything in particular, but just to browse. I do it all the time. It's my version of window shopping from home. This past week I was craigslist shopping and I came upon a hidden gem. A queen sized, slightly broken, wooden headboard for 20 bucks! Massive Craigslist score! I have wanted to make a new headboard since I saw the first tutorial on Pinterest. But honestly, I don't have the power tools or workshop area to construct one from scratch. So this is my version of the tutorial with an existing headboard. Here it is in all its pre-worked glory:

  

After I picked up my rough diamond, I went straight to Lowe's and Jo-Ann's to load up on the necessities to polish this baby up:

Paneling Foam- $9

Liquid Nails for foam- $6 

15'x 4' Burlap Drop cloth- $20  

Batting- $9 for 3 yards

1/2" thick foam padding- $17 

I already had a heavy duty staple gun (which I highly recommend everyone get asap. They can be used for almost any project) Now to the assembly: 

• Remove the wooden legs that attach to the actual headboard. Measure and cut the foam to fill in the bottom of the headboard. Then apply the liquid nails and press the foam into place. 

• Repeat the measuring and gluing until the entire front of the headboard is covered in foam. 

• Allow the glue to dry overnight to make sure it is in place and solid before moving on to the next step. 

• After the drying process is finished, place the foam padding over entire headboard and staple to the sides and back of the wooden part of the headboard. Cut off excess padding. 

• Now place the batting over the entire headboard and staple. 

• This was when I reattached the legs to the headboard because I wanted the tops of the legs to be covered in burlap as well. If you wait to make reattaching the legs the last step, the upholstering with the burlap is easier. 

• Move the headboard from the surface it was on and lay out the burlap. I ironed the burlap to try to release as many wrinkles as possible. Next is the tricky step depending on how heavy your headboard is; place the headboard on the burlap leaving as much burlap on the ends as you can. 

• Fold over the top of the burlap and staple into place. Then move onto one of the sides and staple. Before stapling the other side and bottom, pull the burlap taught so there are as few wrinkles and bumps as possible. 

• Cut off the excess burlap when you are completely finished. Reattach the legs if you haven't already. You may or may not need longer screws then the ones the headboard came with. This is mine with the extra burlap over the legs. Your legs may or may not have this depending on when you reattached them. It's all a matter of taste. 

•  Before you hoist it upstairs or set it up, I recommend running the iron over it a few times and clipping any stray fibers. Then you are finished! Nothing better then spending less then $100 for what some places are charging $300 or more for. Now sit back, relax and admire your handiwork!