- 1). Lay the headboards on the floor side by side with the right sides up. Measure 9 inches in on each from where the two meet. Cut off the 9-inches from each headboard using a jigsaw.
- 2). Cut straight across the top of the headboards with a jigsaw to create a flat edge. You want to remove any finials or other decorative curves.
- 3). Sand the surface of the two headboards using medium-grit sandpaper and an electric sander. Sand until all the paint or varnish is removed. Dust the surface of the headboards with a dry paintbrush or damp rag to remove the debris left by sanding.
- 4). Paint the surface of the headboards using wood paint. Apply two coats if necessary for full coverage. Let the paint dry between coats, overnight.
- 5). Place two 1-by-2-by-12-inch wood planks onto the two headboards. Position the planks so that they are centered over the middle where the two headboards meet. Place one 6 inches from the top edge and one 6 inches from the bottom edge of the headboards, aligned horizontally. Attach them in place using four 2-inch wood screws on each plank. Drill the screws through the wood into the headboard.
- 6). Turn the headboards over. Attach two more 1-by-2-by-12-inch wood planks to the back of the headboard. Use four more 2-inch screws per planks, positioning them the same as the ones in front. This time, space them 4 inches below the top and bottom edge of the headboards so the screws do not butt into the screws on the front.
- 7). Turn the headboards right side up again. Place a piece of 1-inch upholstery foam onto the two headboards. The exact width and height depends on the headboards you’re working with. However, you want the foam to cover from the top edge to 1-inch above where the top of the mattress sits. Also, stretch it from side to side. For example, if the mattress sits 25 inches above the ground, the headboard is 40-by-64 inches, use a 1-by-14-by-64-inch piece of foam. Or, use several pieces of foam to achieve the right size.
- 8). Coat the headboard with spray adhesive and attach the foam onto the joined headboards. Press the foam firmly to the adhesive and let it dry for two to three hours.
- 9). Cut a piece of fabric that is 8-inches longer and wider than the measurement of the foam. Place the fabric face down on a clean work surface. Place the foam side down on top of the fabric. Center the headboard so the fabric wraps around the top and both sides of the headboard, but not the bottom.
- 10
Pull the left center of the fabric over the edge of the headboard. Pull it taut and place one staple, using a staple gun, through the fabric into the back of the headboard. Pull the right center of the fabric over the edge of the headboard. Pull it taut, as you did the left side, and staple the fabric down. Repeat the process with the top edge of fabric. Once all three sides are pulled over the edge of the headboard and stapled in the center, apply additional staples around the edges to secure the fabric in place. - 11
Turn the headboard over so the foam and fabric-covered side are up. Pull the bottom edge of the fabric taut. Place one staple in the center of the fabric into the front of the headboard. Add additional staples along the edge of the fabric to secure it.
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