How to make a headboard with egg crate foam
April 18, 2010
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How to make a headboard with egg crate mattress foam.
Well before this blog was a twinkle in my eye, I was making headboards instead of buying them. DIY headboards are nothing new and I’m sure you’ve seen a ton around blogland. They are all over the “land” because they are one of the easiest and cheapest updates you can make to a bedroom – with very little time and moola you can have a custom piece for your room.
Mine are pretty basic – no cutting of wood! (I don’t count what the guys at the hardware store do for me!) The headboard for the Bub’s room is slightly different than what I did in the past:
The one above is the simplest I’ve done – just a piece of plywood cut to size, covered with batting and then fabric. That’s it! I didn’t completely staple the fabric all the way around, and just screwed the board into studs on the wall, then secured the fabric with a staple gun around the edges (while it was on the wall).
To cover the staples I used pretty trim and hot glue. Easy peasy squeeeeezays! I did the same process in our bedroom before we got our four poster bed. (I know I have a picture somewhere – I’ll try to dig it up.)
Anyhoo…normally you use foam in the process – but I had never used it because of the cost. If you haven’t noticed – foam is wicked expensive. It’s a petroleum-based product, so it fluctuates with the cost of gas.
I've always used an egg crate mattress topper instead of foam because it's so much cheaper.
For the our son's headboard, I got the full size mattress topper and I ended up using two pieces to make it extra cushy:
Just lay your plywood (that you had cut at the hardware store) on top, trace it out and cut it. The bonus about this egg crate stuff is it’s SO much easier to cut than regular foam. I used spray adhesive to adhere it to the plywood. (When I say “adhere” – I mean stick just enough till I can wrap fabric around it.)I didn’t even use plywood for this headboard – I used the board that the baby mattress laid on from his crib. I kept thinking I could do something fab with it – and I did. Score!:
Usually I use batting for the next step, but the piece I had wasn’t big enough, and I didn’t want to spend any extra cash. So I just used extra muslin from my stash. (I’m a poet and I didn’t even know it!) This stuff is as little as $1.99 a yard -- way cheaper than batting. You could also use an old sheet – basically any thin fabric.I stapled and stapled aaaaaaand stapled:
And had a nicely wrapped headboard, waiting for the beautiful blue fabric:
I did the same with the blue fabric, then installed little hangy thingamabobs to hang it:
You can see the corners are a bit of a mess from the back – as long as the sides are presentable, who cares? Not me!
The result was a beautiful, soft headboard for under $30 (for fabric and egg crate foam):
This is the fabric I used for the drapes in his little window nook, and I ADORE it. I had all kinds of ideas to add a little somethin’ to this headboard – I was going to tuft it with buttons, but when I got it up I realized you wouldn’t even see them when the bed was made because of the pillows. Even though we never make beds in this house, I still didn’t think it needed tufting. ;)
Then I was going to add molding around the edges, but I when I held it up, it just was too much – and I have enough molding going on in the room as it is.
I was going to add nail head trim around the sides, but Joann’s was flat out of it today (argh!) and now I’m thinking that may look a little skimpy along the side…I’m not sure.
For now, I absolutely love it as is! It’s sooooo soft and smooshy!
This whole headboard project took less than two hours to complete – I started it when Father of the Bride 2 began, and finished well before mother and daughter had their babies. (I cried. Like I always do. Even though it’s insanely cheesy – I love those movies!)
The headboard turned out beautiful. I really like the fabric and can't wait to see the rest of the room! I also love the airplane pictures and frames!
ReplyDeleteMy cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I have been thinking about doing one for my guest room too! So Thank you much-o!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this idea. I think I could do this project, which if you knew me, is a statement of faith!
ReplyDeleteNever a dull moment with you, Sarah! Once again, it's just lovely. I adore that fabric!
ReplyDeletethis turned out so cute! Can't wait to see the whole room! I just did a make over on my nephew's room, and we did a padded headboard...it turned out SOOOO cute...IF you want to see it, here is the link
ReplyDeletehttp://delightindecor.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-post.html
I've been so inspired by your blog! I have 3 boys under the age of 7, and I'm always struggling to find great ideas for their rooms. Thanks for all of your wonderful ideas! One quick question though... Where did you get the fabric for the headboard? I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteLove it! I did the same thing for my daughter's room, but used a wood pallet instead.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of an extra-smooshy headboard. I've been messing with an idea to use something over the top of the smooshy headboard so that the smooshiness pokes through.... that probably sounds pretty confusing! I just need to think some more about how that will happen - but your egg-carton padding really is the perfect idea!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the whole room. I will have a "big boy" room to do pretty soon myself.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Can't wait to see the whole room!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to make my own headboard for one of my guest bedrooms. I see that you attach the headboard directly to the wall, but how did you attach it to the bed. The bed I would be using has wheels on it and sits on a hardwood floor and has been known to move at times. So, how would I attach the headboard to the bed so the bed stays stationary and centered beneath the headboard? Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
Love how it is hung from the wall, this makes the project much more simple. I have to try this! Janell
ReplyDeleteSadly, I bet the spam comments are coming in because you have "big boy" in the title.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, LOVE the headboard. Maybe I'll finally take the plunge and make one myself!
That is such a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing it..step by step! Love your blog!
ReplyDelete-Nicole
Fabulous, you make it sound so easy! Love how padded and comfy it looks!
ReplyDeleteTracey
I have been wanting to just this exact thing in our master bedroom! Thank you so much!! You have just saved me tons of grief and ...boy...our head board is going to look so awesome. I'm a quilter, so this will be an easy project for me and I'm a DIYer. I just am glad you showed us how before I had to figure it out for myself.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to tell all my readers about this post at Comin' Home. I do everything on a tight budget and would rather die than pay for a headboard.
As it is, I have some really gorgeous Victorian deep red tapestry with gold Fleur DE lis on it that I paid a mint for. (What was I thinking?!) I hated to see it go to waste and now I know exactly how to use it.
This is a great post. Thanks a bunch!
PS. I'm a new follower and so glad to have found your blog! It is now on my blog roll. I will be visiting often. :o)
Cannot wait to see the finished product:) Love the headboard, great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteLooks great, Sarah! :) I love Father of the Bride. :) A good movie to work to!
ReplyDeleteLove it Sarah! Quick, cheap and super easy...but BIG impact. I had to laugh at your "corner" comment. Mine always used to look like that until I learned how to do them (it really is easier than you think).
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great Sarah! I just love that fabric. I can't wait to see the rest of the room.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I've been making headboards for a long time, and all I've ever used is the foam mattress pads. That idea came to me when I wanted an upholstered headboard and had plenty of fabric but no money to spend on foam. . . I love the way that we all think more creatively when we need to stretch our dollars!
ReplyDeleteI recently re-covered these same headboards. Check out this post if you like: http://impartinggrace-richella.blogspot.com/2010/02/updating-old-project.html . You can see that I added decorative cording around the edges--I love the way it looks, and it took less than five minutes to staple around.
It looks wonderful. I love it. I made one for our bed and it really is easy. Yours is wonderful. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteOne of these days, I'm going to DO something like this! For now, however, we have wooden headboards for the boys' beds and that'll do (for now!)
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial, too. I'm glad you're not some anal-retentive perfectionist (on the back side of it)... that kind of thing makes projects IMPOSSIBLE for me to actually do!
Thanks, chicka, for keepin' it real!
Such a tease you are. :) I wanna see it all!
ReplyDeleteFabulous so far!
Donna
I've said 2,354 times...I want to make an upholstered headboard!
ReplyDeleteAnd 2,354 times, something far less fun and far more urgent (like taking one of the evil cats to the emergency vet, or a helping a child with an critical research project) gets in my way.
That is lovely!
Hello sweet Sarah - love the way the headboard turned out! Not only is the pattern in the fabric fabulous, but you've made the tutorial look so easy even I might be able to attempt it! Those egg crate mattresses are really inexpensive! Hmmm...the wheels of my brain are turning. I want to try it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
We bought my daughter a new mattress and box spring over the weekend and it is to be delivered tomorrow. Originally I had planned to try and find a way to use an old wooden headboard and footboard that I have, but now I am thinking this might be the way to go. Love it and can't wait to see the whole finished project!
ReplyDeleteWe bought my daughter a new mattress and box spring over the weekend and it is to be delivered tomorrow. Originally I had planned to try and find a way to use an old wooden headboard and footboard that I have, but now I am thinking this might be the way to go. Love it and can't wait to see the whole finished project!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous daaahhhhhling ! Love the fabric and love the muslin tip ! Will adopt pronto. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo I went to your blog because I've been thinking about making a headboard but didn't know where to start. So I thought, "What would Thrifty Decor Chick do? I'll go look at at her blog!" And then you had this post up! Thank you so much! I can't wait to get started on my headboard!
ReplyDeleteWow, this turned out wonderful, I love the fabric you have! You have given me inspiration to try this! Thank you, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteKristin
It looks great and so doable! (Perhaps spammer likes cheesy movie references? I love that movie too! Speaking of movies, did you decide to take Bubs to How to Train a Dragon?)
ReplyDeleteYour (or should I say the bub's) headboard turned out wonderful. I agree it looks great the way it is and I would wait until all the bedding is on before adding anything else.
ReplyDeleteEgg Crates! AMAZING idea! I've been staying away from making a headboard because I didn't want to spend $$ on the foam at JoAnn's!
ReplyDeleteThis looks great and like something I could do when we're ready to move Monkey into a big girl bed, thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteI likey! If he's rolling around, he won't hurt his noggin, now will he? Very clever, using the egg crat foam... THe other foam is way harder to cute, and sooooo expensive!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric that you used! Just enough texture/pattern. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeletePerfect. I love how you repurposed the crib board and the hanging thingies-interesting. We just lean our headboard against the wall.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you for this post. I found really inexpensive fabric a few weeks ago to make a headboard for my daughter but really didn't know where to begin. I already went and bought my egg crate. Just need to get some plywood and I am good to go. I LOVE your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired to make myself a new headboard!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work... =)
I love the headboard, I love Father of the Bride, 1 and 2, old, and remake, and bed making is not a priority in this house either. Sisters seperated at birth??? If so, then you got 90% of the talent, so not fair! Cant wait to see the room, Sue
ReplyDeleteThis turned out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThis is totally cute! I love your blog. I'm working on fixing up my little girl's room from a baby room to a toddle room. I can take some of your cute ideas and make them girly, yay!
ReplyDeleteI never thought to use the egg crate foam...what a great idea!! See...every time I visit...I learn something new. This headboard is super cute...loving how the Bubs room is turning out!
ReplyDeleteHugs and love to you,
Victoria
You make it look so easy! And, I love those Father of the Bride movies too. We have the first one saved on Tivo, and the girls love it as much as I do.
ReplyDeleteHunt u down? No! Well, maybe. I'm sooo patient. I don't even check ur blog for updates when I'm asleep.
ReplyDeleteI just need ur guidance, that's all! Getting ready to do b&b in my entryway.
Love u,
bye
Angie :-)
Hi Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThe space is looking really good! Love the headboard! Hreat job!
Lindsay
A Design Story
This is just fabulous or GORG as you say!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
I just love the room. So many details and the headboard is great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I'll be doing this for my bedroom. We need a headboard for a superking bed and they are so expensive - this is perfect! Thankyou x
ReplyDeleteI'm SOOOO glad you made this post! I have been wanting to make a headboard for my master bedroom for months now and didn't quite know how to go about it. Thank you! It looks beautiful! and easy!
ReplyDeleteOkay....I think we are kindred spirits. Why? Because I just got through shopping at goodwill yesterday (our Goodwills get merchandise from Target that is brand new! Does yours?) and I just made a head board for my guest bedroom. Maybe next I'll try moulding.....
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the headboard
ReplyDeleteI've been searching several different sites that offer an easy DIY headboard projects & this was perfect for me & set me out on an adventure to do my own
Great work!
WOW! So easy and cheap! Love it this is going to be my next project!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah, I stumbled upon your blog by accident when I was searching for DIY ideas for a headboard..and what a happy accident it was!! absolutely love your ideas and your creativity!! I am definitely going to try my hand at the headboard making with your ideas...Thanks again for the inspiration!! - Sujaya
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah. I have been wanting a bedhead for ages and never found one I liked. Today I used your instructions and made one myself. It was easy and looks great! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah! It's so encouraging! I am gonna start 2013 with a new headboard in my bedroom. It's so exciting and empowering.
ReplyDeleteMirella
HI Sarah, Am a complete newbie to DIY furniture. Can one person do this project ? Or do i need to ask a friend to help me out with it ?
ReplyDeleteYou make it fun, and so inspiringly easy for a D.I.Yer who double-thinks everything. I can do this! Thankyou.
ReplyDelete