Our bedroom is the catch-all place.
I think it's the room that I know nobody will just waltz in unless invited, so I don't worry as much.
And, I'm totally ok with that, but our bed was looking ridiculous. We are grown adults, and we needed an "adult" bed.
Since my two strongest characteristics seem to be cheap and stubborn, I decided that we should make it ourselves. So, I did what I always do when I want to take on something new--I read and read and read. Mostly blogs with lots of pictures (thank you, bloggers!!).
The next step was convincing Bryan. Thankfully, he's usually on board when it involves saving money, and after seeing the steps online, we decided to try it, and we LOVE our results!
First, Bryan did the preparation steps--cut a piece of plywood to fit the wall space in our room (ours couldn't be too high because we like to rearrange the furnitre, and we have eaves in our bedroom) and sand the edges just a bit. We happened to have the wood on hand, so the cost = $0 for that part.
Second, he measured out equal distance between where we would space the buttons for the tufts and drilled holes there. Then, he played FIFA on his PS2 for most of the evening.
I took it from here. I went to JoAnn's and bought a very large piece of foam, 2" thick. You MUST use your 40 or 50% off coupon here--the foam would've been about $120 without it! I had batting at home, so the cost was free, and I found the perfect fabric in the clearance section for $6 a yard--such a deal!
I also picked up plastic buttons to cover in fabric and some spray glue.
The first step was to put down an old sheet and use the spray to glue the foam to the plywood.
Of course, this headboard was really just a very expensive toy.
Anyway, after that, I laid the headboard foam-side down on the batting (which was on top of the fabric) and stapled the batting all the way around. Note: small pieces of foam may be used as swords.
Finally. All finished. Bryan added legs attached all the way up, and we attached it to the frame on our bed with bolts rather than the wall; again, because we (aka I) like to rearrange.
We are SO happy with the final product.
If I were to do this again (and I honestly would), here are the things I would and wouldn't do again.
I'm waiting on Bryan to file the divorce papers:)
I think it's the room that I know nobody will just waltz in unless invited, so I don't worry as much.
And, I'm totally ok with that, but our bed was looking ridiculous. We are grown adults, and we needed an "adult" bed.
Since my two strongest characteristics seem to be cheap and stubborn, I decided that we should make it ourselves. So, I did what I always do when I want to take on something new--I read and read and read. Mostly blogs with lots of pictures (thank you, bloggers!!).
The next step was convincing Bryan. Thankfully, he's usually on board when it involves saving money, and after seeing the steps online, we decided to try it, and we LOVE our results!
First, Bryan did the preparation steps--cut a piece of plywood to fit the wall space in our room (ours couldn't be too high because we like to rearrange the furnitre, and we have eaves in our bedroom) and sand the edges just a bit. We happened to have the wood on hand, so the cost = $0 for that part.
Second, he measured out equal distance between where we would space the buttons for the tufts and drilled holes there. Then, he played FIFA on his PS2 for most of the evening.
I took it from here. I went to JoAnn's and bought a very large piece of foam, 2" thick. You MUST use your 40 or 50% off coupon here--the foam would've been about $120 without it! I had batting at home, so the cost was free, and I found the perfect fabric in the clearance section for $6 a yard--such a deal!
I also picked up plastic buttons to cover in fabric and some spray glue.
The first step was to put down an old sheet and use the spray to glue the foam to the plywood.
Of course, this headboard was really just a very expensive toy.
Anyway, after that, I laid the headboard foam-side down on the batting (which was on top of the fabric) and stapled the batting all the way around. Note: small pieces of foam may be used as swords.
Or, if you wish to make the project take twice as long just to help mommy, sit on it and watch Yo Gabba Gabba and refuse to move.
After moving all small children out of the way, I attached the fabric. Basically, I just pulled the fabric tight and stapled it, too, taking special care with the corners.
Then, I decided to take a break to take a pretend nap with Wardie and all of the friends he brought to his "pillow" aka leftover foam, which included 2 babies, a soccer ball, a toy camera, plastic farmer and steering wheel. In our world, even the smallest baby dolls sleep face down and inanimate objects also get tired.
After said distraction went to bed, I made the fabric buttons which was easy peasy and attached them to the headboard which was AWFUL. So awful that it made me question my sanity and wonder if it would look as nice just left as is. NOT fun.
Here's what I did.
I took a long needle with several thicknesses of thread and poked it through the back of the holes through the foam and fabric and attached the button. Awesome. Simple. Perfect.
Then, I had to pull the needle back through the same VERY tiny hole to pull the button tight and create the "tufted" look. Not awesome. Or simple. Or perfect.
But, after about an hour, I had them all pulled through and stapled, although I think I ruined my thumbs in the process.
Finally. All finished. Bryan added legs attached all the way up, and we attached it to the frame on our bed with bolts rather than the wall; again, because we (aka I) like to rearrange.
We are SO happy with the final product.
If I were to do this again (and I honestly would), here are the things I would and wouldn't do again.
- I would make sure to save up my coupons and wait for sales at JoAnn's. Crucial.
- I would do the tufts again. I love the look of them and the detail they add.
- I wouldn't use string to pull the buttons. I need something stronger, although I'm not sure what.
- I wouldn't make the stinkin' holes for the buttons so small and IMPOSSIBLE to find with the point of a needle. Bad choice.
- I wouldn't do the project with a 22-month-old running around (unless I had to, of course).
I'm waiting on Bryan to file the divorce papers:)
I think you can take a cotter pin and tie your string to it on the back so your hole can be bigger. Also the foam can be thinner to save money. You might want to try MFD board or plywood instead of OSB like you used. hope that helps
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