a small move make your own super affordable custom headboard. a small space d.i.y.

FINDING A PIECE OF PLYWOOD AT HOME DEPOT

THE NICE GUY AT HOME DEPOT HELPED ME CUT THE WOOD TO SIZE & TO FIT IN MY CAR

LOVE THE IKEA FABRIC TO WRAP THE BOARD

AND IT WAS ONLY $4/YARD

DRAWING THE SHAPE & USED A STRING TO MAKE THE ROUND SECTIONS PERFECT

LOVED THE HOUSE OF FOAM

THE SWEET OWNER OF 40+ YEARS HELPED ME CUT THE FOAM TO SHAPE

WHEN I GOT HOME, I MADE THE HEADBOARD THE FULL SIZE

IT WAS A GREAT TIP TO CUT IT SMALLER INITIALLY TO FIT IT IN MY CAR

THE BRACKETS WERE SIMPLE TO PLACE

GETTING READY TO WRAP THE BOARD

AND FINALLY IT'S UP IN MY BEDROOM

IT'S COMFY TO LEAN AGAINST

ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT PERFECTLY WRAPPED OR EVEN {I COULD USE A "WRAPPING ROUND SECTIONS" TUTORIAL}, I REALLY LIKE MY HEADBOARD

AND MY ENTIRE COMFY BEDROOM

GOOD NIGHT :)

so I've been living in my new small space for a few weeks and am finally feeling settled in, getting into my routine, enjoying visits from friends, getting ready for dinner parties and all that good stuff. Although I am loving my dining room-turned-office and my main room, I really love my bedroom. It's really comfy - steadily cool temp, cozy vibe and, finally, my new custom-made headboard.

I've always loved Grace of Design*Sponge's headboard. I had downloaded the template and kept it in my inspiration notebook for years until I had time and space. When I recently moved, I knew that my new apartment was the perfect opportunity to make my own version. I wanted to share my d.i.y. with all you lovely small space dwellers because it really is easy to do, surprisingly affordable, I could fit all the project pieces in my small car by myself and it's a great piece for your bedroom that feels and looks good.

I did this project when I was in Northern California spending time with my brother, sister-in-law and nephews and my bro helped me with some of this. I headed over to Home Depot to buy a $12 8 x 4 ft piece of plywood. The Home Depot guy cut the wood lengthwise to size for me for free. I also knew that the piece wouldn't fit in my car so he cut it in half lengthwise again to transport it. I bought 2 x $0.89 brackets that I would use to put the full board back together later.

Once home, I began to draw the form of the headboard on the wood. My brother suggested using a string tied to the marker to get a perfect round shape. (great tip - it worked for the round top of the headboard and the other dips in the board) Once the shape was drawn out, my brother helped me cut the wood with a jigsaw. I sanded down the edges and hopped in my car with the newly cut headboard shape (still in 2 pieces so it would fit in my car) and headed out to get some foam.

I had done some research and - wow - is foam pricey! I was able to find a local shop in Palo Alto called House of Foam (love the name!) that had a large enough piece for under $100. The owner was so helpful and very nice. He cut the shape of the headboard for me for free - also with a jigsaw. I loaded everything back into my car and headed back to my brothers. I set up a table outside, loaded up the staple gun (boys have tools) and got ready for the next steps.

I was ready to put the full board back together and used the brackets to fasten the two pieces back together. I then glued down the foam and wrapped the entire board/foam with $6 batting that I had picked up at Joann Fabrics. I ironed my Ikea fabric that I picked up for $12 ($4/yard) and placed the board, foam/batting side down, onto the fabric. I was now ready to staple gun the fabric. Ok, this is the deal, it is actually not easy to round those edges. I did a bit of tucking and stapling but as I got to the last section, the fabric wouldn't really pull. Let's say that this headboard could have been wrapped a bit (ok a lot) better. But it worked out and I liked the end result. I fastened a hook on the back and, when I got down to Los Angeles, I was finally able to hang my brand new, king-sized headboard up and love it! I definitely recommend this project for all design lovers. With a little help, research and a day, you can have your very own headboard for your small space - love it! And a little love for design inspiration, tear out and save anything and everything that inspires you so when you are ready, you can create your very own style.

Check out more of my moving adventures in my little series - a small move.

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