How to Reupholster a Bed in Just a Few Hours for a New Look in Your Bedroom (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

How to Upholster a Bed

1. Dismantle Your Bed Frame

   First things first, you'll need to remove your headboard from the frame. Most manufacturers use metal hardware brackets to attach the headboard to the frame, so this usually just requires removing a few screws. Be sure to put the screws and hardware pieces in a safe place.

   If your headboard has feet attached, you'll also need to remove those.

   

2. Lay Headboard Over Fabric

   Spread out your fabric on the floor design side facing down. Lay your headboard on top, front-facing side down.

   

3. Cut Your Fabric

   Assess whether you need to trim any excess fabric. Start wrapping your fabric over the sides of the headboard, and notice whether the extra fabric extends beyond the middle of the headboard. Too much extra fabric will prevent the back of the headboard from resting flush with the wall. However, don't trim too much fabric. Be sure to leave at least seven extra inches of fabric on all four sides.

   Tip

   If your bed frame is also upholstered, you'll want to cut the excess fabric into one large piece rather than several smaller pieces. Set this piece aside so you can reupholster the frame.

   

4. Staple Into Place

   Start wrapping the fabric around each corner of the headboard. Fold the fabric over each of the corners the same way you would a present. Staple one corner at a time, and hold the fabric taught. Once you staple all four corners, add additional staples about four inches apart along the edges. Make sure to pull the fabric and smooth out any wrinkles between each staple.
   

   

   Tip

   For a tidier look, you can sew a stitch in each of the corners instead of stapling.

5. Cover the Rest of the Frame

   Many fabric headboards also include fabric along the bed frame. You can repeat steps 1 through 4 four each component of the frame, laying the fabric pattern side down and the frame piece on top, then pulling it taught and stapling it into place. However, just three inches of extra fabric on all four sides of each piece should do the trick.

   

6. Rebuild the Bed

   Once you've successfully covered each piece of your bed with fabric, it's time to reassemble it all. Gather your hardware pieces and begin by rebuilding the bed frame. Once you have the frame back together, you can reattach the headboard to the frame and put the feet back on it. You may have to make small incisions into the fabric if you had to cover any of the screw holes.

   

Tips for Reupholstering Your Bed

There are a few steps you can take to make reupholstering your headboard an easier process. For starters, if you're going from a dark color to a lighter color, consider adding a base layer of white fabric first.

Additionally, consider measuring and marking the screw holes so you can make correct incisions in the fabric where necessary.

If you want your reupholstered bed to withstand the test of time, the fabric type and edge treatment matter. Choosing a high-quality fabric like thick linen will ensure that it will hold up well as you lean on it night after night. Consider applying fabric glue or tape along the edges to prevent fraying.