Make a Wallpapered Headboard

Easy DIY magazine recently commissioned me to design a couple of quick and easy headboard project and one idea that immediately came to mind was to paint a headboard, the second was to apply wallpaper to the headboard.

 

 

 

Easy DIY magazine recently commissioned me to design a couple of quick and easy headboard projects for future issues. I put my thinking cap on for this and one idea that immediately came to mind was to paint a headboard, the second was to apply wallpaper to the headboard.

This quick and easy headboard is perfect for those renting a home. The freestanding design means that you can easily mount it behind the bed and take it with you when you move – without leaving any holes in the wall!

 

YOU WILL NEED:

16mm chipboard cut to size 920 x 1000mm
Alcolin spray adhesive
Fired Earth vinyl wallpaper
2 of pine or supawood cut to 80mm wide and desired height – see below

TOOLS

Drill/Driver and assorted bits
Craft knife
Tape measure and pencil
Ruler
Scissors

 

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

 

 

 

Cut your wallpaper into two strips that are at least 10cm longer than the width of the headboard. You will need two strips to cover the height of the headboard.

GOOD TO KNOW
Before spraying on the adhesive make sure the front of the board is completely dust free.

 

 

 

Spray the front of the headboard and the back of the wallpaper with Alcolin spray adhesive. I found it easier to hold up the wallpaper and spray. You may need to spray extra adhesive onto the headboard, as it is quickly absorbed; leave to dry until no longer sticky to touch.

GOOD TO KNOW
Only spray the top of the chipboard at this stage – not the sides.

 

 

 

Carefully place the first piece of wallpaper so that it extends at least two centimetres over the top edge and is aligned straight. Press down in the centre and work out towards the sides to remove any air bubbles.

 

 

 

Position the second piece of wallpaper so that it aligns perfectly with the bottom edge of the first piece and apply in the same way.

 

 

 

 

Now you can spray the edges with Alcolin spray adhesive. The reason we spray now and not earlier is to reduce the amount of sticky surfaces whilst applying onto the top. Leave this to dry until no longer tacky to touch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working from the top, press a finger along the edge and then gently press down the wallpaper onto the sides. Leave the top and bottom until last.

 

 

 

Before sticking down the top and bottom edges, use a pair of scissors to cut a flat so that these edges will lie flat. Spray the flaps with Alcolin spray adhesive; let dry and then press down.

 

 

 

Cut two pieces of pine or supawood to 80mm wide to the height required. The height of the legs will be determined by the height of the base and mattress. Countersink three holes as shown, and then screw the legs onto the back of the headboard.

How easy and affordable was that.

You can buy vinyl wallpaper at your local Builders Warehouse and they have a fairly wide selection to choose from.