How To Reupholster A HeadBoard & Create A Tufted Effect With ...

My mother-in-law recently asked me to cover an old headboard in her guest bedroom and add in tufted buttons (that trick which creates the plush diamond pattern effect). I'd never upholstered a headboard before, but spurned on by how well my pink velvet bedroom bench came out, I watched a few YouTube videos made by an American upholstery company, made notes, then went about sourcing the items required to do the job.

To upholster a headboard you need the following:

• Upholstery fabric big enough to cover the front of the headboard and be wrapped around the back (around 10 cm from the headboard edge.)

• A staple gun and staples

• Self-cover buttons. I brought mine from Hobbycraft.

• Scissors

• Tape measure and ruler

• pencil

• Really strong thread (not cotton thread).

• Large needle

• A drill

First off I laid my fabric face down on the floor, placed the headboard upside down on top, then made sure that I had enough fabric to pull round the edges to the back of the headboard.

Pulling fabric over onto the headboard so that it's taught, I used the staple gun to staple it in place:

Once the fabric was stapled in position, I checked for any loose areas of fabric and pulled and stapled them down so the headboard looked tidy. Double check there are no loose or lumpy areas, then cut away any excess fabric:

Turning the headboard face-forward, I used a tape measure and a ruler to mark where I would like the buttons to be positioned to create the diamond tufted effect. I measured the headboard length-ways from the top of the headboard where I wanted the buttons to start, then divided the area in half. I then marked where the 2 buttons would need to sit and worked down the headboard. The key here is to get your measurements right. Each button should be the exact distance apart, both side to side and up and down from each other. The best way to imagine this is as if to place a grid over the headboard:

I then carefully used a drill to drill a hole through the headboard where each button should be. You have to take great care here to apply pressure right away so your fabric does not get caught in the drill and tear.

Take a snap button, remove the top and then cut a circle of your headboard fabric a few millimetres bigger than your button head. Fold and tuck the fabric around the button head, then snap on the base. Push any loose pieces of fabric into the snap button using the tip of scissors. You can find detailed instructions on doing this here.

Thread your needle, then push your needle through the drill hole you have created on the headboard. Put your finger on the button and slightly push it down, pull your thread tight with your other hand, then staple the thread in place at least 3 or 4 times with the staple gun. I zig-zagged the thread as I stapled it to secure it better. Repeat this for all your buttons!

Ta-da! One reupholstered headboard with tufted buttons.

Upholstering this headboard was actually quite easy. Next I'm thinking of trying a chair. Have you re-upholstered with success? If so let me know in the comments section below....

Jun 6, 2025 How I Transformed My Tiny Bathroom In Just One Weekend With This Earthy Paint Colour Jun 6, 2025 Jun 6, 2025 Feb 26, 2025 Before & After: Painting The Back Of My DIY IKEA Built-In Bookcase Feb 26, 2025 Feb 26, 2025 Sep 24, 2024 Red and Pink Bedroom Makeover: Creating a Warm and Cosy Bedroom Interior Sep 24, 2024 Sep 24, 2024 Sep 13, 2024 Stunning Small Bathroom Remodel: Before & After Transformation! Sep 13, 2024 Sep 13, 2024 May 3, 2024 Painting My Home Office a Dark Colour: 5 Tips I Followed To Stop the Room Feeling Small May 3, 2024 May 3, 2024 Mar 31, 2024 Blue Hallway Makeover: How I Chose the Perfect Blue Paint Colour Mar 31, 2024 Mar 31, 2024 Nov 29, 2023 Cool Kids Bedroom: How I Updated My Boy's Bedroom With Wallpaper and IKEA Hacks Nov 29, 2023 Nov 29, 2023 Jul 20, 2023 Kitchen Diner Reveal! Why I Am Happy That I Gained The Confidence To Paint The Furniture Jul 20, 2023 Jul 20, 2023 May 4, 2023 How I Created A Sophisticated Living Room Using Green Botanical Wallpaper May 4, 2023 May 4, 2023 Mar 17, 2023 How I Created A Cosy Sitting Room By Colour Drenching In The Same Warm Neutral Mar 17, 2023 Mar 17, 2023 First Name Last Name Email Address Sign Up

Your details will NEVER be shared

Thank you! Please check your inbox for the confirmation link.

• Newer
• Older