DIY Grasscloth Covered Headboard

There’s something about a wingback headboard that makes it extra cozy – those little wings on each side make you feel as if you’re extra safe snuggled up inside. Grasscloth wallpaper is also a favorite decorative accent, it’s a chic way to texture to a space or piece of furniture. I’ve had a long time design crush on textured furniture so I thought to combine the two and made this grasscloth covered wingback headboard for a guest bedroom.

Originally I contemplated four walls of grasscloth in this space but was deterred by the cost of multiple rolls and how long it would take (I’ve done it before by myself, it took a loooong time to hang it alone) and what happens if and when I sell this house? A future buyer might not be as crazy about a room covered in grasscloth wallpaper as I am.

Instead, I limited the use of grasscloth to a DIY headboard, inspired by a few accessories I’d seen around town like this storage box wrapped in grasscloth spied at HomeGoods and the mirror in my Mom’s upstairs loft, both have a gorgeous textured woven finish, divine!

 

 

The headboard frame is a simple design, to build it Matt combined ¾” plywood with four ¾” x 8” pine boards (two on each side) to create the frame that is 54” tall. The pine boards are screwed together in six spots with wood screws and then attached to the plywood with additional wood screws. The base is secured with L brackets for added stability. The inside measurement of the plywood is 54”, wide enough to fit the metal frame of the full size bed. The height of the plywood is 48”.

 

This same wood frame could be upholstered with batting and fabric if that’s your preference. Before wallpapering, I didn’t bother to sand or prime it, unlike traditional smooth wallpaper, grasscloth wallpaper is textured and thick and won’t show minor flaws underneath, but do make sure the headboard base is for the most part smooth.

The supplies you’ll need are grasscloth wallpaper (I ordered this roll online), wallpaper paste, a foam roller and tray to apply it. Also shown are nailhead trim tacks, more on that below.

Wrap the rough edges on the top and sides first, clipping the grasscloth wallpaper edges so that they form a tight fit. Use a liberal amount of paste on both the back of the wallpaper and the wood so that it adheres well.

 

The next step is wallpapering the back of the headboard, I ran the wallpaper horizontally so the fibers would be vertical and so the seam would sit below the pillow shams. Again use a lot of paste on the wood and the paper so that it sticks well. I found it easiest to wallpaper the back while it was flat on the ground instead of standing up.

For the wallpaper cuts in the corners and along the edges I used a sharp pair of scissors, but you can also use a box cutter too. I also used a wallpaper smoothing tool, this helps to get rid of any bubbles and ensure your paper lays flat against the wood surface.

The final step is wallpapering the sides, follow the pattern of the back and align your seams.

 

 

This faux bamboo chest and I go way back, I brought it to this house last year, here’s the story of this thrift store find painted peacock blue a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.

 

You can leave the grasscloth covered headboard plain or jazz up the edges with the addition of nailhead trim. I used these brass Decotacks and followed Sarah’s helpful technique, drilling the holes first with a skinny drill bit then tapping them in with a hammer, the head covered in fabric.

 

 

 

additional sources:

abstract print / duvet and shams / tropical leaf print pillows / lamp, navy accent pillow, and flamingo print: homegoods / faux bamboo chest: thrift store

The project wasn’t cheap, the cost of the grasscloth wallpaper, adhesive, tacks, and wood was approximately $150 but I’m pleased with the result, it’s unique and fun and adds just the right amount of texture to the space! 

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