Tips on planning and printing
To make a headboard for a double- or queen-size bed, you will need a piece of plywood that’s about 24 to 30 inches high x 49 to 60 inches long.

You will need a piece of printed canvas that’s 8 inches longer on each dimension ([height plus 8 inches] x [length plus 8 inches]) than your plywood.

Choose a photograph for printing. A digital image of water, sky or a landscape, or a collage of images, would work well. Or you could choose a favourite childhood photo and have a photography store, such as Blacks, scan it into digital format.

Take your image to a photography lab, such as Blacks or Tricera Imaging, and have them print your image onto canvas (remember that 4 inches around the entire edge will be wrapped around the plywood, so ensure focal point and desired images will be printed within that border).

Supplies
• 1-inch plywood or particleboard (must be good one side, for front, and level), cut to desired headboard size
• Photo-printed canvas
• 1/2-in foam board
• About 2 standard rolls of sturdy double-sided carpet tape
• Low-loft polyester quilt batting
• Flush-mount hangers along with required tools and hardware for mounting
• Latex gloves
• Staple gun
• Utility knife and straight edge
• Black or dark brown acrylic paint and 1-in paintbrush (both optional)

Instructions
1. On plywood back, install hangers at least 4 inches in from top and side edges.

2. With utility knife and straight edge: Trim foam board to fit plywood, piecing if necessary, cutting enough to cover plywood front with 3 layers. Trim batting same size as plywood. Set aside.

3. Apply tape all over plywood front, right up to all edges. Cover with first layer of foam board and press to adhere. Repeat to cover plywood with 3 layers of foam board.

4. Apply several strips of tape to top layer of foam board. With edges even, press batting on foam board. Set covered plywood aside.

5. Clean work surface to remove any grease or debris. Wearing gloves, lay printed canvas, flat and right side down, on work surface. On top, lay covered plywood, batting side down; carefully fold back canvas edges against plywood edges to check that image is positioned properly and reposition if necessary, aligning fabric grain line with edge of plywood.

6. When satisfied, fold canvas over midpoint of bottom edge to back of plywood and staple about 6 inches along centre, then, pulling canvas edge taut (not tight) repeat at opposite edge. Checking periodically to ensure that canvas isn’t shifting, work out from staples to each corner on one edge, then the other. Repeat entire process to staple remaining 2 edges, folding and stapling excess fabric neatly to mitre at each corner.

7. If desired, carefully paint outside edges to create instant “frame” and let dry.

8. Centre headboard on wall at head of bed (“float” it over bed, or position so bottom edge is about 2 inches below top of mattress); hang using required tools and hardware.

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Find a photo of this project, plus two other stylish headboards you can make at home, in the May 2008 issue of Canadian Living Magazine.

Visit Eric's blog at vagabondchic.blogspot.com.