Reupholster Your Bed Frame in One Afternoon (No-Sew Option Too)!

Are you ready to give your bed a fresh look? When I first saw a beautiful pink velvet bed, I fell in love, but the price tag was a bit steep for me. Our bedroom is on the smaller side, and I wanted to lighten it up without breaking the bank. Instead of buying a new bed frame, I decided to reupholster the one we already had! It’s more affordable, and you can switch up the look whenever you want.

Supplies

• Wide bolt upholstery or multi-use fabric in your chosen color (I used about 5.5 yards for my bed)
• Wide bolt white fabric as an underlayment (optional but useful for transitioning from dark to light fabrics)
• Electric staple gun and 1/2” staples
• Fabric scissors and straight pins

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prep Your Materials

First, I separated the bed into four pieces: the headboard, two side rails, and the footer. Removing the hardware first makes everything easier later. Make sure to label each part to remember where it fits.

2. Covering with White Fabric (Optional)

If you’re transitioning from a dark-colored frame to a lighter fabric, cover your frame with a white layer first. Simply lay the fabric over the piece to ensure the old color doesn’t bleed through your new fabric.

3. The Sewing Option

For each piece, lay your fabric (right side facing in) and wrap it tightly around the frame. Pin and sew only the top corners, then turn it inside out for a snug fit. This creates clean edges at the corners.

4. The No-Sew Option

If sewing isn’t your thing, you can still create a beautiful finish by wrapping the fabric around your frame and stapling it in place as you would wrap a gift. Ensure enough fabric to wrap around and staple on the back, keeping it out of sight.

5. Stapling the Fabric

With your fabric smoothed and wrapped, use a staple gun to secure it in place. Start in the middle and work your way to the edges, staples every 5-6”. If you hit a tough spot, use a small hammer on the staple or tiny nails to hold it down.

6. Reattach Hardware and Legs

Once the fabric is fully secured, feel around for the pre-drilled hardware holes. Use an awl or pin to locate them, then drill in your screws. Reattaching the legs is the same process.

And voila! You’ve got a brand-new bed frame that looks stunning and cost a lot less than buying a new one. Don’t stress if it feels overwhelming at first; once you get into the groove, it’s actually pretty simple and rewarding.