diy jute-wrapped headboard


In this tiny attic bedroom, a storebought headboard would never have fit up the stairs, so something custom was in order. I was inspired by this...

Overlapping Woven Headboard modern headboards

And thought, how hard could it be? Well, it was a breeze, in a sense. It took nothing but time and patience. The patience of a saint. Oh, and hands of steel. See, it involves hot glue. Lots of hot glue. The results were so worth it, but the burns sting and the tedium could make you delirious. Here's how I did it.

I started with lengths of 1x2 cut to the size I wanted and screwed them together to make a frame.


If you're handy, or have a handy helper, gluing and stapling some corner blocks are a very good idea too, for added stability.


Gather your hot glue gun, sisal or jute rope (mine was actually manila fiber, which is a bit darker; any natural fiber rope will do) and start gluing at the top corner.


I glued the back and side and wrapped the rope around the front of the frame. I could have gone all the way around to create a truly wrapped frame but realized this would waste half my materials since you'd only ever see the front. I decided to cut and glue the other side and back and conserve my rope.


Keep gluing the rows, pulling as tight as possible, since the rope will stretch and you don't want it to sag. Mine drooped a bit, but it's not too visible, and I don't mind that too much in a handmade piece. And that's the project! Keep gluing and gluing til your hands burn and you're out of your mind with boredom. Then hang the frames and glory in your dedication! Here's a last look.

12 comments

Ashley said...

Casey, this looks FANTASTIC! Did you need to use heavy duty hot glue?

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

I love it and it makes me think of a lot of other possibilities for jute.

casey at loft and cottage said...

Thanks, Ashley! Standard hot glue did the job very well!

Giulia said...

wow, that is dedication and a great result. Would this work if you had a piece of plywood framed and then added adhesive all over to avoid sagging? That could also give some added support when leaning against the head board?

casey at loft and cottage said...

Yup, Giulia, in fact I wish I had done it that way! Although the finished piece would have been quite heavy to wall-mount.

My Many Moments said...

YOU ARE FANTASTIC!

My Many Moments said...

P.S. Pinning...!!

Splenderosa said...

So cute and current. Maybe if you go behind the headboard and just glue the little droopy strands a little?
Great DIY job !!

Kate said...

VERY cool DIY project -- love it! It's beachy, modern and yet rustic all at the same time. Great job!

Ispirato Design said...

Awesome and stylish solution. Bet you're glad you stuck with it!

Cathy said...

Thank you... you said it was easy, but I still needed a tut. What a great idea.

Shannon @ Project Shannon said...

OMG - That must have taken you forever. Love how it turned out.