Create your own DIY Pottery Barn–style headboard with a removable frame and upholstery that’s simple to update whenever you want a fresh look.
I asked my husband to build our bed years ago — long before I had a blog or even knew what a blog was. We sketched, planned, and refined the idea until we settled on an upholstered headboard framed like a picture frame. At the time I thought it was entirely original, only to discover a very similar style in the Pottery Barn catalog later on. That confirmed I was on the right track, and it also inspired me to share how a custom, budget-friendly version can look and work just as well.
Why I love our DIY Pottery Barn style headboard
Designed for easy customization and future updates
One of the priorities during the planning phase was making the upholstered headboard easy to remove. That way, if I ever want to reupholster the panel, change the fabric, or repaint the frame, I can do that without dismantling the whole bed. The removable design makes this a practical choice for anyone who likes to refresh their bedroom decor on a budget.
The bed frame and headboard connection
The headboard is secured to two tall side posts on the main bed frame. Because the headboard attaches to these posts with a few screws, it can be detached quickly for painting, reupholstering, or transporting. My husband built the bed before I documented the process, so I don’t have step-by-step photos of the build, but the basic idea is straightforward and well suited to anyone comfortable with simple woodworking and basic tools.
The upholstery panel is removable
The upholstered insert is mounted inside the wooden frame and is held in place with a few screws. Once those are removed, the padded panel pops out easily. The removable panel lets you take the upholstery to a work table to re-cover it or clean it more conveniently than if it were permanently fixed to the frame.
Paint or stain the frame to match your bedroom
Because the upholstered panel is removable, the wooden frame can be painted or stained independently. I chose to leave the upholstery as-is and took the wooden frame to my kitchen painting area, applying two coats of Benjamin Moore White Down — the same shade as the walls — for a cohesive, light look. Painting the frame refreshed the whole bed and made it feel new without replacing the upholstery.
For inspiration and variations on the same headboard, I’ve documented other refreshes and room updates that show how different finishes and fabrics change the overall feel. This approach—an upholstered insert inside a removable picture frame-style headboard—lets you update your bedroom affordably and with minimal effort while keeping a clean, tailored look similar to high-end retail designs.
Budget-friendly makeover ideas
If you enjoy updating a room without spending a lot, a removable framed headboard is one of the most flexible and cost-effective projects. It protects the upholstery from frequent handling, makes re-covering easier, and allows you to experiment with color and texture as your style evolves.
