We talked headboards last week, and I can't help but shake the fact that I desperately need to spruce my own up a bit. As usual, I'm taking a cue from our fellow friends at ShelterPop. This lovely round-up has me craving a Saturday afternoon with a bit of fabric, plywood and my handy dandy staple gun.

This handy ReadyMade tutorial is one of my favorites, as I'm an avid read-in-bed kinda gal. There's nothing comfortable about stacking a few pillows against a hard, upright headboard, so this design is perfect for me. And with just a few tools, the process couldn't be easier!

Don't see one you like? Blogger pioneer Grace Bonney from Design*Sponge gave us a sneak peek of her own bedroom, including a DIY video of this gorgeous homemade headboard that's fit for a queen. Or, you could check out Curbly's round-up of 10 Fantastically DIY-able headboards.

Happy dreaming!

It seems that purchasing headboards are a thing of the past with countless tutorials, exemplars and crafty ideas to tackle the project yourself. Our friends at ShelterPop couldn't agree more with Eugenia's latest take on fabric headboards -- cheap and stylish!

Paris-based interior designer Frédéric Méchiche wooed design lovers with this glorious take on an otherwise boring bedroom. Complete with a graphic, bold swag of fabric as a stand-in for a headboard, the look is equal parts dramatic and luxurious. Even better? We'd dare say the cost of re-creating the aesthetic would be well under $100. Try a more gauzy fabric for a romantic look, or dress it up with linen for a nature-inspired touch.

Forget pricey headboards; get creative and get to work. To inspire and give you a push in the right direction, here are a few of my favorite headboard techniques and tutorials... right here at DIY Life:
-DIY Headboards to Inspire Your Dreams
-Fabric Covered Headboards
-Don't Get Bored With That Headboard; Get Creative

Anyone who has ever tried to outfit their bedroom knows that bedroom furniture is not cheap. So what do you do if you are short on cash, yet long for a stylish room? You do-it-yourself, of course.

There are a few things to consider before you begin. Think about your decorating style. Are you looking for something as a short term solution or are you looking to invest the time and energy into making a headboard that will last your for the long haul. How much time and energy do you really want to spend making a headboard? Do you want to make your headboard from items that you already own, then look around your house, garage, or attic at things that you have laying around that could be repurposed.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Think beyond the metal scroll screen. There are many types of screens out there that can suit your own personal taste. You can even use vintage shutters hinged together.

Is a noisy mattress disturbing your ZZZ's? While those squeaks and creaks are mighty annoying, don't assume there's nothing you can do about them. There are, in fact, quite a few quick and easy tricks worth trying.

1. If your mattress is not a pillow-top, turn it over. Any improvement? If not, then:

2. Rotate the mattress (so that the foot end becomes the head end and vice versa). A change in weight distribution on the springs can make all the difference. Regular rotation is recommended anyway by mattress manufacturers, just to ensure even wear.

Fabric: so very versatile, necessary, and perfect for any crafting need. For me, the hardest part of purchasing fabric is choosing which fabric I want to take home. I usually end up going overboard with my purchases, as I can never decide on just one color.

My girls were to share a room, so they each would have had their own twin bed separated by a night table. Since they carry my genes, I know that they'd get bored very easily with their headboards. The perfect solution? Cover the headboards with coordinating fabric that they picked out themselves.

Fabric, scissors, and a staple gun are all you need to have on hand to create your one-of-a-kind headboard. Just staple the fabric to the headboard, working outwards from the center. Don't pull too tight, as you don't want to stretch and tear the fabric. When you are done, stand back and admire your job-well-done.

Looking for more headboard covering ideas? Check out my previous post on covering a wood headboard with fabric, and Brian's post on more creative headboard ideas.

[via: Craft]

Shabby chic is an interesting home decorating style. It's almost as if you are trying to give your home a haphazard look, slightly worn out, a little bit mis-matched, traditional with a twist. Originally seen in European country homes that were expensive to keep up, shabby chic was borne out of the necessity to keep home decor costs to a minimum.

Certain design elements are associated with shabby chic: fringe and tassels, different types and patterns of fabric used in the same room, distressed surfaces, and flea market finds.

After the break, we'll reveal a few tips and tricks to help you get this look on your own.

I don't know about you, but taking on the task of spring cleaning seems monumental. I mean really, in the long run, do I care if my ceiling is dusted or if my draperies are laundered?

If I were to buckle down and actually clean out my kitchen cabinets or dust my vents, I'd use these checklists as a resource. Because they are broken down by room, they actually make spring cleaning seem do-able.

For instance, the bedroom checklist gives a step-by-step guide on what you should clean in your bedroom. Starting with a basic cleaning, you then move on to dusting the ceiling, cleaning the ceiling fans, washing draperies and bedding, dusting and cleaning out the closets.

There are handy tips at every step, like to make sure to clean under the bed, and how to pass the time joyfully.

Will I spring clean? I'm not sure I will do a full-blown cleaning, but I may use some of the tips and ideas from this checklist and do a task or two when I have the inclination.

Somehow, having a checklist and being able to cross off what you have finished always seems to make a task less daunting.

Teenagers assert their independence in a variety of ways. I truly believe that the ones that aren't putting them in danger should be encouraged. This holds true for room decor. Give them some authority over their bedroom and the way it's decorated, no matter how hideous! A teenager won't feel relaxed in a space that was decorated by Mom for the ballet-loving daughter she knew 8 years ago. They will feel more comfortable and more empowered if you let them take the reigns and make the room more personal.

This doesn't mean that you should hand her a can of black spray paint and let her mood guide the decor. There is a middle ground that you can both live with. Teenage taste changes weekly, so it can be hard to predict what she'll want, but this article will give you a place to start. It lets us in on what teenagers really want in their rooms: storage and sanctuary are high priorities.

Keep the romance going past Valentine's day by creating a sensual setting in the bedroom. There is nothing quite as dreamy as a beautifully adorned bed, draped with a sheer canopy. Buying one at a bedroom boutique can be costly. That's OK, because you're not into that anyway, you're DIY-savvy and you'll make you're own. It really is a simple project that you can easily take on, even if you're a novice when it comes to sewing.

Now that you're feeling motivated, here's how to sew a bed canopy. According to sewing.org, you'll need the following:

• 18" wooden embroidery hoop
• 10-1/4 yards 45" - to 60" -wide sheer fabric
• 3-1/2 yards white seam binding
• White sewing thread
• 2 yards x 3/4" white self-adhesive Velcro
• 2-1/2 yards white cord
• 1" wooden bead (?" hole)
• 3/8" metal pot hook
• 1/2" double-side tape
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Sewing sheers
• Tape measure
• Fabric marker
• Safety pin
• Iron

Read the instructions before getting started. They'll give you material and assembly instructions specific to the type of atmosphere you're looking to create. They even offer detailed diagrams to help you along the way. This project is a great way to bring luxury into the bedroom.

A show of hands from those that have dull and original-style headboards from somewhere in the 1990s. Thought so. It's not something many of us think about on a regular basis, but sprucing up that headboard in your master bedroom can bring that whole room to life. Kids get neat headboards -- why not adults?

Just like the television in the family room, the headboard in a bedroom can focus attention on itself. That being the case, some time spent dropping creative-ness on that focal piece might make you glad to saunter into the sack at night.

Whether thrifty or extravagant, it's time to get our your imagination. What theme do you want for a new headboard? Colors? Style? Materials? Fabric? get all these down and then sketch what you think you'd like. You don't need an art degree -- it's best just to get your head on paper. Want some ideas to get your juices flowing? Here are just a few:

• Garden theme
• Wedding canopy
• Hockey goal
• Bi-fold doors or three-piece standing screens
• Old doors
• Shutters
• Cork wallboards

How much time do you spend cleaning your house? I tend to neglect it for a few days then spend an entire afternoon scrubbing. The problem with my every few day strategy is that I never feel like the house is never really clean and I'm constantly playing catch-up. If you're in the same boat, check out this Keep It Clean Plan. They suggest that you put in just 19 min. each day and your house will keep it's clean fresh look. Here's the breakdown.

• Kitchen - 4.5 min.
• Bathroom - 2min.
• Bedroom - 6.5 min
• Family room, living room, foyer - 6 min.

You'll have to mix it up to fit with the size of your house and difficulty of each room, but it actually seems like pretty reasonable time allotments. This plan goes as far as to break down each room into smaller tasks. Prompting you on what to do in each room is a big help. Stressing the importance of a clean empty sink, they remind you that there are some key things you can do to create a clean impression quickly.

This article assumes that you are dealing with clutter as it happens. There is no allotment for putting away toys or dealing with the craft mess you've had out all week. Do you think your house can be cleaned in 19 minutes a day?