Upcycling pro Sacha Olivier shows you how to give a tired headboard a wake-up call

WHAT YOU’LL NEED
  • A screwdriver
  • Wood filler
  • Sandpaper
  • Black and white paint
  • Paintbrushes or sponge rollers
  • A pencil
  • A ruler
  • Painter’s masking tape

 REMOVING DATED DETAILS

  1. Most old-fashioned headboards like this one were made of laminated wood or some sort of chipboard and included details like scrolls and built-in side tables. If necessary, remove any unwanted detailing and the side tables using a screwdriver.
  2. Fill any holes with a suitable wood filler (I used Plastic Wood in White). Allow it to dry.
  3. Sand the headboard until smooth using 220-grit water paper or a medium-grit cabinet paper. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust.

PAINTING YOUR HEADBOARD

  1.  Apply a coat of white paint to your headboard. Allow it to dry.
  2. Lightly sand the headboard and wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
  3. Apply a second coat of white paint and allow it to dry.
  4. Using a pencil and ruler, lightly mark out your stripes on the headboard. I find it’s best to start from the middle and work outwards to ensure that both sides will be identical.
  5. Using painter’s masking tape, mask over any of the stripes you’d like to remain white. Lightly rub the tape down to ensure the paint won’t bleed underneath and you’ll get a neat, crisp line.
  6. Fill in the exposed areas with black paint. Allow to dry.
  7. Apply a second coat of black paint. Allow to dry.
  8. Gently peel off the masking tape.