How to Make an Upholstered Backsplash

As a part of the ongoing Laundry Project I have bought and DIY-ed a few accessories for the room.  One of them being a no-sew upholstered back splash.  Well, I guess really it's a fabric covered corkboard, but I'm calling it an upholstered back splash.  A headboard for the laundry, if you please.

Here is our finished product:

And here's how I got there.  For supplies, you will need:

3/4 - 1 yard fabric of your choice

corkboard (we got 2 that were also magnetic!)

Fabric Glue

Lots of Pins

Scissors

Measuring Tape (this time I used one)

Step One:

Measure out your corkboards, just look at the package for dimensions or eye-ball measurements by placing the corkboard over top of the fabric

Step Two:

Add the depth of the corkboard to your measurements on all sides + about a 1/4 inch.  Pin along your measure line.  This will now be the cut line.  Lay corkboard on top of fabric to ensure you measured right.

Step Three:

Cut the fabric along the cut line made in Step Two

Step Four:

Lay the fabric on top of the corkboard, ensuring your repeating pattern is straight and even.  Use the pins on the top 1/2 of the corkboard to hold the fabric in place.

Step Five:

Flip up the bottom half of the fabric and apply fabric glue.  Not too much.

Step Six:

Gently but firmly smooth the fabric down onto the glue.  Start from center and work your way out to the sides ensuring all ripples and lines are smoothed.  You do not want to push so firmly that the glue comes through the fabric.  If you feel the fabric getting slightly damp, this is the feeling you are looking for.  Use pins to hold the glued fabric in place.

Step Seven:

Flip the corkboard around, remove the pins from the non-glued side and repeat the Step Six.

Step Eight:

Carefully run a bead of glue along the edges of the corkboard.  Then run another bead along the very edge of the back of the corkboard to catch the extra 1/4 inch you measured.

Step Nine:

Let dry.  Admire your handiwork.

*Tip* If you are making more than 1, ensure before Step Five, that the fabric on both corkboards line up straight and even.

What-dya think?  I had a lot of fun doing this.  And when I wasn't taking pictures at each step in the process it only took about 10 minutes.

And it's a pretty cheap!  Here is the cost breakdown:

Corkboards: $5.70 each (30% off at Michael's)

Fabric: $6.99 (50% off at fabric.com)

Glue: $2.79 (Michael's)

Pins: Owned

Scissors: Owned

Tape Measure: Owned

So only $21.18 for a customized upholstered back splash!  You could use them in your office, your kids rooms, even bathrooms or kitchens if you wanted to!