How To Make A Washi Tape Headboard For Under $5

I don’t want to brag but I think this is a pretty fantastic Pinterest Win. Before I moved to my new apartment, I started searching on Pinterest for fun DIY projects. A proper headboard was something that I did not have and currently do not have the luxury of buying, but you can make one out of Washi Tape, for less than five dollars. I worried about following the rules of Things You Should Never Have In Your Apartment After College, but decided I could make it work. If the design is intricate and well executed, it will look good.

Step One: Choose Your Design

I was struck by this particular image that I found on Pinterest. Initially, I thought that I should draw my own interpretation of this style headboard in Adobe Illustrator but I decided to just use the original image.

Step Two: Purchase Your Supplies

I ordered Washi Tape from Amazon, I already had a pair a scissors, and my roommate had a projector. If you don’t have a projector available to you and you don’t want to freehand, try the Artograph EZ Tracer Projector found at Michael’s for $29.99. Don’t forget to check online for coupons before buying.

Step Three: Set Up

I made sure that the projected image lined up with my bed. I sat the projector on two books to get the angle just right. Blowing up such a small image file made the projection very blurry. This definitely affected my work and I would suggest you find a large high quality image file.

Step Four: Develop Your Work Flow

Sometimes I would cut the tape before I put it on the wall. Sometimes I would cut the tape while it was half on the wall. SOMETIMES I would consider measuring it but mostly… I just eyeballed it. When you start, you’ll figure out which system works best for you.

Step Four: Remember to Take Breaks

Remember to take breaks because this project is supposed to be fun! It can get frustrating trying to make everything perfect. It became tedious cutting up teeny tiny pieces of tape and attempting to make them line up just right. Overall, it took me two days to finish this project.

Step Five: Go Outside the Lines

When I got towards the end of the project, I stopped tracing as closely. As a child, I never colored outside the lines. However, sometimes its more fun to add your own spin on things. Make it unique!