For our tutorial, we made over an ottoman. But nailhead trim looks chic on upholstered chairs, headboards, tables, and couches. Our how-to provides tips for picking the right piece of furniture, evenly spacing nails, attaching trim, and more.
What You Need
Piece of furnitureNailhead trimRubber MalletRulerSpacerPen
Step 1: Pick Your Furniture
Before you begin, make sure you’re adding trim to the right piece of furniture. Nearly anything upholstered will work as long as it has a solid frame to provide a good grip for the nails and make the furniture easier to work with. More DIY Upholstery Updates
Step 2: Attach First Nail
Start attaching nailhead trim in a corner. Tap the first nail into the fabric and wood. Use a rubber mallet to work the nail into the frame without damaging its head.
Step 3: Measure and Mark
From this starting point, measure and mark a new point so that nailheads are evenly spaced. We used a 1-inch spacer and a pen to mark where the new nail needs to go. Bonus: How to Clean Upholstery
Step 4: Attach Nail Heads
Just as you did in Step 2, attach a nail head with a rubber mallet in the marked spot. Continue measuring, marking, and inserting nailheads until you’ve worked around the entire piece. Editor’s Tip: To make embellishing measurements easier, buy a nailhead spacer tool. You can find one at most crafts or sewing supply stores.
