Doing an upholstered wall space

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I am interested in doing something behind our guestroom bed that is very similar to the upholstered wall space behind the bed in the below photo. Our bed has the perfect wall space behind it for this (if not quite as high! Ours is about 5’x6’ feet), similarly recessed with shelving surround.

I originally was going to put grass cloth there, but then I saw this photo and I fell in love with the look. Can anyone share input of any kind on doing or constructing this type of thing? I have a great carpenter and upholsterer.

Also, could anyone take a guess as to what the fabric is?

Thank you.

Featured Answer

PRO

LS Design Studio

4 years ago

Hello-

There are many interesting design elements that are at play here! Let's chat about some and you can see if the effect of these is something that works for your guest bedroom space. The height of the custom headboard and the subtle grid pattern created by the button tufting combined with the very symmetrical and grid-like built-ins creates a strong sense of order and more formality in this space. It feels traditional and classic, but for some may feel too rigid. The curved, rounded arms and diagonal placement of the corner chair really softens the harsh lines and creates a good balance along with softness and calming blue in the drapery. They keep the room from feeling too stark.

This design also creates a sense of more vertical height with all of the floor to ceiling lines which can be great for rooms with lower ceilings! The neutral colors can make a smaller space feel larger and the textured fabric may be a merino or other wool blend? It is hard to tell without touching it, but it appears to have a soft hand and lots of texture which makes it very cozy and inviting. That is great for a welcoming guest bedroom. Also worth mentioning is that the fabric is used on the headboard and the bed frame to make sure it looks cohesive and connected. Adding it to the frame is essential for a finished, polished look.

One other key observation with this design is the acoustic qualities that this upholstered headboard wall provides. There is most certainly batting here that would muffle sound transference between this bedroom and whatever is on the other side of that wall. In a house where this wall divides the bedroom from the family room TV wall (or kids' playroom or any noisy area), you can imagine how much anything that can help lower noise and add a sense of privacy, especially for guests, is a plus! Also, based on the window view it looks like this could be a room in a multi-unit building and that always presents a need for acoustic management.

If these features appeal to you and work in your space, then go for it! It is an easy construction project and if you have a carpenter and upholstery contact then you shoud have the necessary trades to get this look. Don't forget to add that above bed and sconce lighting though!

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Comments (17)

Louise Smith
4 years ago
I had the wall behind my bed upholstered. It looks interesting, however I am thinking of taking it down and having the wall repaired and painted.

It may be ok for an occasional guest room, but not for sleeping every night. My sleeping pillows rub against the fabric as I sleep and move about. After several years, the wall fabric has noticeable marks where the pillows rub.

On a positive note, it makes the room seem more cozy and quiet with fabric on the wall.
sabigabatini thanked Louise Smith
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PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I think you have nice idea. Some more options
sabigabatini thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Headboards/22395/subcat.html?
sabigabatini
Original Author
4 years ago
@LS Design Studio thanks for your thoughts. I didn’t even notice the bed frame - although I dont see the fabric on the headboard. The cozy look is wha appeals to me and yet I find myself wondering if the result will look heavy, or not contemporary enough. I may still go with the grass cloth. Will ruminate on it I’m sure!

@Louise Smith In our case the bed and pillows would not touch/meet the upholstered wall space as there is a level surface at the bottom and the bed is below it.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
Plywood the right size foam anf fabric and some ability to sew straight lines . As for the look I would need to see your space , your bed and some clue as to the style for the space.I make padded headbords all the time for clients this really is just that IMO . I think the choice of fabric is the most important part BTW I really do not like shelving in a guest room for display of your stuff
sabigabatini thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
ocotillaks
4 years ago
As someone with allergies, this is a Nope.
sabigabatini thanked ocotillaks
ladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years ago
Would it accumulate dust? I like the look, not sure whether it would be hardto keep clean.
sabigabatini thanked ladybug A 9a Houston area
lisaam
4 years ago
I would think that using a performance type fabric would make this durable (although maybe not for allergy peeps). the combo of the upholstered bed as well as the wall looks great together. stacking the tufting gives a contemporary look.
sabigabatini thanked lisaam
decoenthusiaste
4 years ago
https://www.etsy.com/market/upholstered_wall_panels
sabigabatini thanked decoenthusiaste
K R
4 years ago
I’m doing a paneled wall for my guest room (not done yet) but I’m getting the panels from Vant Panels.

Looks like this, they have tons of fabrics and leathers. You can order a free sample.
sabigabatini thanked K R
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Yours isn't as large --then maybe it's only twice as large as a headboard, which is fabric also -- is there a real difference? maybe needs vacuum or such occasionally. I like the look.
sabigabatini thanked everdebz
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Would designer know if I read it right? magnetic leather 'tiles' by Pampa Tiles USA

Natura Collection · More Info
everdebz
4 years ago
diy Queen need 2 boxes / 30" x 11.5"
Each box comes with 4 panels for a total height of 46"

Upholstered Wall Panels By VANT Upholstered Headboards, Suede Neutral, 30'' · More Info
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
4 years ago
sabigabatini thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
sabigabatini
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Some more info re my project:

Here are some (iPhone unfortunately) photos of the room, in person it appears larger and airier than in the photos. Plus I included a few of the wallpaper samples I’d been considering before I came across the pic of the upholstered wall space which appear in my original post. (The wallpapers are Warner and two from Winfield Thybony.)

The home is direct waterfront.

This particular room faces West and gets bright afternoon sun.

The walls in the room are a relaxing BM Healing Aloe, with white trim. The built-in bookcase bed surround is solid oak painted in BM Simply White.

The carpet is brand new. It is performance fiber-look indoor-outdoor wall to wall, in “Sand.”

For the wall space in question behind the bed: whether wallpaper or upholstered fabric, color wise I’d like it to have synergy with the soft blue walls or the soft beige carpet. It was interesting to see there are numerous wallpaper samples that incorporate BOTH colors in one - but as I look at them I have wondered if that might appear muddy/dirty. (So I have been leaning toward either the silvery blues, or neutral beiges without yellow or green undertones.)

Ceilings are cathedral.

Large closet with teak built-ins.

Reading nook “carpeted” with same new fabric as the floor carpet.

I’m not concerned re guests & bookcase as most of what you see will be placed elsewhere and was quickly put back there after it was painted until I move them out. It will be more thought out and spare at that point

Thank you.

UPDATE- I have deleted all twelve photos in this post as I received no responses
decoenthusiaste
4 years ago