An often overlooked design element, the headboard connects the frame to the rest of the bedding. While you can buy a beautiful headboard to complement your space, it's actually easy enough to DIY. From beautifully designed stencils to repurposed vintage doors, you can create a headboard that instantly breathes new life into your bedroom.
quilt headboard
In this cozy quilted situation, a makeshift curtain acts as a headboard. Some of the most distinctive and beautiful bedding can be found at tag sales and flea markets. Paint the curtain rods and brackets to match your bedroom walls and let dry. Attach the brackets to the top of the bed, position them at the desired height, and place the rods in place. Hang the quilt over the rod, aligning the bottom edges so it hangs evenly.
Putting up folding partitions
We love folding partitions that beautifully divide rooms. Another transformative usage is: Slip into the back of a basic bed frame to create a luxurious, personalized headboard. Recreate something you already own with your favorite prints. Now all you have to do is fit your custom pieces into place and make your dreams come true.
hang fabric drapes
Install an anchor twin bed with matching fabric curtains in place of a traditional headboard. To create a tapestry, hang fabric curtains (ready-made or DIY) in your favorite print behind your bed from a basic curtain rod.
To size a presidential suite, skim the curtain panels from the floor and hang them 2 inches wide on each side of the bed. Ours is 66 inches long, but a standard 63 inch or 84 inch one will also work. Install the rods accordingly.
Use spirograph inspired decals
Give your bedroom a brand new look with our spirograph inspired accents. This fancy “headboard” is actually a removable wall sticker that simply slides into place. White has swirly patterns like embroidery or lace and looks great on bedding.
make a leather headboard
The butter-sealed, luxurious cowhide tiles installed in this bedroom can cover the tray, desktop, and even the walk-in closet floor. First apply it to the substrate (such as plywood) and then apply it to the surface you want to cover.
I adhered these tiles to a 4-by-8-foot sheet of birch plywood using contact cement, and hung the plywood with two French cleat brackets. Line it up 18 inches from the floor or 18 inches from the bottom of the mattress and frame it with whitewashed quarter-round molding.
Add plant accents
If you have a slide projector in your basement, here are some ways to use it. Place the headboard against the wall and point the projector directly at the wall. Place a container of plant cuttings between the headboard and the projector to create a shadow.
Experiment with the distance between the headboard, cutting, and projector until you get the shadow placement you like. Then work in sections, tracing the outline of the shadow and coloring it with chalk pastels. Spray 4-5 coats of clear acrylic sealant on your work surface and let dry before displaying in your bedroom.
Installing the molding
An artificial headboard, which is easy and inexpensive to assemble, visually anchors the bed. Tip: Molding for window and door casings is available at home centers and hardware stores.
The length of each strip depends on the width and size of your bed. Here we used three 5-inch wide strips to create a 48-by-70-inch frame for a queen-sized bed (the vertical strips should reach the baseboard). Cut the strips to size using a miter box and saw. Secure with trim nails every 6 inches and drill holes.
Finally, paint the strip the same shade as the wall, but with a different finish for a subtle pop. Play with height. Try a shorter version for a modern look or a taller version for a traditional feel.
Create a woven headboard with cotton straps
This boho-style woven headboard is perfect for a room that features earth-toned bedding and plants. Simply use a plain wood headboard frame and fill the frame with durable cotton straps and a basic yet unique tabby weave.
Refresh your upholstered headboard
You can easily recreate this modern design by using a headboard that is already padded. To do this, first peel off the existing fabric, then attach the newly purchased fabric to the headboard with a staple gun. Smooth the fabric with an iron if necessary before placing it on the back of the bed.
headboard wallpaper
Don't like the bulky look of your headboard? Choose this one-dimensional but impactful design instead. Print the headboard template and trace it onto your wallpaper. Cut the wallpaper to frame the bed, about 4 inches wider than the mattress to accommodate the extra width the bedding will add.
Create complex designs using stencils
The intricate design of this stencil will make you wonder if you've custom-ordered this beautiful piece. Make a paper copy of the stencil and place it in the pattern. Tape the copies to the surface until you have the desired layout. Stencil the first part of the pattern in paint. One at a time he removes and replaces the paper copies with the patterns on them, stenciling them.
Use washi tape
Add a whimsical accent to your child's or teenager's dorm room with this faux headboard made from washi tape. It's a great way to add some color to your walls without installing an actual headboard.
Once the bed is placed on the wall, find the center of the bed with a tape measure and lightly mark its location on the wall with a pencil. Measure 17 1/2 inches to the left and right from that point and make small marks (as shown by the two large black dots on the Figure 1 template). These two marks are where the bases of the two outer bed posts will be located.
Mark and tape the remaining dimensions of the headboard according to the diagrams (Figures 1, 2, and 3). (Tip: For an easy way to cut washi tape, place the tape on a cookie sheet, measure, and cut.) Feel free to get creative and add finials or stripes to create your own style. Let's make it.
use old door
Check yard sales and flea markets for old doors, and if you find a door with a different design, modify the steps below. A strip of crown molding along the top edge provides a neat finishing touch and a convenient location for a small alarm clock.
First, trim the bottom or top of the door so that the rails (the ladder-like rungs that separate the door panels) are the same width. Most older doors have a thicker bottom rail than the rest of the door. The standard height door is high enough for any size bed. Trim as necessary. Sand, prime, and paint the door.
To install the headboard, cut a 1-by-4-inch board to the width of the headboard, then cut it lengthwise at a 45-degree angle into two equal strips. Screw one strip securely to the back of the door and attach the second strip to the wall with interlocking angles to hang the headboard. Screw a 1-inch-thick strip to the back to keep the bottom of the headboard the same distance from the wall. Finish the top of the headboard by nailing the mitered crown molding.