12 Headboard Ideas That Will Brighten your Bedroom

Your headboard is the centerpiece of your bedroom décor, so changing things up where your headboard is concerned can completely transform your bedroom’s look. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to create a headboard that perfectly expresses your style, either!

Read on to see our 12 favorite headboard ideas.

Get the Perfect Headboard for the Perfect Look

Choosing just the right headboard is your chance to really make your bedroom décor shine, and turn your bedroom into a sanctuary that reflects your style and personality. And while headboards can be cost-prohibitive, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create the look you desire.

These 12 DIY headboard ideas allow you to create the perfect headboard to suit your style!

1. Upcycled Door Headboard

Like the rustic look? Upcycle a door into a headboard with this step-by-step tutorial from This Old House.

You can paint or finish the door to match your bedroom, or even make use of emptied-out windowpanes like you see in the photo above.

This Old House lists this project as costing about $375, but you can spend much less if you re-use an old interior door you’re replacing, or find one you like at the local flea market or other low-cost venue such as your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, where you can buy low-cost building materials and give back to the community at the same time.

2. Stylish Rug Headboard

This sleek, uncomplicated headboard idea lets you fashion your favorite rug into an eye-catching focal point for your bedroom. If you picked up a beautiful rug during your travels, or just found one that matches your color scheme and taste perfectly, this headboard allows you to raise the design to eye level instead of just leaving it on the floor.

It’s also wonderful extra insulation if your bed is against an exterior wall—all those hanging tapestries on castle walls weren’t there just for decoration.

3. Colorful Fabric Headboard

This headboard idea is as simple as it gets: Just drape some fabric over your existing headboard and attach it with ribbons and clip-on drapery rings. The best thing about this style is that the simplicity of its execution means that you can change it out with the seasons, or just when the mood strikes you.

4. Repurposed Window Frame Headboard

Here’s another chance to upcycle while bringing one-of-a-kind style to your bedroom décor: transform old window frames into a gorgeous headboard. Fabric panels add a splash of color to this rustic style.

5. Rustic Wood Headboard

Go back to basics with this simple wood headboard. You can achieve this pared-down look by simply attaching two upright boards to your bed frame or propping them on the floor, and affixing two lengths of wood to them.

Paint or stain the wood to match your bedroom décor.

6. Creative Paints or Stencils

Add pizzazz to your wood headboard with painted-on designs. Choose paint that complements the colors in your bedroom and use stencils, sponges, or trace-ons to add designs that suit your style, such as flowers or geometric shapes.

7. Repurposed Furniture for Creative Storage

Here’s another excellent chance to use upcycling to make a one-of-a-kind headboard: Use repurposed dresser drawers to create a stylish headboard with lots of storage and a unique, stacked look.

This is an inexpensive way to gain a fabulous new piece of furniture while keeping an old one from winding up in a landfill someplace. It’s a win-win!

8. Curtain Rod “Headboard”

One of the quickest, easiest ways to create a “headboard” is to simply hang a curtain rod on the wall above the head of your bed and hang a curtain on it that suits your decorating taste, such as this curtain with inspirational messages.

One of the best things about this headboard idea is that you can easily switch it out seasonally, if you change bedspreads, or if you’re just ready for a new look.

9. Cover your Old Headboard for a New Look

If you have a basic rectangular headboard that’s a little beaten up or just plain boring, make it look brand-new with this inexpensive headboard idea. With just basic sewing skills, you can fit your headboard with fabric that will complement your room, and simply tie it on with ribbons.

This is another look that you can easily change for different seasonal looks.

10. Fabulous Fiberboard Headboard

This is another inexpensive headboard idea that will brighten up your bedroom in a flash. Cut an attractive design out of medium-density fiberboard, paint the edges of the fiberboard, and cover the front and back with eye-catching wallpaper. It’s a designer look for a budget price.

11. Modern Metallic Embellishments

A coat of metallic paint or a sheet-metal covering can transform a plain wood headboard from rustic to modern in one step. Other metallic touches such as a row of nailhead trim will take your headboard from plain to classy quickly, easily, and at little cost.

12. Easy Fabric Headboard

This easy-to-make headboard is also inexpensive, but you would never guess it when you see how gorgeous it is. Choose a fabric that complements your bedroom, stretch it over foam board or cardboard, and insert it into inexpensive poster frames that you’ve spray-painted to match your room. Voilà!

Photos courtesy of Karen Nicholas, DIY Network, and Apartment Therapy.

Stop by our website to learn more about our easy solutions to everyday problems, so you can spend less time cleaning and more time decorating!