Even if your needlework skills are limited, DIY headboards are still possible! Take Velinda's wingback-inspired design for example; she created this piece as part of a bunk bed makeover but it would work just as well in any master bedroom!
Step one is to measure out your desired arch size on a piece of plywood and draw in your design, before cutting boards to form it.
1. Wooden Headboard
DIY wooden headboards instantly elevate your bed and add depth and dimension to any room. This two-hour project can be finished quickly, and personalized to meet your personal preferences with colors, patterns, and washi tape - the blog Treasures and Travels uses washi tape in their geometric design, but you could experiment with stripes, finials or any other designs of your choosing. We advise practicing scrap paper before moving it onto the wall using a ruler and weighted string for straighter lines.
A classic wooden headboard can make an eye-catching and budget-friendly addition to any bedroom. To craft your own version, all that's required is some sturdy plywood and some pieces of sash cord or twine. Once knots have been secured securely on both ends of the cords, finish your masterpiece by adding crown molding along the top edge - it completes the look!
Cover the back of the headboard with fabric for an instant upgrade to any bed frame! This DIY project takes less than an hour and you can tailor the material according to your personal tastes. If sewing is not your forte, consider hiring the help of a local seamstress or purchasing pre-made slipcovers from local sewing shops.
Create your own one-of-a-kind headboard by recycling old dresser drawers or doors into something beautiful using low-tack tape to secure their mounting to the wall and pegboard organizers for storage purposes. Use tape measures, rulers and spirit levels to map out your design on plywood before beginning construction on it; use low-tack tape when mounting to avoid damaging wallpaper and avoid making a mess on walls! Or try this no-sew tutorial from Cre8tive Designs that gives a traditional tufted headboard a modern twist using vinyl flashing for modernization!
2. Upholstered Headboard
The best upholstered headboards provide plenty of style options. Their colors, textures and design features like channeling straps or tufting can vary widely; plus different materials like linen or velvet may also be utilized depending on your tastes and budget. When selecting an upholstered headboard it's important to consider aesthetic, lifestyle and budget considerations before making a selection; minimalists might prefer a modernized wingback such as Casper's Tilly Upholstered Headboard while those seeking luxury might select Queen Mcafee Upholstered Headboard made from velvet fabric by Casper.
DIY enthusiasts can easily craft an upholstered headboard for less than $100 by following The Merrythought's tutorial, building one from plywood and an oversized photo print for an eye-catching unique design.
Add nailhead trim to your upholstered headboard for an elegant finish, but keep in mind that this process takes more time as each button must be created and then pushed through from the back to the front of the upholstery. Keep a tape measure handy to make sure straight lines of trim are created while hitting nailheads at their proper angles to prevent misshapenness of nailheads.
Consider using a large feed sack as headboard fabric, giving your room an air of farmhouse or cottage charm. Even better? With enough fabric left over to cover a twin-size headboard, this project should be relatively inexpensive! Just staple batting over the front of plywood before stretching the feed sack over it while pulling taut as you go; adding buttons or button-tufting would complete this look nicely!
Use old bedsheets to craft an eye-catching headboard! The Merrythought's tutorial shows how you can transform an old sheet into a customized headboard with any pattern of your choosing, using the same method she employs for redoing nightstands. The result will be an elegant yet functional headboard to tie your bedroom's decor together beautifully.
3. Chalkboard Headboard
A headboard is the centerpiece of your bed, and an eye-catching one can elevate the style of any room. From neutral hues to bold ones, you can use simple tricks to make an affordable DIY headboard that complements any color scheme in your bedroom. Try painting murals, covering fabric-covered headboards, or adding wall hangings as unique touches to add personal flair.
Treasures and Travels has designed this stylish DIY project to combine two current trends into one stunning DIY piece: macrame decor with industrial accents to make an eye-catching piece that works in eclectic, cottage, or farmhouse settings. Plus, its easy creation makes the project an attractive weekend project; simply trace out a pattern with masking tape (we opted for diagonal stripes here), paint over it, and then peel away the tape for a unique piece that looks designer-made.
Mad in Crafts has designed this painted headboard as an easy, no-sew solution that only requires basic supplies and time to complete, and can come in any color you can imagine! This no-sew headboard requires minimal time and supplies to complete; no drilling necessary.
Frames from thrift stores or garage sales can easily be transformed into an eye-catching DIY headboard that appears much more costly than its cost. Brady at Style by Emily Henderson provides an easy no-sew tutorial, making this project achievable even for novice DIYers and producing stunning results.
DIY striped headboards with an ombre effect are easy to create using some paint samples and plywood. Laurel from Just a Girl used six shades of blue paint samples to achieve her look; you could use any colors you find appealing instead. Simply map out your striped design using masking tape before painting over it with your selected background color and let it dry before moving on with other tasks.
If you want to give your bedroom an elegant vibe without spending a fortune, repurposing bookshelves into unique headboards may be just what the doctor ordered. With HomeTalk's step-by-step tutorial and its chic finished product that looks just like high-end furniture purchases. Plus it makes a perfect alternative to tufted headboards if your walls don't lend themselves well for art hanging!
4. Wallpaper Headboard
If you want the look of trendy wallpaper without making a full commitment, why not make your own headboard from it? While this DIY project requires more hands-on effort than simply applying paint in one square, any experienced DIYer should be able to complete it quickly. Simply find a pattern that complements your room, and draw an outline with a ruler and pencil before cutting out its shape pasting it on wallpaper, and hanging it like any regular wall hanging would.
Patterns that work horizontally across your headboard are key and don't need to be limited solely to geometric prints - floral and polka dot designs work just as well for this type of woven headboard.
Mad in Crafts has put together this DIY woven headboard project for less than $100, perfect for beginners who don't require sewing skills or special machinery to put together.
An ordinary picture frame can become an eye-catching headboard in just a few steps. Start by collecting two frames at your local thrift shop and cutting quilt batting to size, adding extra inches on either side for an upholstered effect. Secure it to the frame back using duct tape before inserting it into the frame - the end result will add visual interest to any bedroom!
If you love trompe l'oeil, consider creating a headboard out of wallpaper that depicts a winter garden, an Italian Renaissance manuscript, or a travel journal filled with metaphysical dreams. Shabby Chic Wood or exposed Brick Wallpaper also makes an attractive focal point without demanding expensive renovations.
Painting your bed frame can be an effective way to quickly update the look of your bedroom. Choose either solid colors or dynamic patterns; painting stripes on your wall behind the headboard using stencils is also an eye-catching feature, before hanging up artwork or canvas prints to complete the look.