DIY Headboard Inspiration

We all know a good mattress is the most important thing when it comes to sleeping well, but did you know that having a cozy, clean, and well-designed room can also impact your sleep patterns? That’s right, decor does make a difference, especially when it comes to getting cozy — but that doesn’t mean you need to splurge. In fact, one of the easiest ways to elevate your sleep setup is by incorporating a headboard into the bedroom, and guess what? Making your own is super easy. That’s why we’ve created your go-to guide to DIY headboards: inexpensive, simple solutions for making your sleep centerpiece as cozy as can be.

For those of us on a budget, creating a dreamy sleep setup can feel like a major challenge — but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, most of our favorite DIY headboards don’t require much in the way of preparation. Just find your favorite accent piece, secure it to a wall, and voila! You have your headboard. Want to learn more? Read on!

Mirror Above the Bed

Using a mirror as a headboard is a great option for small apartments or bedrooms with limited natural lighting. Not only do mirrors add a chic, modern touch to any room, but they also work to open up small spaces by creating the illusion of extra square footage. When placed in opposition to windows or other light sources, mirrors can also help bounce light around a room, a win-win for creating a dreamy sleep setup. Not only that, but installing a mirror as a headboard is super easy. You can even use several small mirrors to create a constellation of reflective surfaces while adding a little character to your bedroom.

Wall Carpets

Hanging a carpet on a wall might sound counter-intuitive, but hear us out. Like tapestries, many carpets come with intricate designs in a plethora of colors that can add depth and character to your sleep setup. Not only that, but carpets can provide serious coverage, allowing you to install a grand-looking headboard, without the hassle of actually building one. Worried about dust? Handheld vacuums work great on any hanging fabrics, carpets, or tapestries. Eclectic is in!

Mood Lighting

Neon lights aren’t just for nightlife. Not only can colorful fluorescent bulbs add the perfect mood lighting to your already cozy bedroom, but they can also make a statement (literally) when customized with your favorite word or phrase. Of course, neon lights can get expensive, especially if you’re designing your own, but there are lots of different options to choose from. Old lights, like the kind you find at flea markets or garage sales, can easily be repurposed as accent pieces. And, if you’re not the thrifting type, you can always invest in less-expensive tube lighting to add a pop of dreamy color to any sleep setup, a la Dan Flavin.

Wall of Books

Most of us do our reading online now, so why not repurpose your old books as a headboard? You can flip them to your favorite pages, highlight key quotes, and show everyone just how smart you are. Jokes aside, book headboards really do bring a relaxed, library-like vibe to the bedroom. If you make your selections right, they can even add a cool, colorful effect, too. For mounting, we suggest first fastening your book collection to a big piece of plywood using nails or glue before installing it on your wall. This is a little more involved than our other DIY headboard recommendations, but rewarding nonetheless.

The Mini Mural

Have extra paint lying around from old projects? Why not DIY your own hand-painted headboard on the wall. Graffiti can be a cool option, too. Not an artist? Fear not. Your mini mural can be as easy as lining up tape in the shape of your favorite city-scape, or simply mapping out the desired shape and size of your headboard and painting between the lines, like a coloring book. Get creative! It’s your bedroom, so there’s really no limitations as to what you can do with it.

Pillow Palace

Already have a headboard but not in love with the way it looks? If you want to forego a headboard or you’re simply looking to add an accent color to your sleep setup, bed shams, also known as accent pillows, can be a great addition to the bedroom. When stacked up, decorative pillows make a great dupe for a headboard, especially those with extra embroidery and accents.

Whatever you choose, just remember, DIY projects are meant to be fun, not stressful. So take it slow and make sure you plan everything out before jumping into a project. As we like to say, the simpler — the better!

Looking for a new sleep setup? Our timeless Wood Frame Bed comes with your choice of a minimalistic oak or walnut headboard, so you don’t have to DIY.