15 ideas for headboards

DIY headboards and design ideas

1. Have enough fabric to generously cover the front of your headboard and the back side about 5 inches in. Wrap the fabric over the top edge of headboard and secure with a staple in the center, about three inches in from the edge.

2. On the opposite edge, pull fabric taut and staple to secure. Repeat with remaining two sides, then staple all around the edges, pulling cloth tight. Stop 3 inches from the corners.

3. Fold the fabric at one corner into a neat finish by taking the excess underneath and smoothing the top down. Secure with three or four staples, keeping the folds flat and even. Repeat for each corner.

Shelves and cubbies headboard

Take a leaf from the Murphy bed book: Frame your bed with custom cubbies, forming in the process a headboard in reverse. This mix of open and closed storage lets you display what you want while stashing the rest. Painting the headboard zone in a neutral color keeps the whole thing from being overwhelming.

Half-wall headboard

This “bedroom” is separated from the rest of the house only by a half-wall that also acts as a headboard. A rectangular recess on the wall’s bed side is a handy place for books and a carafe. This design is particularly good for loft dwellers and those who don’t need much privacy.

Storage-savvy headboard

This bed's backrest slides up to reveal storage. On the headboard, you push in on a hinged panel to access a similar space.

Artful headboard

Headboards don’t need to be heavy or complicated. This one is made of several different fabrics in similar color combinations, pieced together to form a striking composition. Like a large piece of art hanging over the bed, it acts as the room’s primary focal point.

Customized headboard

Using clip art we found online, we came up with the graphic for this custom headboard, then printed it on maple plywood. Side tables by Serena & Lily.

Headboard with storage

Made of Australian lacewood, this custom headboard includes a niche for storing treasures.

Glam headboard

Although interior designer Sheri Sheridan originally wanted a pricey tufted headboard, she instead bought four-packs of miniature Sorli mirror tiles from Ikea ($4.99) to create a glamorous high-end look.

Mantle headboard

This mantle headboard was made with foam architectural trim from Fypon. It’s an affordable and lightweight alternative to wood.

Postcard headboard

A collection of postcards mimics a headboard in this modern/country master bedroom.

Twin headboard

An upholstered headboard unites two twin beds, as a sophisticated version of bunk beds.

An upholstered headboard unites two twin beds, as a sophisticated version of bunk beds.

Salvaged door headboard

Originally a pocket door, this headboard got a dreamy update with bright white paint, decorative molding, and delicate sconces that cast a soft light.

Twin valence headboards

A small guest room gets a dramatic treatment with paisley headboards topped by homemade valences. The pattern in the plywood valences was created with drill bits in varying sizes.

A small guest room gets a dramatic treatment with paisley headboards topped by homemade valences. The pattern in the plywood valences was created with drill bits in varying sizes.

Light-reflecting headboard

A mirrored screen acts as a glamorous headboard.

A mirrored screen acts as a glamorous headboard.

Teen's headboard

For kids' changing tastes, inexpensive style is the way to go. The album headboard is made of plywood, plexiglass, and vintage album covers found at a recycled books store. 

The plexiglass face on the album headboard can easily be removed to change the album art or insert photos or fabric.

By Sunset