Headboards Substitute

Plywood, batting, and a great material make a dramatic headboard substitute.

Your bedroom is your retreat and you want it to reflect your personality and provide adequate space. Sometimes, a traditional headboard isn't going to work, because of lack of space or because your bed wasn't built to support one. Substituting a heavy headboard for something more dramatic or colorful is a space-saving way to add drama to your room as well as displaying your decorating flair.

Create a Soft Wall Hanging

Rather than a headboard that attaches to the bed frame, have a piece of plywood cut to your bed width in a rectangular shape. Use several layers of batting on top of the plywood, then wrap a beautiful material around it, using a staple gun to affix the material to the back of the board. Mount your headboard on the wall behind the bed. If you don't want to mount something large, opt for several smaller squares covered with batting and material. If you choose light enough materials, and complementary fabrics, you can create an art piece out of simple plywood and fabric squares.

Make a Window

Create a window where none is in place of a headboard. Mount curtain brackets and choose draperies that soften the wall behind your bed. You can arrange several drapes with bold colors intermingled, or one solid block of color. To create a "window," use two draperies that can be tied back to reveal a beautiful painting or even a flea market find window frame to hang underneath the drapes. Hanging material is a creative option for the person who likes to decorate seasonally or just change things often, because they are easy to interchange.

Use Screens or Canvas

Rather than a large, heavy object over the bed, use a beautiful piece of artwork on canvas to substitute. You can place one large painting over the bed, or group several in multiple sizes for a more eclectic look. Chinese silk screens, such as those that fold into three equal sizes are also an artistic and light substitute. Virtually any large piece of art can be used to create a dramatic statement behind the bed. Re-purpose the beautiful doors on an old pie safe or antique cabinet that's falling apart to keep the memories around and create new art. Just ensure the art is mounted properly so it can't fall on you while you sleep.

Paint a Headboard

If you have an artistic flair or enjoy arts and crafts, you might want to paint a whimsical "headboard" directly on the wall. Using black paint on a light wall, you can imitate swirling scrollwork you'd see on an iron headboard, making it as whimsical as you'd like. If you prefer a more country feel, paint the wall a deep blue or green and then paint a picket fence where your headboard should be, wrapping flowers or vines around the painted posts. Whether the bedroom belongs to a child or adult, a painted headboard substitute is a fun and safe option.

References

• The Studioist: 100 Affordable Headboard Alternatives