Thinking Outside the Box: Headboards

A headboard in a bedroom serves both functional and decorative purposes. Some people love the comfort of an upholstered headboard, while others prefer the look of metal or wood. Or, you can be like me, and go completely headboard-less! (See a peak of my master bedroom here and you'll see why.) There are so many retail options available out there to choose from and the possibilities are pretty much endless when it comes to custom headboard designs! Here are some examples of ways you can create a headboard and a focal point in a bedroom, that are a little less than ordinary;

A decorative piece of art, wood carving or folding screen makes a fantastic focal point and draws your eye to the bed, as seen above and below.

 If you love the comfort of an upholstered headboard, but want something a little out of the norm, you can always upholster the entire wall for a dramatic effect!

 A fabric panel attached to a rod and hung over a bed creates the illusion of a headboard. This is something that can be done on the cheap, but creates a huge impact in a bedroom, and allows you to add pattern or texture to the space as well.

I love the idea of creating a headboard simply by painting one on the wall! This is another cost effective way to get a lot of bang for your buck.

 Or, you can take it one step further and use decorative moldings to create a fantastic focal point in the bedroom, like you see in this picture below.

 Wall decals are also a great, budget friendly, renter friendly way to create the illusion of a headboard! 

Using wallpaper on an accent wall (where the bed happens to be placed) is a great way to create a focal point without using an actual headboard.

In the photo below, wallpaper is combined with decorative moldings to create the headboard. I think this idea is genius and I would love to try this sometime!

I love this idea below that integrates a horizontally paneled half wall which provides a focal point point as well as function by providing a ledge to place books and interesting accessories.

You can combine the aspect of a traditional upholstered headboard in a less traditional application. Take for example this bedroom below. Instead of two separate upholstered headboards, there is one large one that extends to both ends of the beds. This looks great in a kids bedroom, or guest bedroom where you have twin beds.

 I recently saw this image above (via Anthropologie.) Although a chalkboard above a bed isn't very practical (unless you want to wash your bedding every time you erase the chalk) I still think it's a great example of thinking outside the box!

Tin ceiling panels as a headboard?! Yes please! As you can see, you can pretty much create a decorative headboard out of just about anything!

What about you? What does your headboard look like? Store purchased? Or was it a DIY project you tackled? Or do you not have one at all? I'd love to hear from you!