Make Your Bed -- 6 Easy Headboard Projects
One of the things that surprises me the most when I go into homes is how many beds I see that don’t have a headboard. If you’re just starting out with your first apartment or want to furnish a little-used guest room, you might not want or be able to make a major investment in furniture. But, the nice thing is that you don’t have to when it comes to creating a bed and headboard that look terrific. The six ideas below will help you create a great look that’s easy, fast and inexpensive.
1. Paint. Paint is always the decorator’s first choice for inexpensively creating a new look, and it can be used for creating a headboard, too. Outline in pencil on a wall exactly where you want your faux headboard to go. Be sure to use a straightedge to create straight lines. Tape off the lines with painter’s tape and fill in the headboard area with the color of your choice. In just a few minute and for less than ten dollars, you can have both a headboard and a colorful focal point for your bedroom.
2. Curtains. Curtains are another quick and reasonably priced way to create a headboard. Hang curtain panels or fabric panels at the top of the ceiling behind the bed. Or create a canopy with the curtains. With a few hooks, some cheap fabric panels, and a step ladder, you’ll have a soft, luxurious headboard in a snap.
3. Dividers, etc. Room dividers can make instant headboards. Select a style that fits your furnishings and place behind the bed. Be sure to anchor the divider securely to the wall so you don’t have it falling on you while you sleep. A plant trellis is another headboard option. Put two or three wooden ones together and paint. For a canopy-style headboard, look for an inexpensive plant arbor. Many garden centers and discount home stores carry these and they can be quickly converted into a headboard.
4. Doors. Look for interesting antique doors at your local salvage center. Doors make beautiful headboards for beds. Hinge two together and stand them behind a bed. Or, turn them on their side to create a headboard. Screw the door directly to the wall or mount it to some scrap lumber legs and bolt into the bed frame. Or, take two dirt-cheap hollow core doors and hinge together. Next paint, wallpaper or upholster an inexpensive, yet custom, headboard.
5. Shutter. Your local home center can be the source of many easy and quick decorating fixes. Pick up three or four shutters, depending on the size of the bed, and hinge them together. Be sure to anchor these to the wall so that you have a firm headboard to lean against. Paint them to match your bed linens and you have a smart, yet casual looking headboard. Be sure to have enough shutters so that the bed isn’t larger than the shutters. It’s better if you have more headboard than bed.
6. Artwork. There are so many ways to work with artwork to create a headboard. Paint up some blank artist’s canvases and mount to the wall. Try placing four square prints into a diamond and hang over the bed. Or, look for metal wall hangings. These can be found in home décor stores and in some garden centers. Fabric wall hangings and tapestries can also be employed as makeshift headboards.
Head out this weekend and look for some supplies to create your own headboard. You’ll enjoy making your own bed and now there’s no reason not to have one.
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Real Home E-Zine, the Internet newsletter with real home advice, tips, and ideas for cooking, gardening, cleaning, and decorating for real families. Subscribers receive this FREE report, The 10 Habits that Help You Keep Your House Cleaner. For more information log on to www.kathryn-weber.com.
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