Up until last week, Bikeman and I didn’t have a headboard on our bed. It’s a long story… I’ll share it below. I had been searching the web for DIY headboard ideas when my daughter moved. Their headboard wouldn’t fit through the stairwell in their new apartment so we’re “baby-sitting” it for a while. I’ll share photos soon. But since I found all these great ideas I thought I’d share them with you. Leave a comment and let me know which is your favorite.
And if you decide you don’t want to MAKE a headboard, I found these on Amazon for under $100!
13 Creative DIY Headboard Ideas
Reclaimed Wood Headboard – Danielle calls this a “cheap and cheerful” headboard! These starfish are a perfect summer accessory that you could change out through the seasons. Maybe use leaves for fall, Christmas lights, snowflakes, hearts, or a boxwood wreath that you could leave up all year long.
DIY Shutter Headboard – I love finding old shutters and this is one of my favorite repurposed shutter projects! I once found a set of black shutters that I used as wall decor for almost 10 years before selling at a flea market. These would also look great with seasonal decor — starfish, lights, wreath, etc.
DIY Headboard with Nailhead Trim – Marie shares the secret to getting nailheads so straight! I’ve never tried this method but now I’m dying to use it on a home decor project.
How to Make a DIY Wooden Headboard – I really think this is the DIY headboard that we’ll end up with. I love the look of barnwood. This headboard is substantial but so simple.
DIY Upholstered Wingback Headboard – This headboard looks expensive but Kristi saved $100s by making it herself. A great look if you want something more classic and elegant. It really dresses up the shiplap wall and other simple farmhouse pieces.
DIY Headboard from Hollow Core Door – Gina is the QUEEN of farmhouse decor on a budget! See how she made a king size headboard for about $40.00!
DIY Headboard Transformation with Paint – Paint is always the cheapest and easiest makeover idea. This tutorial will show you how to make a rough old headboard look amazing. I’m thinking about painting our current headboard. Guess what color??? Turquoise of course!
Antique Door Headboard DIY – These two antique doors made an AMAZING king size headboard!
DIY Upholstered Headboard Tutorial – These talented ladies make upholstery look so easy. I’m thinking I need to try this with our guest room bed.
DIY Upholstered Leather Headboard – I would never have thought of upholstering with leather but this tutorial will show you how. This is a very masculine look but you could always throw a few floral pillows up against it for contrast.
Unique DIY Upholstered Headboard – For those of you who are looking for a more artistic feel in the bedroom, try handlettering a quote onto your headboard. There are many stencils and transfers that you could try, also, if you don’t feel comfortable with your own handwriting.
DIY Upholstered Headboard (from a Curtain) – If you have an old headboard that is still sturdy but you want to update it, try this DIY project! Can you believe she made this with an old curtain?
DIY Headboard Sconces – This tutorial shows how to add sconces to your headboard. What a great idea! Now I just have to find the right barnwood to make this with. I love the simple, neutral colors with a pop of turquoise!
That’s the end of my DIY headboard examples to show you. Which one do you like best? Or maybe you’ve made your own headboard that is an even BETTER idea. Please share your ideas in the comments. I’d love to hear them.
Our Headboard Story
And now for the rest of the story!
The ONLY headboard we have ever owned was from the antique bedroom suit that my grandmother gave me when I went into the first grade. She gave me a bed, two bed side tables, a dresser, a vanity, and an antique icebox. I got my own room at the time and my parents made a big deal about me having a “big girl room”. They even let me pick the paint color. I chose avocado green with a stain over it. Yes… we painted ALL that antique furniture green. It went great with my 70’s orange floral curtains. I’d love to find a photo of those to share with you!
I used all this furniture through high school, college, and after we were married. The only problem was it was a double bed. As we got older and had kids that wanted to crawl in bed with us the bed seemed to get smaller and smaller.
Finally, we gave the set to my nephew and bought a new queen size bed for us. We couldn’t decide on a headboard so we never got one. That might have been over ten years ago now!
Headboard Update
HEADBOARD UPDATE: Since I first wrote this article in 2017, we sold our California townhouse and most of the furniture stayed with the house. Including the headboard, since daughter and son-in-law already had something else that fit in their smaller space. Currently (2019) we’re living at my dad’s house on the bed in his guest room. So we will be on the lookout for a new DIY headboard soon!
More DIY Projects for Your Bedroom
If you liked these DIY bedroom projects, check out these articles, too:
- 5 Ways to Decorate a Rustic Master Bedroom
- Where to Buy the Sheets to Fit Your Budget
- How to Clean a Bedroom
- 10 Easy Ways to Decorate Your Bedroom in the Summer
- How to Make a Headboard
Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear about your headboard. Did you build it yourself? Or find a good bargain? Leave a comment and let me know. Originally published February 10, 2017.
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Karen says
February 10, 2017 at 5:44 amMine would be the shutters because I love them and how they look, or, possibly the reclaimed wood one minus the stars. Wondering what you chose?
ducttapeanddenim says
February 10, 2017 at 6:02 pmI love the reclaimed wood, too!
Tilesbay says
March 1, 2018 at 2:18 pmMind-blowing headboards!! Love that Diy Wooden Headboard It is awesome.
Katty Balle says
November 28, 2019 at 11:59 pmHeadboard ideas! I live for them. Thanks for compiling these. They would be so incredibly useful. Plus, making one yourself fuels creativity and can lessen costs for decor.
Expertans says
March 11, 2020 at 4:06 amYou can also give your headboard more character by turning it into a sort of advertising panel. You can find stencils or freehand the design. Use complementary colors and make sure it matches the rest of the room. The headboard could be personalized in many different ways.