Headboard Projects Ideas Summer 2011

Hanky Panky

Bring the head of your bed into bloom with a sweet bouquet of vintage hankies. Mounted on square artist's canvases, they became colorful works of art that pack a powerful punch when grouped en masse. Apricot paint on the wall subtly frames the ensemble .

Screen Star

Create a headboard with diva attitude by using a shapely metal screen. A solid-color block painted on the wall behind this one and embellished with metallic swirls gives the headboard larger-than-life personality. The effect helps draw the eye upward with space-enhancing results .

Stuck on You

Add a touch of whimsy to any smooth-surface wooden headboard by adhering simple wallpaper decals. For an unexpected windblown effect, we carried the colorful leaf-motif decals from this headboard right onto the wall. To apply similar delicate stickers, slowly peel away the backing while smoothing the decal onto the surface. Once the design placement is permanent, burnish the decals using the edge of a credit card .

Rustic Influence

Two single window panels are the perfect alternative to an ordinary headboard. To get this look, find windows that measure approximately the width of your mattress. Remove the glass and install fiberboard or thin plywood over the back for safety. Cut fabric to fit each section and secure it in place with spray adhesive .

Fabulous Fence

Add country charm to your bedroom with a fence headboard. Make this cute headboard from a salvaged chain-link gate. Dress the fence with a sheet of fun fabric or a quilt, and lean against the wall .

Smart Stencil

Love the look of wrought-iron headboards, but not the price? Get the look without the cost by painting one on your wall. Find a stencil at a local crafts store or make your own. Cut the stencil from acetate with a crafts knife, affix the stencil to the wall using a spray adhesive or low-tack tape, and apply paint inside the stencil. Use acrylic paint or specially formulated stenciling cream .

Naturally Modern

Make this ultramodern headboard in an hour. Buy a piece of plywood from your local home supply store. Sand it, stain it, seal it, and then set it behind your bed. The clean lines will help you sleep in style .

Letter Perfect

Create an alphabet headboard from letters found at crafts stores or flea markets. Choose a variety of letters, sizes, and fonts for an interesting display. Arrange letters graphically or spell out words .

Door Do-Over

A trio of painted closet doors dresses up a plain bed. To start measure your bed to determine the number of doors you will need. (We used three doors for a full-size bed.) Next, use painter's tape to mark off stripes. Paint all the stripes of one color. After the paint has dried, remove the tape. Repeat the process for each color. Once all the stripes are painted and dry, attach the doors with hinges or brackets on the back, lean against the wall, and brace with the bed frame .

Painted Flowers

Upgrade a plain wooden headboard with paint. First sand all surfaces and coat with a water-base sealer. Using a household trim brush, base-coat the entire headboard with white satin paint. Next, apply a stripe and dot border. For the flower, download the pattern below, transfer onto the headboard, and paint .