17 Creative Headboard Alternatives For Your Bedroom
In this article, I’m going to show you what to use instead of a headboard.
A headboard is a standard piece of furniture installed as a frame behind your bed but if you don’t have one just yet, hold off from purchasing one until you look at these awesome headboard alternatives that may be an even better option for your space.
I’m totally into trying new decor ideas that could result in a fresh, unique look. I tend to get bored pretty easily and changing things up can be a fun challenge for the space and my overall wellbeing.
There are plenty of other items that will still look good displayed above your bed.
The best things you can use instead of a headboard are wall hangings, artwork, a mirror, shelves, plants, a rug or tapestry, painted murals, or peel-and-stick tiles. Other options include using a screen divider as a headboard, window frames, a slab of wood, or maybe just positioning your bed near a window.
These ideas will prove to you that having a headboard isn’t all that when you have these items that will still give a visually appealing aesthetic to your bedroom decor and help you break away from the usual norm of doing things to create a brand new space that speaks volumes.
Here’s my detailed breakdown of each item you can use instead of a headboard.
You’ll find a variety of different options to choose from!
Table of Contents
What Can I Use Instead Of A Headboard? (17 Options)
1. Wall Hangings
If you want to avoid having a headboard, you could opt for using a wall hanging instead.
This could be a dream catcher or a macrame hanging that will make the area above your bed look great and having no headboard will no longer be that noticeable.
It will also make this area of the room more interesting and appealing.
This macrame wall hanging from Amazon immediately caught my eye. The colors, the pattern, and the rich layering will be an awesome item to have in place of a headboard.
2. Artworks
A great way to fill up the space is to hang an oversized painting or a few framed artworks in place of a headboard.
Having beautiful artwork on the wall above your bed will instantly draw attention, improving your room decor.
You may also create a gallery wall feature if you want to make it more detailed.
Here are the different types of artwork you can hang above the bed:
- Oversized Paintings
- Framed Photography
- Botanical Prints
- Typography or Quotes
- Metallic Art Pieces
- Monochromatic Art
- Personal Photographs
- Vintage or Retro Art
It doesn’t matter what kind of artwork in particular as this will largely depend on personal preferences but you can choose an appropriate size or display to create a captivating wall gallery.
This bedroom does the perfect job using a large abstract portrait painting to frame the bed:
The colors within the artwork also go beautifully with the rest of the space.
3. Mirror
Another simple item that you can use instead of a headboard is a mirror mounted above the bed.
The only thing you’ll need to pay attention to is whether the mirror is safely secured to the wall to prevent any damage or harm.
Nevertheless, a mirror will add a bold and interesting feature to your decor.
4. Wallpaper
Using wallpaper as a headboard is a great way to express your creative side. Using a beautiful patterned or textured wallpaper, you can create a striking feature wall as shown above.
This will be the highlight of your bedroom decor and will make this area stand out the most.
The great thing about this option is that you may even pair it with other wall accessories.
I love having a feminine chic bedroom and this idea instantly reminded me of a piece done by At Charlottes House.
She used a pretty patterned wallpaper cut into an arch shape for her daughter’s bedroom that instantly transformed the space.
It gives the space more personality and interest.
Since wallpapers are not permanent, if you ever want to change things up, you can easily switch to a different color or design.
5. Shelves
Mount a few shelves to the wall above your bed. Then place ornaments, plants, or a few books to add volume to the shelf and it will make the space above your bed appear more creative and interesting.
Another great tip you can use is to have a few plants on the shelf. Trailing vines will also create this beautiful, natural aesthetic for a cleaner, calmer space.
Try to use at least two long shelves placed one above the other that will be a useful and pretty feature to your decor.
6. Wall Decals
For a simpler option, you could use wall decals instead. These are specifically designed wall stickers or ornaments that can be placed and removed easily.
Tons of designs will look great on the wall above your bed and not having a headboard will be a blessing in this case.
If you’re looking for a bright, cheery, and colorful wall decal, I found this great sunflower-patterned wall decal on Amazon.
7. Rug
The next option entails hanging a stunning lightweight patterned rug on the wall instead of a headboard.
This visual will truly be an attractive feature in your bedroom that will showcase your personality and charm.
As you can see, the above decor does not include a headboard but they used a patterned rug that blends in perfectly with the rest of the decor.
If you want something bold and will make a statement, go for this idea.
8. Peel-and-Stick
There are peel-and-stick tiles available for any space that are affordable and can be easily removed at any time.
Try choosing a tile in a wooden plank to create a simple yet classy headboard feature as shown in the decor below:
You can either position it to cover the length of where the headboard should be or cover the entire wall for a beautiful backdrop.
9. Tapestry
Are you a lover of bright, colorful, and patterned things?
Then hanging a tapestry might be exactly what your space needs.
Depending on your current color scheme for your room, you’ll want to pick according to your style and theme to ensure it fits in well with the rest of the accessories.
You could also just drape a colorful patterned fabric on the wall if you don’t want to spend too much on a tapestry.
Tapestries are perfect for adding a rich layer of color and patterns to uplift and highlight the wall decor which makes it ideal for bringing attention to your bed area with the perfect tapestry to frame the bed.
10. Window
For a creative and out-of-the-box idea, you can consider hanging a window framed above your bed in place of the headboard or you can position your bed in front of a window.
This way, you won’t even need a headboard alternative since your bed will be against the windows and this will act as the feature.
11. Painted Mural
For those who love artsy stuff, you can paint a beautiful mural of something you love.
Whether it’s a colorful geometric pattern or a painting of a relaxing landscape scenery, this will surely be way better than having an actual headboard.
A color-block design is the latest trend at the moment and this can be personalized according to your current color scheme.
Here’s an awesome way in which this concept was done that looks modern and chic:
The only downside to this is that you’ll probably need a lot of supplies, effort, time, and skills to carry this through, or if you’re invested in this idea, you could try hiring a painter or artist to carry out your vision and idea.
12. Screen Dividers
Incorporate a more traditional yet modern element into your bedroom decor by using a fancy screen divider as a headboard.
This is worth the investment and it won’t take much effort to position it behind your bed.
If you’re interested in having a traditional screen divider with a beautiful pattern, I recommend this one over at Amazon.
However, do ensure that you have a sufficient amount of space to place a screen divider behind the bed.
If you’re looking for something truly creative and elegant, try this idea.
13. Windows & Doors
I’ve seen many bedroom decors that use a plain window frame without the glass as a headboard feature.
This is more of a daring option to try but the result does seem worthwhile.
Alternatively, you could even make use of old wooden doors to create a unique headboard.
This kind of headboard alternative is great if you want to fuse a more traditional decor with a modern style.
You could also change the layout of your room and position the bed in front of the window.
14. Slab of Wood
Use a large slab of wood instead of a headboard in a specific layout and creative design. This option may be on the pricey side but the result is simply amazing.
For a cheaper and more cost-effective solution, you could try getting wooden panels to do this.
It will add a warm and cozy element and detail to your decor that will be a huge upgrade to the appeal of your room.
15. String Light Curtain
Another great headboard alternative I found on Mr.Kate that will give you this airy and lush bedroom aesthetic is hanging a curtain with string lights.
Sheer fabric curtains look the best to give the space some drama and unique style.
You’ll have a lovely time lounging and relaxing in bed while watching a comforting movie, reading an all-time favorite novel, or simply winding down.
16. Weave Headboard Panel
If you’re keen on having some type of headboard, I highly recommend going with this rattan headboard.
This will make your bed look amazing and chic. It’s a great way to add a rustic or textured feature to the space.
This is the best Scandinavian weave headboard I’ve found on Amazon.
It’s one of the best decorative pieces that will make a huge difference in terms of visual impact.
17. Nothing
Okay, this might sound like a silly idea but you could simply opt for leaving the headboard area bare except supplement with a bulky arrangement of pillows to make up for the lack of the headboard.
To ensure the bed area remains interesting, pay extra attention to the bedside table and the decorations next to the bed.
This idea will work great for you if you want a simple bedroom decor that still appears interesting but only focuses on specific items you wish to highlight.
Closing Thoughts
It’s satisfying to see so many great things you can use instead of a headboard and a lot of these ideas will be a better option in the long run compared to using a traditional headboard for design and style purposes.
Although a few of the items on this list might be considered a bit daring, the result speaks for itself.
I do believe that many of these ideas will help you incorporate a unique and pleasant feature into your interior design that will help you create a charming space you’ll be proud to have even if you don’t have a typical headboard.
Are there any other headboard alternatives you may have come across that are worth exploring?
Do share them in the comments below.
For now, here are a few other posts you’ll enjoy reading:
