15 Easy DIY Headboards

Find ideas for creating inexpensive custom headboards for your bedroom or your kid's bedroom.

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April 09, 2019

By: Jacquelyn McGilvray

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Sweet Dreams

Old picture frames and salvaged lumber were turned into a personalized headboard for a little girl's bedroom. "Sweet dreams" was spelled out and each letter was embellished with flowers. Create your own personalized message or spell out your child's name.

Fireplace Mantel Headboard

This vintage-chic headboard was made from an old fireplace mantel with a tufted upholstered insert.

Picket Fence

This rustic-chic headboard was made from an old picket fence. The pickets were cut up into small pieces, cleaned and then refinished in a few different stains. Then the pieces were fitted into a frame made from more weathered lumber.

It's Not Metal

This industrial-style headboard is made out of PVC pipes that were painted silver. Twine was strung between the pipes, then clothespins were added to display vintage postcards. The next photo shows another version of this same headboard.

Sail Off to Sleep

PVC pipes painted silver make this bed frame look like metal. A piece of a boat sail is stretched across the frame thanks to the addition of grommets and rope.

Say It Was His Bed

The slatted headboard on this platform bed leans back just enough to make it very easy to sit up and read or watch TV in bed.

Cottage Style

We modeled this headboard from one we saw in a popular home-decor catalog. It is very simple to build standard-size lumber is fastened to a large piece of plywood, then the whole piece is painted white.

Statuesque and Upholstered

Create a dramatic focal point by bringing your headboard up to the ceiling.

Photo Frame Headboard

Salvaged planks are lined up to make a headboard with a family photo mounted in the center. The photo can easily be swapped out to match decor changes.

Rustic Style

This wooden headboard was made using basic tongue-and-groove construction. We distressed it, then gave it a weathered barn-wood finish, but it could be painted or stained any color.

Enchanted Forest

To make this pretty girls' bed, an old thrift store headboard was painted white. Then branches were also painted white and attached to the headboard. The branches were then adorned with pretty birds, ribbons and glitter.

Twinkle, Twinkle

Holiday lights are used to create a built-in night-light in a little boy's bedroom. Glow-in-the-dark stars accompany the moonlight for some extra sparkle.

T-Shirt Collection

Kids often have a hard time parting with their favorite T-shirts even after they've outgrown them. Use old T-shirts, sport jerseys or old blankets to create a collage of color over your child's bed.

Homemade Slipcover

An old wood headboard is draped with an inexpensive canvas drop cloth. The drop cloth is held on by ribbons tied at each side. To give the slipcover a shabby-chic look, we placed a piece of old handcrafted crewelwork in the center of the drop cloth.

Duct Tape Headboard

Colorful duct tape is wrapped around a big piece of cardboard to make this racy kids' headboard. This is an inexpensive and easy project to make with your kids. No power tools are required, and kids can use their creativity to the fullest.

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Photo By: Frank Murray

Photo By: Susan Teare