Common decorating
advice dictates that bedroom décor should be restful, neutral, and a place of
sanctuary. But who wants sleep induced
by boring surroundings? You can turn
your bedroom into a stylish escape with a little do-it-yourself handiwork and
some imagination.
Large furniture pieces tend to set
the tone of a room, while choices of accents, lighting, and color define
personal style. Nothing provides a focal
point in the bedroom like a great headboard.
Before you run out to a store for a typical bed, however, consider
making your own headboard out of unconventional materials. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1.
Cut an inviting headboard shape out of vintage
wallpaper and paste it to the wall at the head of the bed. Modern vinyl decals can be used for the same
look. (Try wallwords.com)
2.
For
an upholstered look, start with a piece of plywood, some padding, decorative
fabric, glue, staples, and embellishments like upholstery nails. With little to no sewing, you can create a
plush headboard in endless patterns and colors.
(For help, go to marthastewart living.com) For a more rustic look, try burlap or canvas. Too much work? Hang a colorful quilt from a rail over the
head of the bed.
3.
Turn
an old door sideways after removing the hardware. You can distress it for a shabby chic look or
paint it any color you like.
4.
Attach
an old picket fence section to the wall.
5.
Connect
several shutters together to match the width of the bed. They don’t necessarily need to be the same
height or all the same colors.
6.
Connect
wooden pallets together and attach to the wall.
Position them all horizontally, all vertically, or mix and match slat
directions. You can keep the roughhewn
surface, or sand the wood and stain it for a smoother finish.
7.
Screw
several old boat oars together at varying heights and attach to the wall. Have fun with colors and patinas as you
collect your oars.
8.
Find
a large, old metal or wood advertising sign for some fun color.
9.
Use
a tailgate from an old pickup. Make sure
you connect all heavier pieces to studs in the wall so you don’t damage your
drywall.
Now pile on the pillows, and when
you choose your bedding, don’t be shy about mixing
patterns. Vintage quilts or chenille spreads make nice
accent throws. If you can’t decide where
to start, find inspiration in the places, colors, and styles you love. Your new headboard will make your bedroom
inviting and fun, and you’ll sleep well because you didn’t over-spend to create
your new look!