Easy Faux Headboard Ideas

Faux headboards are a simple way to update a bedroom without spending a lot of money. A sturdy bed frame and quality mattress are essential but the rest of the bed is purely for aesthetics. Whether you're saving for your dream bed or can't decide what type of bed style you want, a faux headboard can make the room feel more finished.

These faux headboard ideas are budget friendly and easily changed later if you grow tired of the design. Since most faux headboards are mounted on the wall, they can be space savers, too. Since you're really only limited by the bed width, the wall height and your imagination, a faux headboard is an opportunity to bring a unique design element to your room.

Crowned Curtains

The first faux headboard idea incorporates airy curtains, a picture frame (with or without art or mirror) and new or salvaged crown molding. Large ornate pieces of crown molding at least seven to 9 inches wide work best for this project, not the skimpy narrow stuff. Cut the molding two or three inches wider than the bed frame on each side.

Paint the crown molding and add distressed details if desired. Paint the frame to match the crown molding. Attach sheer white or ivory curtain panels to the back of the crown molding using hook and loop tape for easy adjusting or removal for laundering. Put the panels on each side leaving a gap slightly larger than the frame which give the curtains the appearance of framing a window. Attach the crown molding at least five feet above the mattress. Hang the frame or framed artwork in the center between the curtain panels.

Cottage Garden

An ornate iron garden gate is a perfect faux headboard for a Victorian bedroom or simply to add a touch of romance to the room. The gate can just be propped behind the bed if it's tall enough or mount it on the wall at the correct height for your bed frame.

The same style can be achieved using a section of picket fence bought at a local home improvement store. This works especially well for a child's bedroom or a cottage theme bedroom. Paint the picket fence any color you choose or stay with traditional white for the fence you've always wanted.

Lean on Me

This soft and cushy faux headboard will definitely promote reading in bed. Choose beautiful pillow shams that coordinate with your bedding. A fabric with texture works better than smooth fabric. Cut foam board rectangles a few inches smaller than your shams. Wrap the shams around foam board rectangles and secure with a low-temp glue gun.

Sew or glue five loops of ribbon evenly spaced to the back of the foam cushions and tie the ribbons to a wooden curtain rod. Mount the curtain rod with matching wooden brackets. Hang the curtain rod where the foam cushions will hang at a comfortable level on the wall.

These faux headboard ideas are so easy to make and inexpensive. Each one adds architectural interest and a focal point that makes the bed the center of attention that it deserves. After adding one of these faux headboards, you just might decide to put off buying that new bed indefinitely!