A nice bed can make or break your room design. Unfortunately, it can also break your bank account. Stop gazing longingly at that overpriced monstrosity from Pottery Barn (or wherever) and start thinking about how to make your own!

Some of these DIY options are really easy headboards to put together, and some require a bit more proficiency with tools. But all these headboards can be made at home for a hell of a lot less than a retail bed would cost. Plus, you know they’ll match your decor!

I dug through the mountains of ugly options out there to pick half dozenish best DIY headboard projects on the internet. (And of course, only projects with instructions.) Instead of wasting an afternoon on Pinterest, just keep reading.

1. Trompe D’oleil It Up

Not only is trompe d’loil fun to say (trawmp loi!), but it’s a really cool and useful concept for DIY. This example from Better Homes and Gardens uses two framed pieces of fabric painted with a railing to create the effect of a headboard without, well, an actual headboard.

• You could do this with or without the frames, and draw any style of “headboard.”
• The specific directions for this trompe d’loil headboard use linen stretched across the backs of the 36×48 frames and stapled before the “wraught iron headboard” is drawn on. However, your options are wide open on this: use whatever fabric, frame, and silhouette you want. (Just test the fabric first to make sure it’s not going to bleed.)

You can find the full instructions here.

 

2. It’s A Mod, Mod World

Sometimes simple is better. This DIY headboard from Women’s Day is nothing but paint on wood, but manages to evoke echoes of mod. Sterling Cooper? Old Doctor Who? Whatever it reminds you of, you can knock this headboard out in an afternoon; all you need is some circular stickers and a can of paint. They say it’s intermediate level but it looks pretty simple to me. If you try this, please let me know how it goes!

Full instructions are here.

3. The Color Pallet Headboard

I think there’s a law that every DIY roundup must include at least one (1) project involving wood pallets, so here we are! This is one of the easiest headboards to make, too: paint, screws, and you’re ready to go.

• Take it one step farther by making matching pillows, stenciling a pattern on some of the boards, or faux-aging it with sandpaper.

The full DIY instructions are here.

4. The Hardback Headboard

Calling all book nerds! This colorful headboard from Instructables turns a collection of unloved books into the focal point of your room.

• You can get books for free or almost free at library or garage sales, and your local Half Price Books might let you look through their rejects if you ask really nicely.
• ONLY CUT UP BOOKS NOBODY WILL WANT TO READ or incur the wrath of readers everywhere.
• Look for solid hued books in colors that complement your room.
• Save the book pages, especially if there are pictures, for other craft projects!Full instructions are here.

5. Pallet + Stain + Stencil = Headboard

 

This piece also uses wood from pallets, but adds stain and stencil to transform them into something almost luxe. This is another headboard project where if you dream it, you can do it: this headboard DIY traces vines and leaves, but you can put any pattern on there you wish. Your new homemade headboard is going to be a focal point in the room, so make sure it has a pattern that deserves that attention.

Full instructions can be found here.

6(ish). Use a thing!

If I wanted to stretch this list out, these would each be separate entries, and I could do a whole article just on things in this category. But at base, the idea is: see a really cool thing that’s about the size of a headboard? Use it as one! This includes:

A door!

A sign!

A big ol’ hunk of wood!

 

I could keep going but I think you get the picture. Other options include mirrors, framed pictures, salvaged pieces like wooden shutters, even a white picket fence. (You can finally have one!)

Check out my Pinterest page for even more headboard DIYs.

Did you make your own headboard? Have you tried any of these options on your own bed? Please comment and let me know how it turned out!