Introduction

Short on headboard ideas? This Seriously Cheap series shows some easy decoration ideas to add a bit of pizazz to that space above the head of your bed. Each of these ideas can be used as the headboard alone, or as an added touch to the wall area at the head of the bed.

Wikipedia says “The headboard is a piece of furniture that attaches to the head of a bed. Its most basic function is to retain the pillow(s) and other bed linens.” I believe a headboard need not be a bulky piece of furniture, nor does it need to keep pillows in place. Creating a headboard is the perfect way to anchor the bed visually and help define the spaces of a room. If it happens to look good while doing so, then all the better!

Headboard: Single Hanging Jewels. Click to view the full size image.

Part 3 – Single Hanging Jewels and Much More

Much like Part 2 of this series, Make a statement with jewels on a string, this headboard design entails hanging beautiful jewels above the bed to make them appear as if they are floating. With this design, however, we’ll place our single jewel at the bottom of each line, just high enough above the pillow line to allow them to be seen easily.

Click the thumbnail image above to view a full size example image.

Listed in Part 2 of this series are several ways of installing a headboard design of this type. The simplest, quickest, and least expensive way is to use fishing line and cup hooks. Your total cost for hanging supplies can run below $5.

Let’s get even more creative!

Variations – More than just jewels

Why stop at jewels? As in Part 2, crafters know that large glossy beads can be as beautiful as shiny jewels. Or try hanging seashells instead of jewels. Hang 3 near the bottom instead of just one. Clam shells, starfish and sand dollars are great choices. Even conch shells make for interesting vertical decoration.

If you are decorating a room in the French Country, Bohemian, or Shabby Chic style, try white-washing some miniature terra cotta pots and hanging them upside down. Hang a row of vintage postcards by their corners.

Gather a handful of artificial flower petals and create a mini-bouquet to hang at the end of each line. Allow the petals to hang loosely in a very casual style, or create small flower pomanders (flower balls) with a few diamond’esque beads attached. (I found some 4″ pomanders being sold for $22 each! Might I suggest your local “dollar” store for loads of low-cost flowers and flower petals.)

Speaking of flowers, go large and create your own large flower balls out of basic printer paper. This “Click to visit this external linkPaper Rose Ball Easy” video will show you how. Perhaps use hot glue instead of staples as shown in the video. As long as we’re talking artificial flowers, picture a row of pretty Calla Lilies or Gerbera Daisies hanging upside down by single stems. What a showpiece of a headboard!

For a beach or summer-inspired room, hang a pair of sunglasses on each line for some fun and whimsy. Around the U.S. Christmas holiday season, there is a whole new supply of themed decor to choose from. Get inspired!

Hang a collection of anything you have – ceramic butterflies, colorful bracelets, small empty picture frames, antique brooches, or bunches of buttons. The sky is the limit!

Variations – Maybe not fishing line

OK so maybe fishing line isn’t your idea of a fancy headboard or decoration idea. The easy fix is to use something completely different and a bit unexpected. Consider using any of the following ideas:

• Ribbon (craft/fabric ribbon) – So many styles and so little time.
• VHS tape – Video cassette tape (not the casing) is thin, black, glossy and relatively strong. If you can remove it from the casing without wrinkling it, you’ll have a nice hanging material to work with.
• Leather cording
• Thin branches (hung vertically)
• Clear tubing (for small fountain pumps, for example)
• Chain, for an industrial look
• Fancy belts
• Strips of fabric (try some cut denim or lace)
  
• Cording, rope or twine
• Feather boas (found at most craft and party supply stores)

Lastly, as always, step back, enjoy, and take a picture.

You’re done! Take a step back and be proud of your new decor. Be sure to take some before and after shots and share your designs with us!

This Series

Seriously Cheap and Easy Headboard Decorations Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4