Q: I have a vintage iron headboard but I am stumped on what to put behind it to enhance its beauty. There are plenty of blogs and pictures on the web that provide ideas for the actual headboard; but very little on what to do above a headboard. I have high ceilings so I have the room to add something unique and fun to the bed space.

I also am tired of seeing pictures or a mirror above the headboard. LET'S GET CREATIVE! Branches with glass candle holders? YES PLEASE!!! Thanks tons. My blank wall and bed also say thank you.
Sent by Emily
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Nomade Express Slee...
Hey Emily...you should hang up some branches with glass candle holders.
I second the idea of a quilt, or any textile, hanging above the bed. I think that would add a lot of visual interest to your space and make excellent use of your high ceilings. Take a look at the third image down: http://lillstreettextiles.blogspot.com.es/2011/07/textiles-at-home.html?m=1
I think something like this would look great in your bedroom!
I saw a great idea on Pinterest the other day. Won't work for my bed because it's on a half-wall, but would be gorgeous for high ceilings (you'd have to pick a pattern that highlighted your beautiful headboard instead of hiding it).
http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/352336370817370887_XypAf0I7_c.jpg
Quilt. That was my first thought.
Or branches.
I have that same bed but with a footboard that I purchased about 30 years ago.
I have a small gallery wall of art that spreads the entire lenght of the wall.
You can hang 'soft' mobiles over the bed as well if that's your thing.
Another idea might be a piece of decorative ironwork to hang on the wall. Something like these:
http://www.ironaccents.com/163-fw1388.html
http://www.ironaccents.com/140-4027.htm
Can you move one of the side tables? It looks unbalanced to me.
I like the look of curtains behind the bed- and then you can change up the fabric as you like:
http://decoratingfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/curtainWall2.jpg
I also saw in Ikea how they cook the panel curtains and stapled them to the wall- so it kind of looked like wallpaper.
how about draping some sheers with twinkle lights behind them?
I think that creating a pallet covered wall would add great texture to the space (if you wanted to put the work in).
http://www.mandyjeanchic.com/2012/12/free-toilet-room-makeover.html
What I ended up doing above my headboard is to cover dollar store canvases with scrapbook paper and spread out on the wall to fill the space. You can customize the look of this kind of art with the kind of paper that you choose and even different canvas sizes to create interest. I know you said no art or pictures but this type of solution is very easy and can be made to your style. :)
Here is the site that gave me my inspiration:
http://www.frugallifeproject.com/2010/07/cool-wall-art-made-from-dollar-store.html
I like the quilt idea, too. Or an arched window to mimic the shape of the center of your bed like this...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/114343440/early-leaded-glass-arched-window-c-1850
You might be able to find one on Craigslist or see if you have a local architectural salvage store. They are great places for windows.
An arch of white fairy lights. Use Command hooks or holders to keep everything in place.
I have a similar challenge with a white headboard, cement wall and white wood furniture. I've been researching ideas as well... have a look and see if any of these ideas interest you: http://pinterest.com/mlopezartz/behind-the-iron-bed/
I am leaning towards the pallet idea, as well. I feel that the advantage of the iron bed is that you can see behind it! A pallet or wood accent wall could add line, texture and color, while maintaining the simplicity of the space. I pinned a few twig lighting ideas, as per your request.
Oh one more thing about the pallet is that you can customize it as often as you like- it can be painted, upholstered, wallpapered, tiled and lit. And it's not too heavy to hang over your head! If it's an accent wall it could add height, and you don't have to make it square or rectangular...
Gosh, maybe I should stop thinking and work on my own project!
Good luck!
You could go mad with architectural wallpapers like http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/stone-angels-wallpaper-by-young--battaglia---white-25m-panel-90cm-wide-11636-p.asp or http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/scrapwood-wallpaper-phe-05-by-piet-hein-eek-9m-roll-11039-p.asp
Ever seen "Girls" on HBO? The main character, Hannah (Lena Durham), has large iron scrollwork on the wall behind her bed. I know places like Hobby lobby sell items like this (probably not on as large a scale) and you could find something to suit your tastes.
Of course I can't find a still from the show to illustrate, but here is a picture of something similar:
http://images.monstermarketplace.com/country-home-decor-and-nostalgic-products/wrought-iron-scrollwork-candle-holder-420x241.jpg
Paper butterflies like in Serena's room on Gossip Girl:
http://shessmart.com/mixed-bag-misc/serenas-bedroom-butterflies-gossip-girl/
You can find them on Etsy, too...
The curves of your bed frame lend itself to collection of round items on the wall. Convex mirrors, decorative frames or even a collection of plates. I would search for a nice cohesive collection of round items and make a nice vignette.
Instead of hanging something like a quilt or branches (which are also good suggestions) why not try painting a mural? It could even be something very simple like a stenciled pattern to, well, whatever sort of scene you can dream up. Or maybe a wallpapered accent wall behind the bed.
On a different note, cute bedside furniture! I love the white piece.
I agree on the lopsided thing - can you move the bench at the end of the bed to the side of the bed - of course, no lamp there then, but I don't think the high up on top of the dresser lamp is doing much anyway. You could put a throw across the repositioned bench and still use it as a bench.
I think you have a lot going on around the bed already. My first thought was to put up crown molding in the room but that may not be viable for you.
You could also put two taller things (pictures/art) over each of the end tables (assuming the bench moves) and just leave immediately over the bed as a restful place for the eyes.
Anything out of fabric because it's so easy to change it out. Besides quilts, which I vote for too, try a sari. Or a beautiful woven rug that you dont' want anyone walking on anyway. or an ethnic weaving of some sort. Hmong embroidery. A kimono. (on a branch) A lace tablecloth your great grandmother made that you wouldn't dare put on the table. This works best if you have a colorful wall behind it. Even a set of dramatic silk curtains, drawn to each side to frame an awesome piece of art or giant photo.
All this can be hung with thumbtacks and changed with the seasons or with your mood.
We used to have a decorative iron work piece above our bed, but have switched it out to a thin inexpensive rug with a cool design on it that matches our accent colors. It really ties the entire room together and was very easy to hang since it's so light.
This is a much more subtle idea, but how about three smallish framed pieces of art (drawings, paintings, screen-printed letters, whatever) hung in a row above your headboard, about level with the top of the brown lampshade?
A single rectangular piece of art would clash with the arcs of your headboard (as would a gallery wall, I suspect), but three small pieces, spaced out and hung in a straight row would echo the three arcs of your headboard in a nice, symmetric way.
I could see a large, shabby chic dream catcher and/ or a collection of white vintage plates there.
Also love the sheer fabric and twinkle lights idea!
Kspies, do you have a link to your board? I'd love to find out more about that headboard!
check out the decorations above the bed (last photo) in this post:
kims-january-cure-my-third-week
I second the mural idea from @hotel lima . Be careful to consider whether you might be living in an earthquake zone - if yes then you do not want things hanging on the wall above your head! I learned that one the hard way.
A safe alternative and easier than a mural would be to buy some of those vinyl wall decorations - I can just see a flock of birds flying across your wall - and you could also incorporate your branch!
I like the metal pieces that several people have recommended, but I would hesitate to hang metal over metal. I think that branches or a quilt would soften the area and make the bed stand out.
I have a similar bed and I live in an earthquake zone where hanging stuff above the bed is generally a bad idea. So I went with a wall decal. StickerBrand sells lots of them on Etsy - and you can pick what size and what color you'd like: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Stickerbrand
I know you currently have furniture on either side of your bed, but I've always liked the look of an iron bed with a shelf behind it. Liked a sofa table, something like that. Then you can put a tall lamp, maybe a vase with branches (I love the light-up branches), a stack of books or magazines that you like to read in bed, some battery-operated candles. I think that helps to pull the focus to your headboard.
How about stenciling a tone on tone all over pattern on that wall? Use the same color as your paint but in a high gloss paint. Or how about an antique dress or piece of needlework? I have three antique baby dresses hanging by my side of the bed and I guarantee that not everyone will have them! Or could you try an arched type of window frame, like a gothic cathedral shape with or without glass? How about a large map, or a series of antique herbariums or prints? Or a blown up copy of a piece of calligraphy or ilIuminated music?
I think your bed and linens are lovely, but the room seems heavily balanced to the left side.
I think you should echo the curves of the headboard with round objects. You could use plates, wreaths, mirrors, round frames with fabric or paper, etc. I think a large, organic birch wreath in the center, with round plates over the two "dips" would look very nice. I'd go for simple plates, maybe ironestone. If I can fnd a picture of the wreath I have in mind, I'll post another comment.
It's Florida Joyce again. Check out these birch wreaths.
http://www.birchwreath.com/
I would fold a pretty quilt, a soft throw, or a handsome textile of some kind on that bench at the foot of the bed. Or drape it diagonally across the corner. I see your babies on the bed, so make it pet friendly! It's a cozy, welcoming room.
I have high ceilings too, and I've got this tapestry hanging up behind my bed: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=24264079&parentid=A_DEC_BEDDING
It adds a lot of depth to a room, and I find it very calming.
Depending how high your ceiling and how wide the bed, I'd consider a sari. Since these have one very decorated end, you would need to decide where it goes. It doesn't need to be directly above the headboard. Maybe buy a very cheap one on eBay just to see if the size and proportions work. If they do, look around because they come in a huge variety of fabrics, colors and patterns.
Whatever you do, if you plan on a textile, make sure that the size fits the wall height which can be very tricky.
Above my bed, I have twine hung loosely from two nails, about 2-3 feet long, and wooden clothespins holding pictures and postcards, some bigger than 4x6. Might work here!
You could do kind of a half-canopy thing where you suspend curtains from the ceiling above the bed and then pull them back and attach to the wall so they fall behind the bed.
Here's a few ideas, depending on your taste:
- white/ cream coloured paper birds (like origami) hanging from the ceiling at different lengths
-an empty vintage frame with ornate detailing
-tree branches along the wall... I saw some recently with clear glass bulbs hanging from them
About a year ago, I found a pair of vintage Italian tole sconces. I didn't like the pair above my bed (even though it's king and is technically wide enough to "carry" both), so I just did one. Perfect amount of interest without looking too busy.
http://leaningshantyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/flea-market-finds-their-stories.html
Shades of my grandma's house!
Don't use more wrought iron -- too busy, plus it would detract from your bed.
Keep it simple. If you add a lot of pattern it may be un-restful. I agree to try to improve the balance - can you add something larger to the lower table - taller lamp, maybe or large piece of art.
Tree branch art: http://dalidecals.com/Tree-Wall-Decals-Wall-Stickers/
http://www.wallsneedlove.com/tree-wall-decals/
Tree branch bookshelf: http://www.redesignrevolution.com/library-tree-branch-bookshelf-by-olivier-dolle/