While there are plenty of great headboards on the market, you don't necessarily need one to create a great bedroom. If you're going for a low-key look, just don't want to spend the money, or feel like redecorating quickly, these rooms prove that you create a stylish space without a headboard.
This look works best when the bed is still defined, for example, with a big piece of art, two or three wall sconces, brightly-hued bedding, or by architectural features such as windows. That way, it looks planned-out rather than collegiate.
1. Amy's bed stands out thanks to black and white art and a chocolate-colored dust ruffle in Amy's Dashing Details.
2. Bronze sconces, artwork, and pale pillows are all the decoration this bed needs. Alvehm via SFGirlbyBay
3. In this rustic cabin from Martha Stewart, pink bedding stands out again white paneling.
4. The wall between two windows creates a headboard in Alexandria's Old Soul Apartment
5. A bay window creates a cozy nook for the bed in Ann & Bart's Patiently Furnished Apartment.
6. The bed is a serene space amid skylights, windows, and art in Clem & Louisa's Cape Town Cottage
7. Nick Olsen matches bold wallpaper with hotel-like bedding in this bedroom for Lonny Magazine.
8. Various shades of purple create a cohesive look in Rue Magazine
Images: As linked above.
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glad i'm not the only one without a headboard. it's more that i haven't gotten around to making one, but my pillow arrangement is similar to #8, so it does the space enough justice.
i think the main thing is that you have some type of focal point above the bed, whether it be a large paint or mirror, or even the big open window like #5.
you just don't want the bed to lose visual interest by not having a headboard, so you just need to over-compensate with accessories.
I agree with aprilheartsaaron, I think mainly you just need something as a focal point. i don't think it matters much whether that is art, a window, pillows, etc. Our guest bed is under a window without a headboard.
I recently built a headboard, but that is the first one. I usually prefer not to have one and I think a bed without can be just as stylish.
Although my bedroom has a headboard I designed that my grandpa welded, I went headboardless in the guest room and love how it turned out! Instead of a headboard, I hung a pair of abstract paintings.
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com
I love number 5! I can just picture staring out that window for hours on a saturday morning
I'd say I technically have a headboard (Malm bed from IKEA), but once the bed is made and the pillows are nicely fluffed, you can't really see it anymore. We used some placemats in an interesting configuration to create a nice focal space on the wall that I think turned out really nicely.
domesstic.com
the green stripes and random polka dots? Really?
I hung a checkered throw with a simple drapery rod.....
http://location910.typepad.com/gareman/2011/03/wall-hanging-apartment-therapy.html
#5 is the best headboard you could ask for, but I do wonder if they ever have and extended stretch on a summer morning and accidentally push the pillows out the window!
this post just made me realize a bedroom is NOT complete without a proper bed/headboard. All of these are a fail in my opinion.
I agree with misserock- this post is a good case for headboards.
I'm not crazy about sleeping under a hanging picture either. Not just for earthquake safety reasons- it's just bad feng shui.
I'm having deep headboard crises these days..to spend $500 on a headboard or continue headboard less? I like the last one the most. I would love to hang a picture above my bed but my husband doesn't like the idea of something hanging over your head while you sleep. Right now, we have giant paper lantern stars hanging above the bed but they feel too slap dash. Still searching for a reasonably priced/comfortable option..
Ikea has a solid wood wall-mounted headboard in various that is easy to install that runs for I think $130. I looked around and it was the best option for me at that price range.
Meh, I still prefer to have a headboard.
Mine was a $5 find at Goodwill, spray painted white and it works perfectly in my bedroom. Headboards don't have to be expensive.
I don't get headboards. I don't see "fail" here at all. Headboards and window treatments are two home design elements that I just don't get. Not saying they're bad. Just saying I could live forever without them and never notice.
oh man #5 yes please!
while i do find some bed frames and headboards stylish, i am a lover of the simple, and the headboard-less! i know at is about style, but i also think about do-ability, practicality and repeatability. and i relate to the simple headboard-less bed with comfortable bedding full of personality. i personally prefer sans-headboard for the low key aspects, cost and to have one less item for me to hit my various limbs on in sleep.
repeatability = relate-ability, dang nabbit!
Main reason I want a headboard is really for comfort when sitting up in the bed, as the wall is cold and I don't want to be constantly repositioning pillows. Also I have a shaved head so tends to leave a 'grease' mark on the wall if I lean my head against it so want to avoid that as well!
AT, pleeeease put the rundowns with the photos! HATE flipping back and forth!
OF all the types of posts on AT, the ones that insinuate that headboards are as vital as, say, the bed itself, have always perplexed me. I grew up in a design-forward home and have never had a headboard, I can think of several friends beds that don't either. I like them fine....I just don't feel like if I don't have one I have to create a faux-version. Maybe its a regional thing.