Hello AT,
I have bought this poster from Ikea to use as a "headboard" in my guest room. The problem I have is that it will be covering a window, and I would prefer to not have sunlight streaming through it. Does anyone have any suggestions for creating some sort of liner/sunlight block to attach to the piece itself (it is as thick as a piece of canvas)? Thank you for any help!
Thanks, Johanna
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Johanna,
Very cool. We'd suggest foamcore beneath the poster, which is easy to buy and work with .....scratch that, when your head hits the foamcore it will dent.
You really have to use some type of wood. Luon is a very very thin plywood that would do the job, but you'd have to really attach it to the wall so that it doesn't bend and move. Otherwise a nice piece of 1/2 plywood with one smooth side (for the poster) would do the job.
To attach the poster, there are a number of art glues that you could check out. A trip to Pearl Paint would solve all your problems there.
Anyone else?
This might look gross from outside, but you could always cover the window with tin foil. This blocks the light completely. Of course this doesn't help improve the sturdiness of the headboard/canvas itself.
buy an artists canvas of the appropriate size and paint it black (maybe on both sides?) then spray mount the image in place
might also add a nice "thickness" to the print
I suggest what's called "drapery black out lining fabric", it comes in white, ivory, and black most commonly, but it completely darkens a room when used as a drapery lining. It will not only darken the window but will protect the poster from incoming sunlight.
It's available at fabric stores (general fabric and upholstery fabric shops), through eBay, and many online retailers. If you Google for that phrase you'll come up with many options...
Wow! Way cool poster! This west coast chick is facinated by the sheer density of the east.
Is the wall with the window the only choice for placement? Is the poster the same size or smaller than the window? If so, you could use that art glue to mount it to one of those roll-up black-out shades and have the option of letting some light into the room while still protecting the poster from fading. Just a thought..
The thin plywood's name is luaun:
http://www.woodworking.org/WC/Woods/106.html
Luaun is usually used when you need something really thin with a pretty grain, though; it's not a construction material for anything bigger than dollhouses.
why would you have a headboard covering a window? im so confused...
but you can have that picture scanned and printed onto a large canvas and make it into a floor to ceiling curtain with a liner and a rod. it might be a different effect than what you are thinking of... but this way itll be a curtain-headboard and a curtain for the window as well.
You can now buy pre-cut pieces of block-out fabric at Target, sold near the window shades.
I believe the purpose of a guest bedroom is to allow a guest to rest. This poster is very energetic, is definitely not a restful poster and should not be used in a bedroom. In addition, why are you blocking a window?
That said, this is a cool poster and has so much detail, it should be used in an area where there is going to be lively conversation. I do love your idea of using a poster as a headboard and it is a great idea (that I might steal). Blocking out the light is also a good idea.
So my suggestions are: (1) use block out drapes, (2) don't put the bed in front of the window, (3) move this poster to where lively conversation will be had, and (4) buy a peaceful poster to use as the headboard.
I would love to see a posting of your final decision.
I mean this in the nicest possible way, but why would anyone block a window? :( Does it look out onto something terrible? I can understand at night, for sure! But to put up a wall hanging to block it during the day? Are we sure it wouldn't look better on another non-window wall?
can i ask why you are blocking a window? is the view just of a wall?
I've worked in theater tech for a while, and I'm going to second not using luaun for the backing on that piece. We occasionally use luaun for set construction on smaller pieces, and very rarely it can be used to cover flats. Sharp impact on it will snap the whole thing in half--if someone knocked their hand into it hard enough (always possible if you have restless sleepers overnight), it could damage the whole thing.
Instead, I recommend MDF at 1/4" thickness. It's cheaper and easier to find than luaun, more forgiving, and would work well for the purposes you have in mind. Plywood or pressboard are overkill, and while foamcore might work (I use it for set design models), the edges will deteriorate over time.
Thank you all for all of your suggestions. The overwhelming question seems to be why I would block a window. There are several reasons for this; the window faces the not-so-nice home next door, my house is a 1950 brick bungalow that has very strange window orientaion throughout, it is the only practical place to place the bed in the room. There is another window in the bedroom to allow light in. The poster actually comes with canvas stretchers, so it will protrude somewhat from the wall, to give it a little dimension. It is also rather large, 78 x 55". We have tried beautiful silk curtains in front of the window and came to the conclusion that it was not the look we were hoping for. I will be sure to post photos of the final look! Thanks again for all the advice.