apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What about getting crafty and including the window in a wall mounted headboard piece using painted plywood to create the impression of a really big luxurious headboard? Make the window the centerpiece?

Urban Outfitters has got some lovely, upholstered headboards, too: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/jump.jsp?itemID=713&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=336&iSubCat=713&sort=0&viewall=All

how about linen covered foam board?

You could paint a headboard shape on the wall - it could be a simple box shape in a rich color or it could be a fun silhouette - I'd look at some of the fun silhouette stuff that is so popular recently for inspiration. It wouldn't be a 'real' headboard - but it would visually ground the bed and you'd be able to keep the much needed inches at the end of the bed.

Honestly, I like this WITHOUT a headboard. It is both modern and classic - and from the photo the whole thing has balance and looks peaceful, like a bedroom should be. A headboard + that window might look too cluttered and jumbled. I'm not sure why you want a headboard?

I actually have the Lewis headboard, and I love it, but I think it may be too tall for what stampy needs - the PB website says it's 54" tall from the floor, so I could be wrong (you could also cut part of the relatively short legs off if you only need an inch or two clearance). You might consider trying to find some padded wall tiles (I have no idea where) that you could arrange behind the bed and custom fit to your hearts content (I remember seeing a version of this done on trading spaces ages ago).

Sorry for the double post.

You could also just get a variety of large decorative pillows that you can use to create a backdrop for the bed (and also make it more comfortable to sit up and read).

An alternative to painting a headboard on the wall is blikking (http://www.whatisblik.com) a headboard. Aside from the 50 bucks you're gonna spend, it's practically non-committal. It's easy to apply and easier to remove.

does anyone know of a pottery barn in nyc that carries some of those upholstered headboards?

i'd hate to buy something like that online without actually seeing and touching it.

i think it would look nice if you did like a deep rich chocolate color behind the bed a la accent wall, but not the entire wall. just like 2 ft on either side of the window (however long your bed is - just used 2ft bc i don't know how long they are) from floor to ceiling. i think that would be awesome.

I would opt for a small one panel DIY padded headboard in the appropriated color...

DIY

DIY Appropriate color...need a preview button

link http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/fn_bedroom/article/0,2025,DIY_13822_2269610,00.html

DIY with a narrow panel of foam insulation; staple some pretty fabric to it, turn it the long way (horizontally) and nail the whole thing to the wall. I made a triptych that way...

On that new top design show someone put a curtain up as a kind of a head board in a child's room. It would be 2 panels so you could open it during the daytime and let light get into the living room - if needed.

i would paint or wallpaper the one wall behind the bed to set it off. keep the moldings white for contrast.

a headboard of any shape or size could look clunky with that window.

For the padded tiles idea, you can easily make your own. Either cut foam core into squares or use cork tile bulletin board stuff. Wrap fabric around them and mount them.

If you want a puffier look, you can pad them out with foam, scrap fabric, etc.

Jane,

Pottery Barn just opened a Bed and Batg store at 100-104 7th ave.

They should have the headboard.

I would go with Lizzy: no headboard. Put accent color pillows vertically behind your regular white pillows to give an impression of upholstered headboard.

I think it looks perfect without a headboard.

If you want something there for visual reasons or to keep your head from touching the wall, you can hang a narrow rod over the bed and drape fabric over it... the no-space upholstered headboard solution. :)

That Bed & Bath Pottery Barn doesn't have all the headboards. I went to look at the Montgomery Headboard and it's online only so they didn't have it there. They only had 2 or 3 beds set up.

I hate the idea of pillows touching the wall, and I think an unobtrusive headboard would be best here. I think you should go with something upholstered the same color as your bed linens, that ends well beneath the bottom of the window frame, maybe 10 to 12 inches above the surface of the bed.

Ikea used to sell a rail and two (overpriced) cushions that were meant to be used as a headboard + something squishy to lean against while sitting up in bed. You could do the same thing with cheaper cushions and an adustable curtain rail--all you'd need to do is attach some ties to two corners of each of the cushions so they could be tied to the curtain rail.

I love Alex's idea of the painted-on faux headboard - I think I'll do that to my bedroom this weekend! If you're looking for a headboard in order to visually frame the bed and make it a stronger focal point, how about putting up a narrow floor-length drape on each side of the window in a bold color?

I'm with the crowd who voted for no headboard. Honestly, this picture is very beautiful. When I saw the picture, my first thought was oh, finally, a beautiful bedroom. I haven't found most of the bedrooms beautiful in this month's features.

I really think a headboard would make this room look busy since you have a window above the bed. This looks modern and clean, so why not intentionally live without a headboard?

I find the whole concept of headboard odd, really. In our quest to live simpler and smaller, aren't there some items that just serve no purpose whatsoever that we can forego? Namely, a headboard? I've never really been a fan of them and wonder what their purpose is.

Anyway, your room looks beautiful as is.

Sorry - I read some more of the posts and find the idea regarding hanging curtains intriguing. They should be light and ethereal as is your room.

The reason I personally want a headboard is for reading in bed. Pillows, including bedrests, don't do any good when leaning against the wall causes the bed to slide away from it.

At the head of my bed (one side of which is against the wall) is a pipe chase which compounds the problem.

My bed overwhelms the apartment as it is, so I'll continue to wrestle with the bedrest and the pipe chase for a while.

Why not find an interesting heavy iron (?) object to put against the BOTTOM end of the bed to prevent it from sliding? Then you could read in bed with only pillows, etc.

Why not hang some super luxurious floor to ceiling velvet drapes? Open, during the day, they will frame the window and the bed (creating a kind of negative headboard that includes the window) and at night, closed, will look like a super tall and fabulous headboard. A charcoal grey or dark greige would keep the room neutral but add some drama and elegance to the room.

Target sells headboards. They look nice online, but I don't know the quality.

Jean,
I had the same problem. My bed slid on the floor everytime I moved. The solution is easy. I wedged a quarter under a couple of the wheels. Holds the bed in place.

You know, looking at this picture again, I think you have two things to solve: the headboard and the moving bed.

And I don't think you really need a headboard, but to incorporate the window better. And one way to do that would be to play with the height of the objects in the room.

You said you have a platform bed. Could you raise it by 6-8 inches? Perhaps by putting it on top of some storage drawers. You could get a neat step-down effect by going from window to bed to that radiator.

If that's not feasible, make your lamp either shorter or taller. Consider adding some light behind the window to make it even more of a feature. With a little effort, you could control that light from your bedroom, so it doesn't interfere with sleep.

Ballard Designs has somewhat inexpensive headboards. A friend raves about hers.

Your room is beautiful; it seems so calm. Adding a headboard is unnecessary.

For all fans of the PB Lewis headboard: extra slipcovers are on sale right now; $50/queen (regular price $200)!

I know of a company that sells modular upholstered panels that you hang on the wall. For your situation you can hang them at the height you need to clear the window.
Their website is www.upholsteredwallhuggers.com.
You also can order them in the fabric of your choice.
I hope this helps.