Chalk dust near where I sleep? Ewww.
Mirrors over my head where earthquakes occur? Ouch.
And the gaffer's tape trick is cute, but I'll pass.

Headboards aren't something you're required by law to have. If you can't afford one, save up.

I like the idea of the mantel-as-headboard, but I'd worry about the stuff on it falling on you while you sleep...

Yes, I agree with other posters that while some of these ideas are cute they aren't practical! Mirror on top of my head in earthquake country! Hell no!

Oh, good god. #1 gives me visions of being decapitated by a falling shelf.

Your comments make you all sound like a bunch of old ladies!

Great rooms. I would say that pot on the top shelf looks a bit precariously placed though!

:-)

Uh- what I really want to know is, how they made that cool spiral pipe shelf?

i LOVE number 8!

Ya know, there are a lot of other places in the world besides earthquake prone locations.

How about we just praise people for their creativity and ingenuity rather than just buying something cookie cutter out of an upper-class furniture store?

BTW, 4 and 5 is just plain awesome.

yes
how about
a
how to
on
the
"cool spiral pipe shelf"

Some are cute, but I agree chalkdust in bed is a definite no.

Agree with FantasticMrFaux!

I actually liked the chalkboard headboard. I could draw something new on it weekly and never get bored! The big picture (4)is fantastic too...

Love the pipe and shelf arrangement. Obviously the screw-on caps hold the shelves in place, they're not going anywhere. I'd love to see if it's the round piece with screw threads at both ends, fixed to the floor and ceiling. I'd hope so! I love the idea of alternative uses for those pipes and connectors.

I love the huge mirror in the second picture. I just bought one for our bedroom.

I'm also not in earthquake country, so the stuff on shelves overhead doesn't bother me. The faux-painted linen headboard from Martha Stewart is also really cool.

A cheap and cheerful alternative for those in earthquake zones would be to get a panel of fabric as wide as your bed. Bring it up the wall to the ceiling and secure it there, then drape it from ceiling over the bed partially or all the way, attaching to ceiling as needed. Gives the effect of a canopy. Anchors the bed for good feng shui, too.

I LOVE the tin ceiling tile headboard!! I would line them from floor to ceiling. What a great way to bring texture and shine into the room. I already checked on Ebay, and you can get them super cheap- faux or reclaimed. I have been scouring the internets for a cool new headboard, and this one is brilliant! I also love the chalkboard idea- you could just wipe it down with a washcloth to minimize dust :)

Some of America's largest most destructive earthquakes occurred in Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri, on the New Madrid Fault back in the early 19th century. You may not think you live in "earthquake country," but you might be wrong.

I don't really understand why you absolutely must have a headboard? It's fine if there's one one the bed frame, it's fine if you add a headboard because you really want one - but it seems no one ever realised they could live without the illusion of a headboard? At least not AT people. The percentage of beds with headboards here at AT must be like five times higher than in real life (my real life, that is).

We've got three black metal garden trellises that we're going to attach to the wall behind our bed to make a headboard. Just have to find the time!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/house-tours/tricia-and-stefans-seaside-havenhouse-tour-103848

What about the awesome driftwood one from San Rafael that was posted in the above house tour.

I feel bad for a lot of you, if the only thing that could possibly make your bed shake is an earthquake :(

.. and believe it or not but "safety" is a major issue when it comes to good design. While a lot of these alternative headboards are cute and/or innovative, they are not safe which makes them bad designs.

I took a panel of some kind of insulation (sorry, I'm not real well acquainted with the materials) and covered it with a panel curtain with a pretty print from Urban Outfitters. Then I nailed the panel (horizontally) to the wall.

I love the enlarged photo of the laundry on the line!

that shelf is awesome! want.

This was posted as LA, no? I can't be the only California resident who has lived through a large earthquake. I might sound like an old fogey but I won't have a concussion the next time we have an earthquake, and all of my beautiful belongings will be safe. :)

I do really love the spiral bookcase in general though -- things that spiral like that are quite lovely.

That pot in the first picture is too funny! The pipe book case, really neat!

Exactly my thoughts Khatam!
It's not earthquakes I'd be worried about. ;)

Wow, I had no idea the earthquake issue was going to be so controversial. To be clear, this was posted on ATLA but from the Austin faction. Earthquakes are not an issue here as in lots of other parts of the country. And this post was intended to be a roundup of creative ideas from previous AT posts that would be applicable to everyone, no matter where you live. As for safety in headboards, use your best judgment based on your locale. No, headboards are not necessary, but they are interesting and part of decorating. If you want one, get one or make one. Otherwise, don't do anything. Simple!

I´ve also done a low cost headboard. You can see it on my blog: http://ministryofdeco.blogspot.com/2010/01/un-cabecero-mas-barato-imposible.html
I used cork mats and fixed them to the wall with double-sided tape. It´s really cheap and has lots of possibilities. Feel free to comment!

So, then, why doesn't AT make a Southern thread? Atlanta? Austin? Whatever.

But in all of CA, earthquake safety is a given.

My goodness people! This is very simple - if the headboard isn't right for you then just don't have one like it. Couldn't really be more simple. It's just like walking into a house with decor you don't love - you don't have to run out and copy it.

I love the mirror and I think it might work for my own home.

for those who are concerned, I removed the potted plant after about a week -- I wasn't concerned about it falling, but I sometimes overwater my plants... No fun. I finished the pipe shelf just days before the photographer came to shoot the place, so it was hastily appointed with stuff. Here is a current shot - It gives a little more detail for those who are curious how it's fixed to the ceiling. http://www.flickr.com/photos/45376228@N06/

Fantastic MrFaux, we Southerners would love that. I do happen to think it's really odd that Texas posts are placed in the LA category since we are so incredibly different. I believe several of us have asked for a Southern thread on AT since it's really a whole other ballgame than any of the cities AT does cover, but we have no control over that.

However, many AT posts, no matter what city they originate from, are placed on the main page everyone can read them. So I think it's fair that everyone chime in.

Wow...I love #4. Bookmarking that one.

I completely agree with FantasticMrFaux, Anna Europe, Khatam, paintitbright, and HeyNowTex and thank them for kindly offering their comments.

It's not a bad idea to offer a couple of reminders on potential dust-traps and/or the hazards of decor (due to earthquakes or other activities, as Khatam kindly pointed out). Despite what you might think, not all Californians automatically think about earthquakes when they decorate. It never hurts to have another reminder.

MistyforAustin: I appreciate this post and the comments this post engendered. I must ask HOW can the "earthquake issue" NOT be controversial? The devastation of Haiti may not be too close to home but it has only been a few weeks since California's Northcoast had an earthquake with damages in millions of dollars. Maybe you should check out the recent online videos of windows shattering, wares flying off the shelves, and the genuine violent shaking from the security cam's that got all of this footage. Thanks for the clarification that this post is only meant to inspire us but please don't make light of earthquakes and the hazards of decor as a mere "issue."

The headboard made out of electrical tape is fantastic! How about a gray, red or green headboard out of color gaffers tape? Here's a great source for the tape http://thetapeworks.com/