21 Above Bed Decor Ideas for Pennies

Above bed decor is the wall everyone stares at and nobody decorates. For two years the wall above my bed was blank white, and every photo of my bedroom looked unfinished because of it. Then I spent one Saturday and about eleven dollars fixing it, and the whole room finally looked done. That blank rectangle is the cheapest big win in bedroom decorating.

These twenty-one ideas all cost pennies, literally most of them under $10. The wall above your bed is the first thing you see when you walk in, so it sets the tone for the entire room. Each idea below is something I have tried or would try, with real costs and the mistakes to skip.

1. Oversized Thrifted Frame with Free Art

A big frame above the bed anchors the whole wall, and thrift stores sell them for a few dollars. I found a 24-by-36 frame for $7, cleaned the glass, and slipped in a free printable landscape. Big art reads expensive, small art gets lost, so go as large as the wall allows. Hang the center about eight inches above the headboard. Mine looks like a gallery piece and cost less than a pizza. Check thrift stores weekly, because big frames sell fast.

Cost: ~$7-12 | Time: 30 minutes

2. Floating Shelf with Small Plants

A single floating shelf above the bed holds plants and small decor for very little money. I bought a $12 shelf kit, mounted it centered over the bed, and styled it with two small pothos and a stack of books. Mount into a stud or use proper drywall anchors, because a shelf of plants falling on a bed is a nightmare I narrowly avoided. Keep the styling light so it does not feel heavy over your head. Mine adds life to the wall for the price of lunch.

Cost: ~$12-18 | Time: 1 hour

3. Tapestry Hung from a Curtain Rod

A tapestry above the bed adds softness and color for the price of a curtain rod. I bought a $16 tapestry online, hung it from a $8 tension rod, and centered it over the bed. Iron or steam it first, because fold lines are what make tapestries look cheap. The fabric softens the whole wall and adds pattern without paint. Mine is a subtle botanical print that I have loved for two years. This is the fastest above-bed change on the list.

Cost: ~$20-28 | Time: 30 minutes

4. Gallery Wall of Thrifted Small Frames

A cluster of small thrifted frames above the bed looks collected and costs almost nothing. I gathered nine mismatched frames for $9 total, spray-painted them all matte black for $5, and hung them in a loose grid. Painting mismatched frames one color is the trick that makes them look intentional. I laid the arrangement on the bed first and took a photo before hanging anything. The wall went from empty to interesting in one afternoon for under fifteen dollars. I still rearrange mine every few months, because a gallery wall is never really finished.

Cost: ~$12-18 | Time: 2 hours

5. Woven Wall Hanging from Yarn

A woven wall hanging above the bed adds texture for the cost of yarn. I bought $8 of chunky yarn, tied it onto a $3 wooden dowel in a simple pattern I learned from a video, and hung it centered over the bed. Imperfect weaving looks handmade in a good way, so do not stress about straight lines. Mine took an evening in front of the TV and looks like something from a boutique. This is my favorite handmade piece in the whole apartment.

Cost: ~$8-12 | Time: 3 hours

6. Painted Arch Directly on the Wall

A painted arch behind the bed looks like custom wall molding for the price of a sample quart. I used $6 of leftover paint to paint a big arch centered behind my bed, using a nail and string as a compass for the curve. Painter’s tape gives you the straight sides. This is renter-friendly if you repaint before moving, and it photographs beautifully. My arch took two hours and looks like a design feature. Pick a color one shade deeper than your bedding.

Cost: ~$5-10 | Time: 2 hours

7. String Lights Draped Simply

Warm string lights above the bed make the wall glow in the evening for a few dollars. I bought a $7 strand of warm white fairy lights and draped them in a loose swag from two small hooks. Warm white only, because cool white looks like a dorm room. I put mine on a timer so they glow every evening automatically. The wall looks magical at night and invisible by day, which is fine because they cost seven dollars. This is the coziest cheap trick I know.

Cost: ~$6-10 | Time: 20 minutes

8. Three Matching Prints in a Row

Three identical-size prints in a row above the bed is the simplest gallery that always works. I printed three free botanical prints for $3, framed them in $4 matching frames, and hung them with two inches between each. The matching sizes and frames do all the work, so the art itself can be simple. Measure the total width first so the row centers over the bed. Mine took an hour and looks like it was planned by a designer. Simple and symmetrical wins.

Cost: ~$12-16 | Time: 1 hour

So far: 8 ideas, and the most expensive one was $28. The wall above your bed might be the cheapest square footage in your whole home to decorate.

9. Macrame Wall Hanging from a Thrift Store

Thrift stores are full of macrame wall hangings from the seventies for three to five dollars. I found a large one for $4, soaked it in the tub with gentle soap to freshen it up, and hung it above the bed on a single nail. The natural cotton texture warms up a plain wall instantly. Check for musty smells before buying, because some do not wash out. Mine looked brand new after a soak and dry in the sun. Four dollars for instant texture is hard to beat.

Cost: ~$3-6 | Time: 30 minutes

10. Plate Wall with Thrifted Plates

A plate wall above the bed looks collected and European for pennies per plate. I bought eleven decorative plates at a thrift store for $8 total, hung them with $5 plate hangers in an oval arrangement, and the wall looks like a boutique hotel. Odd numbers and varied sizes make it look curated instead of random. I traced the arrangement on kraft paper first and taped it to the wall to plan. Nobody expects plates in a bedroom, which is why it works.

Cost: ~$10-15 | Time: 2 hours

Pro tip: Pro tip: the wall above your bed should be about two-thirds the width of the bed — measure before you buy or hang anything, and you will never get the scale wrong.

11. Fabric Panel Stretched on a Frame

A pretty fabric stretched over a cheap canvas frame makes custom art for under $10. I bought a half-yard of block-print fabric for $7, stretched it over a $3 thrifted canvas, and stapled the back. Pull it drum-tight and staple the centers first, working outward. The fabric pattern does all the design work, so pick something you love. Mine looks like expensive textile art and took twenty minutes. This is my go-to gift for friends’ bedrooms now. I made a second one for the hallway with leftover fabric, and now the two rooms feel connected.

Cost: ~$8-12 | Time: 30 minutes

12. Wooden Sign with a Hand-Painted Quote

A hand-painted wooden sign above the bed adds personality for the cost of a board. I bought a $6 pine board, sanded it smooth, and painted a short quote in white with a small brush. Keep the quote short and the lettering simple, because fancy script is hard to paint freehand. I practiced on paper first, which saved the board. Mine says something simple and makes me smile every morning. Seal it with clear wax so it does not chip.

Cost: ~$8-12 | Time: 2 hours

13. Basket Wall Collection

Flat woven baskets hung above the bed add texture and warmth for a few dollars each. I collected five baskets at thrift stores for $12 total, hung them with small nails in a cluster, and the wall looks like a global market find. Vary the sizes and patterns for a collected look. This works especially well in boho and farmhouse bedrooms. Mine cost less than one framed print and gets more compliments than anything else on the wall. I add one basket per thrift trip, so the collection keeps growing without ever feeling planned.

Cost: ~$10-16 | Time: 1 hour

14. Peel-and-Stick Mural Panel

A peel-and-stick mural panel above the bed looks like custom wallpaper for one roll of material. I used a $18 botanical peel-and-stick panel, centered it over the bed, and smoothed it up with a credit card. Measure the wall first so the panel centers perfectly, because off-center murals look like mistakes. Mine peels off clean for my rental. One panel makes a bigger statement than a whole wall of small frames, and it took thirty minutes. I centered mine using painter’s tape marks first, which took five extra minutes and saved me from a crooked panel.

Cost: ~$15-22 | Time: 30 minutes

15. Hanging Eucalyptus Bunch

A bunch of dried eucalyptus hung above the bed adds natural texture and scent for a few dollars. I bought a $8 bunch at the grocery store, tied it with twine, and hung it from a small hook centered over the bed. It smells faintly wonderful for weeks and looks beautiful as it dries. Keep it out of direct sun so the color stays. Mine lasted four months before I replaced it. This is the simplest natural decor on the list.

Cost: ~$6-10 | Time: 10 minutes

16. Mirror Trio Above the Bed

Three small thrifted mirrors above the bed bounce light and look expensive. I found three matching round mirrors for $9 total, hung them in a row with two inches between each, and the wall reflects the window light beautifully. Matching shapes keep it looking intentional. I hung mine slightly higher than eye level so they catch the light, not my reflection. Nine dollars for light-bouncing wall decor is a steal. I angled the outer two slightly inward, which bounces even more light around the room. It took some fiddling, but the glow is worth it.

Cost: ~$8-12 | Time: 45 minutes

So far: 16 ideas, and you have not spent more than $28 on any single one. This wall is proof that pennies really can decorate.

17. Chalkboard with Rotating Quotes

A big chalkboard above the bed lets you change the message whenever you want. I found a framed chalkboard at a thrift store for $6, hung it centered, and write a new quote or doodle every month. Use chalk markers for crisp lines, because regular chalk smudges. Mine currently has a simple line drawing of mountains. This is the only above-bed decor that never gets boring, because it changes. Six dollars for endless variety. My current quote has been up for three months because I love it too much to erase, which defeats the purpose but I do not care.

Cost: ~$5-8 | Time: 20 minutes

Pro tip: Pro tip: hang everything above the bed 6 to 8 inches above the headboard — lower looks crowded, higher looks disconnected, and that range always photographs well.

18. Scarf or Fabric Draped on Hooks

A beautiful scarf or piece of fabric draped on two hooks above the bed is instant textile art. I used a $5 thrifted silk scarf with a gorgeous pattern, hung it from two small brass hooks, and let it drape naturally. The drape is the whole look, so do not pull it tight. I change mine seasonally, which takes two minutes. This is the fastest above-bed refresh possible, and thrifted scarves have the best patterns. I keep a small rotation of scarves in the dresser drawer, so the wall gets a new look whenever I feel like it.

Cost: ~$4-8 | Time: 10 minutes

19. Wooden Ladder Shelf Leaned on the Wall

A small wooden ladder leaned against the wall above the bed’s side holds throws and looks charming. I found a $10 decorative ladder at a flea market, leaned it beside the bed against the wall, and draped two throws over the rungs. Make sure it leans at a stable angle and does not slide, because I had to add felt pads to mine. It holds my extra blankets and fills the wall space beside the bed. Ten dollars and endlessly useful.

Cost: ~$8-14 | Time: 15 minutes

20. Paper Fan Decorations Cluster

Paper fan decorations above the bed add festive texture for almost nothing. I bought a $6 pack of fans in cream and beige, arranged them in a cluster with removable adhesive, and the wall looks celebratory. Stick to two or three colors so it looks styled, not like party leftovers. Mine have been up for a year and still look fresh. This is the cheapest dimensional wall decor I have found, and it photographs beautifully. Mine survived a move taped inside a box lid, which tells you how sturdy cheap paper fans actually are.

Cost: ~$5-8 | Time: 30 minutes

21. Framed Kids Art or Doodles

Framing your own doodles or kids’ art above the bed is free and deeply personal. I framed three of my own simple line drawings in $4 frames, hung them in a row, and the wall feels like me. Simple line art looks surprisingly good framed, so do not overthink the drawing. This is the most meaningful decor on the list, because nobody else has it. Free, personal, and it always makes me smile. Frame what you love. I framed one of my grandmother’s recipes too, and that wall is now the most personal spot in my home.

Cost: ~$8-12 | Time: 45 minutes

The Blank Wall Is a Missed Opportunity

The wall above your bed is the cheapest big change in your bedroom. Every idea on this list costs less than a takeout dinner, and most take under an hour. Pick the one that made you smile, hang it this weekend, and watch your bedroom finally look finished. Pennies really can do this.

📌 Found your favorite? Save this idea now so you remember which one to hang first!

More penny-wise bedroom ideas: (see also: 19-living-room-wall-decor-ideas-for-pennies) (see also: 17-tv-wall-ideas-for-the-living-room-for-pennies) (see also: 21-living-room-wall-decor-ideas-that-cost-almost-nothing)