23 DIY Headboard Ideas in a Weekend
A headboard changes a bedroom more than any other single piece, because it is the first thing you see when you walk in. Shop-bought headboards start at $150 and climb fast. Every diy Headboard idea below costs under $40, and every one can be finished in a weekend, most in a single afternoon.
The trick is mounting: a headboard can bolt to the bed frame, hang on the wall like art, or simply stand behind the bed. Wall-mounted is my favourite, because it never wobbles and you can take it with you when you move.
1. Upholstered Plywood Headboard
A plywood panel wrapped in foam and fabric is the classic DIY headboard. I cut plywood to size, glued on two inches of foam, wrapped it in linen, and stapled the back. The foam is the comfort part, so do not skimp on thickness. Pull the fabric drum-tight, because wrinkles show. Mine cost $28 and looks like the upholstered headboards selling for hundreds. It took a Saturday afternoon.
Cost: ~$25-35 | Time: 3 hours
2. Pallet Wood Headboard
Pallet slats screwed to two vertical battens make a rustic headboard in hours. I sanded my slats smooth, stained them weathered grey, and mounted the panel on the wall behind the bed. The gaps between slats are the design, so keep them even. Sand thoroughly, because headboards sit at pillow height. Mine cost $12 and suits our farmhouse bedroom perfectly.
Cost: ~$10-18 | Time: 3 hours
3. Tufted Headboard with Buttons
Deep button tufting looks professional and is simpler than it appears. I drilled holes through plywood in a diamond pattern, pulled upholstery buttons through with a long needle, and wrapped the whole thing in velvet. The diamond layout is the key, so mark it carefully before drilling. Mine took a full weekend and cost $35. It is the most luxurious headboard I have ever made.
Cost: ~$30-40 | Time: 8 hours
4. Old Door Headboard
A salvaged door stood upright is an instant headboard with beautiful panelled texture. I found a panelled door for $12, painted it cream, and mounted it on the wall. The panels give it a furniture look that flat boards cannot match. Check the door is solid, not hollow-core, because hollow doors dent. Mine cost $14 total and looks like it was made for the room.
Cost: ~$10-18 | Time: 2 hours
5. Fabric Panel Headboard
Three fabric-wrapped canvas panels hung side by side make a soft, modern headboard. I wrapped large canvases in a bold floral fabric and hung them in a row. The fabric is the entire design, so choose something you love. Pull it tight and staple on the back. Mine cost $22 and took an hour. It is the easiest upholstered look on this list.
Cost: ~$18-28 | Time: 1 hour
6. Woven Macrame Headboard
A large macrame hanging used as a headboard is pure boho softness. I hung a wide macrame piece on a wooden dowel behind our bed, and the texture replaced a headboard completely. The piece must be wide enough to span the bed, so plan the size first. Mine took two evenings to knot and cost $15 in cord. It moves gently and feels wonderfully relaxed.
Cost: ~$12-20 | Time: 5 hours
7. Painted Arch Headboard
An arch painted directly on the wall behind the bed mimics a headboard with zero furniture. I painted a soft terracotta arch in our guest room, and it frames the bed beautifully. Use a pencil string as a compass for a perfect curve. The paint is the whole project, so choose the colour carefully. Mine cost $8 and took two hours. It is the cheapest headboard on this list.
Cost: ~$6-12 | Time: 2 hours
8. Shutter Headboard
Two old shutters hinged together make a charming headboard. I found a pair for $10, painted them sage green, and stood them behind the bed. The louvers add texture and the hinges let them angle slightly. Secure them to the wall so they cannot topple. Mine cost $12 and suit our cottage bedroom. They are full of character.
Cost: ~$8-15 | Time: 2 hours
9. Bookcase Headboard
A low bookcase behind the bed is a headboard with storage. I placed a $25 flat-pack bookcase horizontally behind our bed, and the top shelf holds books and a lamp. Anchor it to the wall, because anything at head height must be secure. The cubbies keep bedtime reading within reach. Mine cost $25 and solved our small-bedroom storage problem. It is the hardest-working headboard here.
Cost: ~$20-30 | Time: 2 hours
10. Rattan Panel Headboard
Cane webbing stretched in a wood frame makes a breezy rattan headboard. I built a simple pine frame, stapled cane webbing inside, and stained the frame walnut. Soak the webbing before stretching, because it tightens as it dries. The cane pattern is timeless and suits every style. Mine cost $30 and took an afternoon. It is light, airy, and beautiful.
Cost: ~$25-35 | Time: 4 hours
11. Pegboard Headboard
A painted pegboard behind the bed holds shelves, lights, and art as a functional headboard. I painted ours deep blue, mounted it on the wall, and added small shelves for books and a reading light. The pegboard is endlessly rearrangeable. Paint it a colour you love, because it is a big surface. Mine cost $18 and our bedroom gained a whole organisation system.
Cost: ~$15-25 | Time: 3 hours
12. Curtain Headboard
Floor-to-ceiling curtains hung behind the bed create a soft, hotel-like headboard wall. I mounted a curtain rod wide across the wall and hung linen panels that puddle slightly on the floor. The fabric softens the whole room and hides an ugly wall. Choose a heavy linen, because sheer curtains look insubstantial. Mine cost $24 and took an hour. It feels like sleeping in a boutique hotel.
Cost: ~$20-30 | Time: 1 hour
13. Reclaimed Wood Chevron Headboard
Reclaimed boards cut at angles into a chevron pattern make a stunning headboard. I cut my boards with a mitre box, glued them to plywood in the chevron layout, and stained them mixed tones. The cutting is fiddly but the result is spectacular. Dry-fit the whole pattern before gluing. Mine took a full weekend and cost $24. Guests assume it is custom-made.
Cost: ~$20-30 | Time: 8 hours
14. Upholstered Tile Headboard
Individual upholstered squares mounted in a grid make a modern padded headboard. I wrapped twelve foam squares in fabric and mounted them with adhesive strips. The grid can be any size, so it suits awkward walls. Keep the squares even, because the grid lives on precision. Mine cost $26 and took an afternoon. It is soft, modern, and completely custom.
Cost: ~$22-32 | Time: 4 hours
15. Barn Door Headboard
A sliding barn door hung on a rail above the bed is a dramatic headboard. I built a simple plank door, hung it on a $20 rail kit, and it slides to reveal art behind. The rail hardware is the expense, so watch for sales. The door must clear the pillows when sliding. Mine cost $38 total and is the talking point of our bedroom. It is functional art.
Cost: ~$30-45 | Time: 5 hours
16. Woven Basket Headboard
Flat baskets arranged in a grid on the wall make a textural headboard. I hung nine seagrass baskets in a three-by-three grid behind our bed, and the texture is wonderful. Vary the basket patterns for interest. The arrangement must be secure, because baskets at head height cannot fall. Mine cost $20 and bring warmth to our neutral bedroom. It is unexpected and beautiful.
Cost: ~$15-25 | Time: 2 hours
17. Chalkboard Headboard
A plywood panel painted with chalkboard paint is a headboard you can draw on. I painted ours, framed it with pine trim, and we change the design with the seasons. The chalk art is the fun part, so keep chalk handy. Seal the frame but not the chalk surface. Mine cost $16 and our bedroom wall is always changing. The kids love it.
Cost: ~$12-20 | Time: 3 hours
18. Upholstered Wingback Panels
Three tall upholstered panels make a wingback-style headboard. I wrapped three narrow plywood panels in foam and fabric and mounted them side by side. The tall proportions are what make it look wingback. Keep the panels identical for symmetry. Mine cost $32 and took a Saturday. It looks like a designer headboard at a fraction of the price.
Cost: ~$28-38 | Time: 5 hours
19. Live-Edge Slab Headboard
A live-edge slab mounted horizontally is a sculptural natural headboard. I bought a small slab for $28, sanded it smooth, oiled it, and mounted it on the wall. The natural edge is the entire design. Make sure it is level, because a crooked slab looks accidental. Mine cost $30 and is a one-of-a-kind piece. It suits rustic and modern rooms alike.
Cost: ~$25-35 | Time: 3 hours
20. Fabric Headboard with Nailhead Trim
Nailhead trim around an upholstered headboard adds a tailored, expensive detail. I wrapped a plywood panel in linen and applied nailhead trim strips around the edge. The trim comes in strips, so no individual nails needed. Keep the line straight, because wavy trim ruins the effect. Mine cost $30 and looks custom-made. It is the detail that elevates the whole piece.
Cost: ~$25-35 | Time: 4 hours
21. Old Fence Panel Headboard
Weathered fence boards make a perfectly rustic headboard. I screwed fence pickets to two battens, sanded lightly to keep the weathered look, and sealed it. The weathering is the patina, so do not over-sand. Check for old nails before handling. Mine cost $8 and suits our farmhouse bedroom. It has more character than any new wood could.
Cost: ~$6-12 | Time: 3 hours
22. Mirrored Panel Headboard
Mirror panels in a wood frame make a glamorous headboard that doubles the light. I fitted mirror tiles into a pine frame and mounted it behind our bed. The reflection makes the bedroom feel twice as big. Secure it extremely well, because mirrors at head height must be bombproof. Mine cost $35 and transformed our small bedroom. It is pure glamour.
Cost: ~$30-40 | Time: 3 hours
23. Painted Mural Headboard
A hand-painted mural behind the bed is a headboard and art in one. I painted simple rolling hills in our nursery, and the wall became the room’s feature. Keep the design simple, because bold murals overwhelm bedrooms. Sketch it in pencil first. Mine cost $12 in paint and took a weekend. It is completely personal and utterly unique.
Cost: ~$10-18 | Time: 6 hours
Quick questions, answered
How do I attach a DIY headboard to the wall?
French cleats are the best method: one strip on the wall, one on the headboard, and they lock together securely. For lighter headboards, heavy-duty picture hangers work. Always hit studs for anything over 15 pounds, and never rely on drywall alone at head height.
What size should a DIY headboard be?
Match your bed width, or go 2 to 4 inches wider on each side for a designed look. Height is personal, but 48 to 60 inches from the floor suits most beds. Taller headboards suit rooms with high ceilings. Measure your mattress top and plan the visible height above it.
Can I make a headboard without power tools?
Yes. The door, shutter, curtain, painted arch, and fabric panel headboards need no power tools at all. Hardware stores will cut plywood and boards to size for you, usually free. A drill helps, but a screwdriver and patience get you there.
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