16 DIY Headboard Ideas for Your Bedroom Remodel (Updated for 2025)

Your headboard is one of the most impactful design elements in your bedroom. It can be difficult and expensive to find one that matches the style and color of your room, but the easiest solution is to make your own! Use the following list of DIY headboard ideas to create the headboard of your dreams. With a few simple supplies and a few hours of time, you can completely transform the look of your bedroom. 

1. Woven Headboard

For a more natural feel, you can create a woven headboard using materials like jute, hemp or natural-toned fabric. Construct a simple frame with thin wood planks and dowel rods. You’ll need a drill and glue to attach the rods to the planks. 

Next, use your natural fiber to weave back and forth through the frame. You can paint the wood first or seal it with a coat of polyurethane. This headboard can be screwed into the wall or held in place by your mattress.

2. Wallpaper Headboard

You can also try framing a square of bold wallpaper with painted trim behind your bed. Choose a print that appeals to you and measure it out carefully. Apply it to the wall using strippable wallpaper adhesive for easy removal later. 

Next, measure and cut wooden trim to frame your headboard. Paint or seal the trim, then use screws to attach it to the wall. Push your bed against the finished project to enjoy this unique, inexpensive headboard.

3. Wooden Headboard

Wooden headboards only take a few simple materials. Choose your desired measurements, then get three long planks and several wide, shorter ones. Sand the wood and stain it. Then, stand the tall planks up and screw the wide ones across them. 

For a fancier look, buy small wooden shims and a large sheet of plywood. Cut and frame the plywood, then stain it. Next, glue the shims in a herringbone pattern on the wood. Stain the finished product and place it behind your bed. 

4. Foam Headboard

For a plush hotel vibe, you can use half-circle foam or sliced pool noodles to create a fancy upholstered look. Use spray adhesive to attach the foam in strips to a large piece of plywood. Next, use more adhesive to smooth fabric over each foam round. 

You can use a stiff object to push the fabric securely into the creases. Run the foam strips vertical to add height or horizontal to add width to your space. Use a staple gun to secure the fabric to the back of the headboard. 

5. Tufted Headboard

This headboard looks plush and expensive and can be made out of any fabric you choose. Start by cutting plywood into the shape of your headboard. Next, use an acrylic spray to layer foam and then fabric on top. 

Use a staple gun to wrap the fabric around the back. Measure and mark where you want to add buttons. Then, use a screwdriver to attach screws and a washer straight through the fabric into the plywood. This will create the tufts. Finally, glue buttons on top of the screws. 

6. Slipcover Headboard

If you’re concerned about needing to wash a fabric headboard, this is one of the DIY headboard ideas for you. Measure and cut your headboard out of masonite board. Layer styrofoam between the front and back pieces and add side strips to create a box around the foam. 

Next, lay the headboard on your fabric and trace out pieces for each side. Add an extra quarter-inch to your sewing line so there’s room to take the cover on and off. Sew the pieces together and slip the fabric over the frame. 

7. Fairy Lights Headboard

With a few fairy lights and some sheer material, you can create a dreamy headboard that helps you relax at night. Use command hooks to hang a curtain rod over your bed. Then, use more hooks or nails to hang strings of fairy lights in intervals under the rod. 

Put a sheer curtain on the rod over the lights and enjoy. To turn this into a canopy, simply add another rod onto the ceiling at the end of your bed. Run lights and sheer material across the ceiling, around the rod and then back to the head of your bed. You use long lengths of tulle to avoid breaks in the fabric. 

8. Velvet Headboard

Velvet fabric has such a beautiful look and feel to it. To make one of the more simple yet elegant DIY headboard ideas, get the fabric in your favorite shade and plywood that matches the length of your bed. You can round them off with cotton. Once satisfied with the shape, fasten the cloth to the back of the plywood and staple it down securely. 

9. Jute Headboard

The jute headboard is another variation of the wooden headboard made so much easier. Seek out placements and table runners that you can staple together for a makeshift headboard. You can check out thrift stores. Make sure you can clean it well before purchasing, or find one that’s already of good quality for the best results. 

10. Quilt Headboard

Add a quilted headboard to make your bed more cozy. You can install a drapery rod above the headboard before draping your chosen blanket on top. For smaller spaces, you could potentially place a sturdy shower rod between the walls. It’s one of the easiest projects, and you can swap out your blanket as you please.

11. Headboard with Integrated Lighting

A headboard with subtle and concealed lighting installed makes your sleeping area more ambient, especially at night. Accomplish this by adding LED lights to the back of any bedpost of your choice. For more cushioned material, sticking the lights to the wall behind your bed may be more effective. 

12. Painted Arch Headboard

A painted arch headboard can be an aesthetic way of framing your bed. Make sure you pick a hue that stands out from the color scheme for that stark contrast. Some people like to use a stencil when painting with tape. Others prefer to go the geometric route by using a nail and string— fashion this into a DIY compass to get the perfect half circle for your bed. 

13. Painted Wrap-Around Headboard

Sticking with the idea of using paint as a frame, try out a wrap-around headboard design. Make sure you’re applying the paint just a few inches higher than the actual bed height to sell the illusion. Tape is key if you want to have straight lines, but other people also enjoy the charm of those rougher edges.

14. Washi Tape Headboard

You can also get creative with the tape itself by building a makeshift geometric headboard. Sketch up an idea and mimic everything around you, from sound waves to cityscapes to arrows and so much more. Make sure you’re getting tape that’s easy to remove afterward, especially if you’re renting a property. 

15. Pegboard Headboard

A pegboard headboard is one of the most functional DIY headboard ideas that you can try out.  Cut it down to the right size and install it as normal at the end of the bed. You can add a couple of shelves to put lamps on or add an alarm clock. It’s also a good way to hang photo frames or art prints that you want to have in your resting zone. 

16. Upcycled Door Headboard

If you have an old door lying around, consider upcycling it into a headboard instead. Change the finish with the varnish or keep it as it is for a more rustic feel. You can get multiple ones and have them right-side up, or just lay one singular door lengthwise against the wall. Some people also prefer to remove the doorknob for a clean flat slate. 

Easy Bedroom Upgrade With DIY Headboard Ideas

Making your own DIY headboard is easy and a lot of fun. Compared to the usual price of headboards, it’s also inexpensive. By changing this one item, you can increase the sense of comfort in your bedroom and help the space feel complete. 

Use these seven ideas to personalize your bedroom with a DIY headboard. Although some of these options are attached to the wall, others are secured by the weight of your bed. You don’t have to stop at one design idea– consider making several different options and switching them out seasonally. Happy crafting!

Originally published 11/04/2022 – Updated 06/16/2025