Bed Headboard: How to Decorate the Wall in the Bedroom

With whom and what can one go into a parallel sleep, an unconscious world of obviousness? The second important element is the bed. Historical literary sources pointed us to the first nurses: Hypnos, Morpheus, Olen Lukaie, Nitu, Pitaos Shikala, Giuma Chenmo…

Eventually, the bed became a symbol of rest. Its headboard became a source of biological energy and a talisman of well-being in our rapidly changing world.

Types of Headboards

Decorating the headboard for beds is a task that takes into account personal preferences, making it almost intimate. First, an idea for implementation is chosen; the rest depends on imagination and financial possibilities.

A designer's project considers the visible and memorable place that a headboard of a large bed deserves in a beautiful bedroom.

Fabric Headboards for sleeping are mainly made from textiles. They are popular and widely used in comfortable private homes. Additionally, they serve as sound-insulating elements of decoration. In finishing, dense quality textiles (velvet, taffeta, tapestry…), natural and artificial leather, and dermatine are used. The color of the bed's back is chosen to match the overall room drapery - in key with the color of the carpet or curtains. There are combined options using several different textured materials in the headboard finishing. Accentuation is achieved through contrasting colors.

The retro style prefers shaped backs, using buffets in decoration. The headboard can be represented by a panel covered with material and attached to the wall, as wide as the bed itself.

Rigid: wooden backs are logical for minimalism in bedroom decoration. The size of the headboard should be proportional to the dimensions of the bed. The color is chosen to match furniture or flooring. Wood is decorated with mirror or stained glass inserts. The bed's back can also be decorated with shelves, panels, or holders for cups, mugs, and compact tableware.

In a rural style (cottage, Provence, shabby chic), it is possible to use aged wood in light colors or with a natural wood texture. It is also possible to make the back from old doors, window frames, or planks.

The shape is chosen rectangular or with slight rounding at the edges. Richly looking carved headboards from expensive wood species are typical for eclecticism and boho style.

Photo: Soft, minimalist bed back and wall behind it

Design: Svetlana Chepikova

Photo: Rigid wooden back in Scandinavian style

Design by Swedish company Alvhem Mäkleri & Interiör

Photo: Arch in the headboard

Photo: Soft panels covering the entire wall

Design: Olga Kulikovskaya-Eshbi

Photo: Bed in a niche in the bedroom interior

Cozy house in Sweden

Styles

The stylistic solution for bed headboards in the bedroom can be effective and varied, complementing the overall room decoration.

Eclecticism leans towards fantasy and even extravagance. Wooden beams, grid patterns in the headboard can "revive" the interior. Brick wall masonry can be accentuated with a soft bed back made of expensive colored textile. Grey and black decoration "sends" to the origins of the hi-tech style. Contrast is created both by the color of the material used and its texture.

Rural Style is created with "available" materials. These can be elements from a cart wheel, weaving from willow branches or vines, imitation of knitting with needles, wood blocks… Wooden structures are coated with lacquer or left in their natural texture.

Boho prefers vivid colors, vintage elements, and the use of textiles in decoration. This is an affirming style that loves bold and unconventional solutions. It does not reject the use of rough-cut planks, but without splinters or sharp edges.

Ethnic Style is characterized by diversity. The Scandinavian component implies a soft headboard in classical minimalism. The Eastern direction leans towards carved patterns and contrasting colors. Moroccan motifs support colorful drapery on the bed back. The Mediterranean touch is in white and blue hues in the decoration.

Classic Style is tradition with strict lines, using expensive natural materials from solid wood to drapery. The bed headboard in classic style is tall and elegant.

Design: Ilya Nasonov, Maria Nasedkina

Interesting Ideas for Headboards

• Wood with patina and elegant carving will remind of the olden times.

• A metal headboard made in the form of a grid, longitudinal or transverse bars, gives a vintage look and "sends" to the origins of romanticism and Scandinavian style.

• Using artistic engraving in the finishing will enhance the bedroom atmosphere with an Asian color.

• Headboard decoration can be made from mosaic, stone, colored glass pieces, sea shells… any material that inspires the imagination.

• Alongside designer finishing of the back, budget-friendly options exist: wallpapering, painting, cornices, moldings, pilasters, pictures, photographs, mirrors, photo wallpapers, panels, false windows, niches.

Design: Yana Zhudanova

Arch Over the Bed

The arch over the bed is made according to all standards of interior partitions. The optimal variant is made from gypsum board. It allows installing built-in artificial lighting sources. The surface of the construction is painted, covered with wallpapers, draped, or covered with mosaic or tiles.

Design: Irina Krashennikova

Pillows on the Wall

Using a construction made of soft pillows in the headboard is considered a fairly budget-friendly way to decorate the wall behind the bed. The pillow inserts (flat or "stuffed") are selected or made by oneself. Usually, there are about 4 pieces. Removable pillowcases are provided for easy washing. They often match the color of the duvet or bed linen. Metal rods are mounted above and below the bed to which the prepared pillows are attached with ties.

Photo Collage

Popular is decorating the bed headboard with photos. Family images from vacation and relaxation areas are preferred. In case of need, the collage is easily changed to another composition. This is considered an original and budget-friendly way to decorate the back or wall behind it.

Design: Yana Molodых

Screen in the Headboard

The screen "in the head" of the bed is stylish and colorful. It is characteristic of the Eastern style, but also chosen to suit any design direction.

Design: Jean-Louis Dénio

Reflections and Mirrored Panels

A mirror can be in a carved, elegant frame on the wall in the headboard or an element of the back decoration. Optically, it expands the space, so it is relevant for small bedrooms. For safety and following Feng Shui advice (do not reflect a sleeping person in the mirror), the mirrored panel is raised above the mattress by at least 40 centimeters.

Design: Elena Lapshina and BERLOGA Design Studio

Shelves and Niches in the Headboard

They allow for rational and effective use of space near the bed in the headboard. Attention should be paid to the strength of the mounting of the construction to the wall, as this is a matter of personal safety. The height of shelf hanging is determined by the reach of an arm from its usual position to easily access books, tablets, cups, switches.

Design: Anna Ilyina, Figura Architectural Studio; decoration - Ekaterina Korneeva

Headboard Made by Yourself

It is very interesting to make a bed headboard by yourself. There are so many options for decoration that the choice can take more than an hour or even a day. In this case, fantasy and artistic taste are welcomed. Materials for realizing the idea can be found at any construction market.

Design: Nadezhda Zотова

Design: Yana Zhudanova

How to Make a Bed Headboard: Easily Done by Yourself

On the cover, the design project by Maria Rubleva.