These 16 Headboard Ideas Look So Chic, You'll Never Guess They're DIYed

Just Begin

Rachel Valente says this was the first big DIY project she ever attempted, and, honestly, wow. One thing that was holding her back from beginning was not having enough space to construct a big project.

"I have a small apartment with no garage space, so I shoved everything out of my dining room to make room to do this," she says. "But, it showed me there is always somewhere you can start, and we’re all capable of doing something new we’ve never done before."

Add a Calming Color

"I wanted a low-budget headboard, but at the same time, I wanted a chic one," Jonali from All That I Home says. "As most of us know, if you can't buy it, DIY it!"

We feel that. Jonali said she first planned out her design with a handwoven mat that she knew she wanted to incorporate into the bed frame. She just needed to build the basic frame.

Next, she took measurements and purchased laminated commercial plywood for around $30. She said she chose laminated for a smoother look, but if you use MDF board, it's already smooth, so you don't have to take that into account. Then, she pulled together materials from past DIY projects to complete the look.

Use YouTube Tutorials

"DIY not only can be more cost-effective, but it can boost your creative side and affirm your DIY abilities," Weronika Sokalska from WS Interiors says.

She adds that if you're just beginning, YouTube is your best friend. Not only did she DIY this lovely headboard, but she also DIYed the stencil wall behind it. Her full tutorial on that is here.

"Have patience, and anything you make is a unique masterpiece, so don’t be afraid to go outside of the box," she adds.

Bring the Fun

Another impressive headboard and painted wall situation is shown here by Hannah Sellers Terry. By pairing a plain wooden headboard with a brightly colored original piece of art and a unique wall, the overall look is not only a chic DIY headboard but also a fun look overall.

Go Minimalist

Perhaps one of the most popular DIY headboard trends is the minimalist horizontal slat headboard like Riley from Campbell House's shown above. She details the entire process of building her guest bedroom DIY headboard here.

Add a Slat Wall

Riley from Campbell House originally DIYed this headboard for her bedroom but is getting ready to take it down and DIY a new one. "I think my style has just changed since then, so I’ll be taking it down and starting fresh," she says.

That's the beauty of DIYing with affordable materials: you can change it up as often as you like.

DIY an Upholstered Headboard

Ever since Sumner upholstered a headboard on Netflix's Get Organized With The Home Edit, DIY hopefuls around the world have been trying it for themselves. Upholstering a headboard is an affordable way to grab this chic look, especially if you're working with nice fabric.

"I knew I wanted a linen upholstered headboard in this space," Renee Rintoul says. She said she was surprised by the price tags once she began her search, so she decided to do it her own way. "The look I was going for seemed simple enough to tackle on my own."

We're so glad she did. The final product is super chic and didn't break the bank.

Get Playful

Lee Talbot from mavenHOME does so many things right in this DIY headboard situation.

"Have fun with the shape, keep it playful and always extend it beyond the width of the bed, even if just a little, to give it more presence and better proportion in the room and on the wall," she says.

Opt for Birch

Anu from Rautaj Anu used birch veneer to create this peaceful, trendy DIY headboard, and we are here for it. The cream and ivory linens combined with the ivory wall make for a beautiful neutral backdrop so that her floral accessories can really pop.

Go for Contrast

This dark DIY upholstered headboard from Megan of Copper & Gold Project really takes your breath away when paired with the super white accent wall behind it. Megan's tip? Wash and pull.

"It is important to wash your fabric first and pull it super tight as you are stapling it to the back of your frame because it will stretch over time, and you don't want it to lose its form and structure," she says.

Keep it Simple

"Headboards can be very pricey, and styles are constantly changing (or mine does daily anyway)," Whitney Parks says. "I love this look because it is timeless, simple, and no matter what style I’m “into,” I can incorporate it to work."

Parks made this simple headboard for under $30. The simple style means she can paint it or stain it later if she's in the mood to change it up.

Extend the Headboard

Henna Hiltunen's headboard is visible all the way down to the floor, and it just looks gorgeous. She used wood and small panels to create this trendy look.

Show Off Your Woodworking Skills

DIY headboards don't have to be simple, as Sam Raimondi from DIY Huntress shows here. Her woodworking skills are top-notch, so if you're a DIYer with skills like this, by all means, go for a more complicated headboard design.

Think Outside the Box

"For your upholstery, don't feel like you have to pick out something at the fabric store—we used some sherpa blankets as upholstery to make the headboard extra cozy," Magda Rauscher from My Modern Dom says.

Her other tip? "Invest in a nail gun," she says. "It'll cost you $40 but will make this project so easy!"

Add Some DIY Magic to a Plain Frame

While you can absolutely DIY a headboard from scratch, Jenna at From House to Home shows how she jazzed up an ordinary bed frame into this chic farmhouse bed frame in this reel. It's impressive.

Tap Into Your Inner Artist

Fia Pal says she made this bed frame out of MDF and spray-painted it white, then simply drew the black lines on it with a marker. The final result is a DIY masterpiece.