What could be better than winding down the day with a great book, snuggled up against a plush upholstered headboard? But the advantages of an upholstered headboard don’t just stop with comfort. Headboards occupy an especially prominent placement within most bedrooms which means that a new headboard can completely change the look of your space without making any major updates. In this post, we’ve collected stylish headboards from across the web – from traditional tufted headboards to modern minimalist headboards, to retro mid-century designs and every style in between. Get your latest bedroom inspiration from the buying guide below.
We’ve rounded up one hundred IKEA hacks that prove you can have champagne tastes on a beer budget. Each of these hacks illustrates the power of transformation – basic warehouse pieces are cleverly altered in beautiful ways that make them feel custom. This round up has me feeling like Aladdin on a magic carpet ride – so come along with me! I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder, over, sideways and under on a magic IKEA hack ride. All hacks are listed in alphabetical order by their original IKEA birth name.
Note: we tried to find all of these and make sure they’re still available on IKEA.com. Some models have been discontinued, but you can usually find a similar item to substitute.
Blair is Apartment Therapy’s Style Shopping Editor, where she covers the latest brand launches, need-to-buys, and anything related to her two unofficial beats — cane and rattan. Whenever she’s not perusing for the latest home finds (a rarity), you’ll probably find her reading, watching a horror film, or on the hunt for the best tacos in New York (recs are encouraged).
Plenty of home decor enthusiasts are guilty of buying things that are really pretty, but not so practical (myself included). Bedrooms are one of those spaces where comfort is key, so you really want to strike the perfect balance between style and function there. Choosing a headboard is an opportunity to make a big style statement, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice a good night’s sleep or spend a ton of money in the process. So if you’re out of ideas, sometimes the best thing to do is go back to the basics, just likeRobyn Pope did in her sleep space.
Pope and her husband are happy retirees living it up their minimalist-inspired, neutral home in Saint Augustine, Florida. After a hurricane flooded their neighborhood and hit their home, they were forced to rethink and redesign their space. “We used the flood as an opportunity to redesign this house for our lifestyle,” Pope says. “We love the outdoors, and the beach is a quick bike ride away.”
This couple’s design style mirrors their lifestyle, which is simple but upbeat, and that ethos is reflected across their entire home. “Comfort is of the utmost importance for us as far as furniture goes,” Pope says. That’s why she and her husband really only buy things they need, and their bedroom is a perfect example of that. They have a bed big enough for two, small end tables on either side, and a makeshift headboard that’s genius, wallet-friendly, and super-cozy: It’s literally a cushion tacked up to the wall!
Instead of searching for a grand bed or a fancy headboard, Pope and her husband opted to keep it simple with just an inexpensive bed frame. While they aren’t a requirement, headboards do help protect your head from bumping the wall in the middle of the night and can make reading in bed more comfortable, too. So Pope hung a large, padded cushion above the bed to serve this purpose, and it adds a lovely, homespun touch to the quiet but serene sleep space.
The best thing about this idea is that it really does work, whether you’re on a budget or just prefer a simple space without all the extra decorative bells and whistles. If all you can afford at the moment is a bed platform but still want to add a little extra comfort above your bed for your head, an inexpensive, store-bough bench cushion would do the trick here (maybe you’ve even seen this bench cushion idea work with a towel bar and a banquette in a kitchen, too). If you’re looking for a particular style and the pre-made options aren’t doing it for you, this is an easy way to get creative and make something of your own on the cheap, too. Either way, this idea is fun and functional, and it’s a perfect example of how doing less can actually be what’s best, in a bedroom or beyond.
Savannah is a master binge-watcher and home cook. When she’s not testing new recipes or re-watching Gossip Girl, you can find her on Facetime with her grandma. Savannah is a news producer turned lifestyle blogger and professional homebody. She has a bachelors in journalism from Clark Atlanta University, a certification in Digital Storytelling and is earning her Master’s degree from Harvard University. Savannah believes every day is a good day and there’s nothing good food can’t fix.
Sarah writes about all things shopping for Apartment Therapy, helping you find the best deals and the best products for you and your home. A Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl, she loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and her family (but not necessarily in that order).
