Ditch Your Headboard

Why we're loving cozy, naked beds -- and how to get the look!


I've been contemplating different ways to make my bedroom unique ever since I spied The Frisky's round-up of faux headboards.

My husband and I are currently renovating our master bedroom suite, and instead of dealing with a teeny bathroom, we've opted to cut into the size of our bedroom to create a larger, more integrated space. The plus side of the new arrangement is a massive bathroom, but the downside is a tinier bedroom.

Our four-poster bed will no longer work in the space, so I'd been brainstorming ways to incorporate a smaller headboard. Then, I had a lightning bulb moment, "Wait a second," I thought, "Why do I even need a headboard?" Sure, they're great for storage, aesthetic and reading in bed, but why not opt for a lighter look?

After the jump, check out a few examples of headboard-less looks that I can't wait to try for myself:






Mid-Century Model
I can almost smell the teak furniture in this mid-century-styled bedroom. The teal paint acts as the perfect backdrop for a mix of vintage and graphic prints.

Get the Look: In lieu of a headboard, make your pillows sing with shams in a sweet print. To draw the eye upwards, a collage of prints and family photos shines when hung against a bold paint color.

Femme Fatale
This bedroom is so feminine, it's almost deadly. Behind a quilted, pink duvet and velvet-y ottoman, a sweet floral wallpaper creates a beautiful accent wall. Did you even notice there's no headboard?

Get the Look: A patterned wallpaper applied as an accent wall creates a bold visual impact. Meanwhile, decorative pillows give you a comfy place to rest your back -- while reading all of those romance novels, of course!

Simple Space
A fancy headboard would compete with this space's grand architecture and the massively fabulous light fixture. Instead this child's bedroom hits the right note with minimal furnishings, simple bedding -- and no headboard.

Get the Look: Opt for statement lighting as your focal point, rather than a bulky headboard. For storage, try a few floating shelves where a headboard would be, painting them the same shade as the wall. The key here is to blend, not accent!

Sweet and Stark

Do you love photography, Polaroids and everything sweet? Well, we've got a look for you. Here a photo collage in the shape of a heart stuck directly on the wall takes the place of a headboard.

Get the Look: Draw your eye to a collage of photos mounted as a shapely heart (or another fun design) above the bed. For storage, try a simple bookshelf behind your pillows. To keep the look from going overboard, pair the photo montage with white walls and simple sheets -- a bedroom should be soothing, not distracting.

Go ahead, kick that headboard to the curb. These bare beds are proof that, every now and then, it's OK to break the rules!

For more bedroom ideas, read on:
- 6 Inspiring Bedroom Makeovers
- Turquoise in the Bedroom