How to Decorate a Bed Without a Headboard

Decorating a headboard can make your bedroom look more luxurious than it already is. It provides a space for your bed to have customizations and other decor that can give it a personal touch.

However, not all beds come with a headboard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate your bed.

To decorate a bed without a headboard, focus on your background wall, coordinate your bed sheets and pillow covers, and shape your pillows to look like a headboard. You can also create a 2D headboard using paint or decals and hang wall art. Lastly, you can hang tapestries and install some shelves.

Doing all of these by yourself can be daunting. Fortunately, I have prepared this comprehensive guide for you.

1. Focus on Your Background Wall

Headboards look good on your bed because they give shape and contour to some of your bedroom decors. However, when you look at the whole picture, headboards are just “containers” for your designs.

Don’t worry too much if you don’t have a headboard. Focus on your background wall and provide that “container” with other methods.

Additionally, you’ll become more open to customizing more designs once you realize that your design choices are not limited to a headboard that you didn’t think of before.

2. Coordinate Your Bed Sheets and Pillow Covers

Even if you don’t have a headboard, you still need to decorate a bed, so I suggest starting with this. Typically, you should coordinate the color of your bed sheets and pillow covers and limit their color tones to three.

I recommend sticking to simple designs as busier designs tend to make it harder for some people to sleep.

I also suggest sticking to cooler colors. Yes, that’s right, cooler, not warmer.

According to recent studies by the University of Manchester, cooler light in the evening improves sleep.

This is contrary to previous studies that indicated blue light negatively affects our sleep patterns.

The Best Bed Sheet and Pillow Set for Your Bed

Below are three recommendations to help decorate your bed.

SONORO KATE Bed Sheet Set

This six-piece bed sheet and pillow set is made from double-brushed 1800 series microfiber fabric that provides extra comfort on your bed.

It is also equipped with deep pockets with elastic bands that can fit mattresses up to 24 inches (60 cm) deep. They also won’t shrink no matter how many times you wash them.

The fabric is stain and wrinkle resistant compared to other cotton sheets. Additionally, the company offers an unconditional return policy.

Candoury Satin Sheets

This choice is for you if you are looking for elegant sheets and pillow covers. They are made of pure satin polyester that feels silky to the touch.

The high thread count of the fabric also reduces friction with your hair, so you wake up with fewer tangles and hair breakage in the morning.

Satin fabrics are also known for retaining moisture on your skin, giving you a more radiant complexion compared to cotton, which is notoriously absorbent.

Mellanni Queen Bed Sheet Set

This bed sheet set is for you if you like the feel of microfiber but don’t like bulky designs. It comes with an all-around elastic fitted sheet that allows the sheet to stay in place.

Its microfiber composition also makes it more durable than cotton and resists color fading, stains, and wrinkles more easily.

They also offer a no-questions-asked refund policy.

3. Shape Your Pillows to Look Like a Headboard

No headboard? No problem! You can still quickly achieve the desired rectangular shape by placing two 60 x 60 centimeter large pillows upright on both sides of the bed.

It works even better if you have well-designed pillow covers that contribute to the overall aesthetics of your bedroom.

You’ll also feel more motivated to fix your bed in the morning to achieve the desired look. Why would you want to do that?

According to the speech by US Admiral McRaven, fixing your bed immediately upon waking up motivates you to accomplish more tasks.

The Best Pillows for Decorating Your Bed

Below are three pillow recommendations for styling your bed.

Foamily Decorative Throw Pillow Inserts 2-Pack

This pillow set is for you if you’re looking for simple pillows that match your bed’s design. They are made of 100% polyester fillings, which keeps them looking plump even after extended use.

Polyester pillows are also easy to wash and do not emit unpleasant odors upon purchase.

Basic Home 24×24 Euro Decorative Throw Pillow Inserts

This pillow set is for you if you’re looking for pillows with real feather and down fillings and cotton cover fabric.

The combination of feathers and down ensures that this pillow provides superior comfort. They are also known for their durability and breathability.

VVZ Shredded Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows are known for retaining their shape even after extended use, but they can be quite uncomfortable for some people as they tend to maintain their shape after curing. Fortunately, this pillow set solves that problem.

They are made from shredded memory foam, which is more moldable to the desired shape while returning to its original form.

4. Create a 2D Headboard with Paint or Decals

Another easy way to style a bed without a headboard is by using paint or decals. If you want to have that headboard design, you can easily create a two-dimensional one using these materials.

Paint is a bit more complicated and tedious, but it offers the most customization options. On the other hand, decals are readily available in various designs and sizes.

It really just depends on your preferences, but basically, decals can be easily removed while paint is semi-permanent.

The Best Wall Decals for Your Bed

Your bed deserves high-quality decals. Here are some of my recommendations.

SEATUNE Wall Decals

This wall decal is for you if you want to start your day with motivational quotes or Bible verses. It is available in various colors, sizes, fonts, and designs, giving you a wide variety of choices.

It is also easy to apply as it comes with its adhesives.

This decal is also made from high-quality vinyl with a matte finish. You can also easily peel it off if you want to put up new decals.

General Half-Circle Headboard Decal

This decal is for you if you’re looking for something that closely resembles a real headboard. Its semi-circular design gives you a traditional headboard look that accepts more designs on top.

It is made of high-quality vinyl, making it durable and waterproof. It also comes with an installation kit that includes metric tape, a smoothing tool, and a marker. It also has a matte finish.

Amaonm Chinese-Style Wall Decals

The design of this decal is for you if you’re looking for more intricate designs reminiscent of eastern settings.

It is made of easy-to-apply, self-adhesive PVC material that doesn’t damage the original color of your wall. Additionally, it is durable and water-resistant.

5. Hang a Wall Art or Photo Collage

Nothing elevates your headboard more than hanging a wall art or photo collage. It could be a large frame with a width similar to the width of your bed or an array of frames with photos or artwork that follow a similar theme.

If you opt for artwork, I recommend trying your hand at making your own wall decorations. According to an article by Am J Public Health, engaging in art-making or exposing oneself to artistic influences promotes emotional well-being.

6. Hang a Few Tapestries

Hanging tapestries in the background is another way to spruce up the aesthetics of your bed. They come in many colors and designs, so you won’t run out of choices.

Tapestries are also historically associated with royalty, proving how great they look in bedrooms.

There are two ways you can mount tapestries to your bed design. You can either hang two tapestries on both sides of your bed or hang one giant tapestry in the center to encompass the width of the bed.

Both options give you a headboard-like space, but only the former gives you more space for new decoration.

Aside from colors and designs, you also need to choose the fabric to use for your tapestry. Ideally, it helps if you look for fabrics with considerable durability. After all, its aesthetic value is only good as long as the fabric lasts.

Fabric Types for Your Tapestry

Cotton

Tapestries made of cotton tend to have a more subdued appearance and usually cost less than silk or artificial silk tapestries. They are also easy to clean and machine-washable.

However, most cotton fabrics, especially those with untreated dyes, have a hard time enduring prolonged exposure to sunlight without fading.

Polyester

Polyester fabrics are a common replacement for pricier materials like silk. They have significantly thicker and stronger strands, making them ideal for showcasing vibrant colors in exchange for finer details.

Although they are not as easy to clean as cotton, they usually come at a lower cost and are more resistant to light fading.

Silk

Tapestries made of genuine or synthetic silk are often the most expensive tapestries you can buy for your home. Their smooth surface allows for more light reflection, making your room slightly brighter.

Their fine threads also make designs appear crisper and more detailed.

Best Tapestry for Styling Your Bed Design

Now that you know the various fabric types you can choose from, find below my recommendations for the best tapestries.

Edeesky Black Mandala Tapestry

This mandala tapestry features rich and intricate designs that complement the boho aesthetic. It is made of 100% polyester, durable, and weather-resistant.

With high-resolution digitally printed designs, you’re sure to see even the tiniest patterns clearly.

It is also easy to install as it comes with two double-sided adhesive tapes, four hooks, and four installation clips.

Qahing Boho Mountain Tapestry

This tapestry also suits boho designs but with a more minimalist feel. Its bohemian construction is made of flannel (a material mainly composed of cotton) and feels cozy.

It also uses high-resolution digital printing for its designs, so the details are sharp and clear.

Each package also comes with two traceless thumbtacks, two mountain adhesive tapes, and two fixing bands.

Rajbhoomi Sari Colorful Curtains

If you’re looking for the premier feel that only silk can offer, this tapestry is your best choice. It is made of genuine Indian sari silk, the same silk they use for festive garments.

Its lightweight and sheer construction allows light to pass through easily, creating a colorful light that looks fabulous in the morning. Due to this property, this tapestry is best placed by a window.

However, due to silk’s inherent delicacy, you can only hand wash it.

7. Screw in Some Shelves

You can easily decorate your bed with shelves as a replacement. You can fill them with plants, books, shoes, or other collectibles that can add a touch of your personality and taste to your design.

Again, it would be best to make a geometry visible so that you don’t have to place shelves directly above your head.

You can have two tall shelves or cabinets in the same design next to your bed that resembles columns and gives you that rectangular headboard look.

For safety reasons, you should also invest in high-quality locks for your shelves and their contents.

Take some time to properly attach your shelves to your walls and, if possible, install angle brackets for better earthquake safety.

You should also secure the contents of your shelf, especially if it contains fragile items like glass or ceramic. You can do this by attaching durable double-sided tape or adhesive to the bottom of the items.

Final Thoughts

Decorating a bed without a headboard is not necessarily a difficult task. There are many ways to do it without breaking the bank or compromising your chosen design.

Here are some things to consider when decorating your bed without a headboard:

• Focus on your background wall as you only need to simulate the geometry of a headboard.
• Coordinate your bed sheets and pillow covers as it contributes to the overall aesthetics of your bed.
• Shape your pillows to look like a headboard to showcase their colors and designs.
• Create a 2D headboard using paint, decals, and wall art.