Adding an interesting headboard is an easy way to spruce up your guest room or bunkie. Rather than buying something new or carting up a cast-off from home, try creating one yourself. It’s a great summer project: you can repurpose supplies already at the lake, use unconventional building materials found at your local Home Hardware, and get the kids involved in some crafty construction.
Design & DIY
Create these cottage-themed DIY headboards
Window shutters
This window shutter headboard adds a touch of architectural class while still keeping a room fresh and outdoorsy. Construction is versatile: you can build a wooden frame to support the shutters, or just mount them directly to the wall. You can also paint the shutters to match any colour scheme.
Pallet
Use every crafter’s favourite found object as a base for this super simple project. You can build a frame from 2x4s and then fill it out with boards from a pallet or two. The untreated wood is perfect for staining and you can space the slats as close, or far apart, as you like.
Canvas & twinkly lights
To add a touch of whimsy to your lakeside boudoir, string twinkly lights along the back of the canvas—either in a geometric pattern or in sweeping curves—and mount the canvas above the bed. Bonus: this works as an excellent night light.
Antique Windows
For a more vintage look, you can install some old windows left over from a renovation—or from a local thrift store —directly over your bed. This project can be made to suit your unique style and space. For a single bed, just install one large frame or use stained glass for a pop of colour.
Barn door
For a more rustic look, you can try this barn door conversion. Hunt around in the country for an authentic and perfectly aged farm castoff, or build a false door out of new lumber and stain it whatever you like. Either way, this is the perfect accent to a country-chic retreat.
Picket fence
If you want to add a little June Cleaver to your cottage, consider this white picket fence headboard. It’s a clever way to create clean lines without getting boring. Cut the fence into whatever shape you’d like: straight and narrow, or with a fun peak.
Tree branches
Building a headboard from branches is great because you can source the supplies from just outside your front door. Configure the limbs in whatever pattern you like—either in clean lines or curved together in a crescent—and mix and match wood types for a more varied look.
Pipes, string and photos
You can use piping, string, clothespins and postcards (or photos) to showcase the many places you’ve visited. Or swap out the souvenirs for family memorabilia and create a hanging scrapbook of your many summers at the cottage.
Painting
For an artistic headboard, mount a canvas the same width as your bed on the wall. You can keep an eye out for a simple work of art, have a photo printed onto the canvas, or get the kids together to paint a family original.
