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No headboard in the Master Bedroom? Make One for under $50!

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Home Stager with a fresh space :: home staging & thoughtful organizing

I often run into clients on a tight budget who want their house to look terrific when it sells (that's why they hire me!).  But, as is so often the case, even while much of the house looks really nice, the master bedroom is the last place to get spruced up.  I find a big bed - usually just a mattress & box spring on a frame - in the middle of the room with a bunch of mish-mosh furniture pieces. 

Anyone who stages knows that you need to make a master bedroom a retreat and without a headboard, the room just doesn't look finished.  There are lots of techniques you can use including covering a board with fabric, or using lots of pillows.  But here's something I've done with several clients that looks just fabulous - and way more upscale and expensive than it really is! 

I've had several clients do this project - sometimes using scrap lumber they may have - and sometimes using pre-made pieces such as wall hangings or bifold doors.  Being creative is the key!

Now keep in mind that you need to have a handy homeowner (someone who can operate a few power tools) or a carpenter.  But with furniture grade plywood, some trim pieces, some caulk & paint, you can create a headboard that looks like you got it at Pottery Barn.  When it's finished, just attach it to the wall.

The one pictured was built by the homeowner for less than $50.  I designed it using 4 x 8 furniture grade plywood and trim pieces - I think here he used 1 x 2 pieces but 1 x 4 or 1 x 6 pieces would give a more craftsman look to it.  You can also add a piece of crown moulding at the top if desired.  This was painted in Sherwin Williams French Roast.  The homeowners did all the work in here on my recommendations.  Before it was cluttered and looked like a college dorm room. Now it looks like you'd want to rest & relax.headboard

Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Great job Liz.  I love finding creative solutions for headboards too. 

Aug 17, 2009 10:31 AM
Donna Schoby
Liberty Bank of Arkansas - Bentonville, AR

Liz, This is pretty cool! Thanks for sharing. I may have to make some for my own inventory!

Aug 17, 2009 10:38 AM
Liz Jenkins
a fresh space :: home staging & thoughtful organizing - Franklin, TN

Thanks for the comments! I was really happy with the way this one turned out - and it feels really good to be able to help a struggling home-owner as well.  They just couldn't afford to buy a new bedroom set so this turned out to be a great option for them.  But I've had other clients build them and love them so much they keep them!  This is also a great solution for guest or kids rooms where you don't necessarily want to spend a fortune but want a little pizzaz.

Aug 17, 2009 11:15 AM
Chrissie Sutherland
Ready Set Stage - Greensboro, NC

very clever.  It looks great and I love it that you had the homeowners do it themselves.  They did a great job.  The room looks put together and gorgeous.

Aug 17, 2009 01:19 PM
Liz Jenkins
a fresh space :: home staging & thoughtful organizing - Franklin, TN

Yeah-I couldn't build it myself but it's really not that hard if you have any skills in the carpentry direction.  And thanks for the comment on the room - I was really pleased with how it turned out - this was a verbal consult - not me doing it all so you just never know.  But they really listened.  And it worked - contract in less than 10 days I hear.

Aug 17, 2009 03:15 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

This is great Liz, I love how the homeowner took your instructions and made a great headboard. It really changes the appearance of the room, well done to you & your clients!

Aug 18, 2009 02:07 AM
Wendy Carroll
Coeur d'Alene, ID

Headboards make all the difference.  This one turned out particularly well.  Congrats!

Aug 18, 2009 05:05 AM
Anthea Click
Fresh Perspectives - www.InsideNashvilleHomes.com - Franklin, TN
Nashville Home Stager - Selling Nashville, TN homes quickly!

Liz,

You are always filled with great ideas! Thank you for sharing - you are truly a blessing to those you come in contact with.

Aug 18, 2009 06:02 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Love to learn about new ways to do things here on A/R!  This headboard is a great idea.  It looks great in the photo.

Aug 18, 2009 06:42 AM
Tessa Skeens
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

I have always wanted to "build" a headboard. I am still thinking about a nice padded one but have been wondering how easy it would be to wrangle foam and batting!

This is a great solution to just give the bedroom that little extra somethin somethin. Nice job and thanks for sharing!

Aug 18, 2009 08:24 AM
Kate Jahnson
Home Stage Home - West Linn, OR
Home Stager

Man I wish I was crafty!  Great headboard Liz.  Would you like to make some extra money and make a few more for we non-crafty stagers? :)

Aug 18, 2009 11:59 AM
Liz Jenkins
a fresh space :: home staging & thoughtful organizing - Franklin, TN

Glad my headboard is inspiring some craftiness! 

Tessa - what's cool about this is you can use the idea as a springboard if you want to make one for yourself.  You can add molding, medallions, even put fabric between the trim pieces if you want.

Kate - I've had my husband build these - and they aren't that hard - if you can wrangle some power tools.  I'm not particularly crafty myself but I'm good at directing others to be crafty!

Thanks for all the comments - I appreciate them and am glad you like it!

Aug 18, 2009 12:16 PM
Anonymous
B Thrower

Nice.....in fact very nice and a great idea for the times.

Nov 05, 2009 05:45 AM
#13
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

How heavy and hard would this be to used for transport?  Or is it something that needs to be built on site.

Nov 16, 2009 05:07 PM
Liz Jenkins
a fresh space :: home staging & thoughtful organizing - Franklin, TN

Cindy - depending on the size of the bed, it can be bulky.  For a twin or double - it can fit in the back of a van or good size pick up.  To build off site, I recommend doing it in 2 pieces for anything over a double.  Then you can attach them to the wall side by side.  You won't be able to see as long as the butt right up against each other or you can add a small piece of trim over that center section. 

This bed was a king and the homeowner built it on site.  You can do it with just two panels and have the center trim piece be the dividing point.  It looks even cooler if you put a piece of crown molding on the top. 

Hope this helps!

Nov 16, 2009 11:47 PM
Patty Hill, Broker Associate
Local Homes and Land, Inc - Summerville, SC
Local Homes and Land, Inc

Liz, great idea. Thanks for sharing the details!

Nov 19, 2009 01:05 PM