Need a Creative Headboard Idea, Here's One...

By
Home Stager with Simply Staging

I love, love, love my magazines and get lots of creative ideas from them.  Here's one that stood out as one that I couldn't wait to try, it was easy, it was fun and can be used again and again for stagers.  Use a closet door as a headboard.

When the seller's budget is tight, and we've all been there before, and there isn't enough to rent a real bed with a headboard or paint a room, this is a great alternative for adding drama and color. 

Here's what you need: 

  • One or two old hollow closet doors, make sure you use the side that doesn't have a hole for the handle, use the smooth side.  It should be hollow because we need it to be easy to carry and hollow doors are very lightweight.
  • Paint the door with your color of choice, preferably one that coordinates well with the colors to be used in the bedroom.  A quart of paint from your local hardware store is all you need for 2 to 3 doors.  Use a high-gloss to protect the paint since you will be moving it around a lot.  Or use a flat paint and then a sealer.
  • Get creative and paint stripes or coordinating color blocks, my first attempt was a basic one color and it turned out pretty nice.  I think my next project will include a more dramatic color scheme which will surely add drama and sophistication to a room.

See for yourself, for this project I used two different sized closet doors for a little interest.  I hung these on the wall for greater height, but you could also just rest them on the ground and lean them up against the wall or just use one door and hang it horizontally for a more traditional looking headboard.  I spent about $40 total for paint and the 2 doors.  This was for a guest bedroom and the colors gave the room a very romantic feel.  (Can you tell I used an air mattress?  Be honest.)

Where did I get the closet doors?  I go to my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore (check out this link for stores in the Sacramento and El Dorado County areas) to get great 2nd hand building materials and miscellaneous goodies for my projects.  It's a win-win because I'm helping my local community and recycling materials.  If you haven't tried a 2nd hand building material store yet, check your local listings to see if you have a Restore near you, you won't regret it.  The prices are great too!

"Habitat for Humanity ReStores are building supply stores that accept and resells quality new and used building materials. They generate funds to support Habitat's building programs, while reducing the amount of used materials that are headed for overflowing landfills! They are an environmentally friendly store that makes sense!"

I'd love to hear from anyone else who's tried this or has other creative headboard ideas to try.  Please share your pictures with us too.

Simply Staging has been offering Home Staging Solutions for both the "Vacant" and the "Not So Vacant" homes in El Dorado County and The Greater Sacramento area for more than 3 years.  For a free proposal, give us a call at (530) 417-1337 and see what it takes to get your home "Sell Ready".

Posted by

Emma Vargas, ASP

Simply Staging has been offering Home Staging Solutions for both the "Vacant" and the "Not So Vacant" homes in El Dorado County and The Greater Sacramento area for more than 4 years.  For your proposal, give us a call at (530) 417-1337 and see what it takes to get your home "Sell Ready".

Comments (17)

Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

This is a charming idea -- and one that is inexpensive and easy to do. Thanks for sharing.

Sep 18, 2009 08:33 AM
Todd McAllister
On Stage home staging and redesign co. Portland, OR. - Portland, OR

Another idea is that you could get a little battitng and cover it with fabric.  You could attach the fabric with adhesive velcro on the back...  GREAT IDEA.  Thanks for sharing

Sep 18, 2009 09:40 AM
Virginia Tatseos
Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

I love it.  Simple solution to a problem tha we all have. 

Sep 18, 2009 09:49 AM
Kate Wheeler
Country Homes and Land Murphy NC Realtor - Murphy, NC
CCIM - Murphy NC Real Estate for Sale

That's a great inexpensive idea - and no, I couldn't tell it was an air mattress!

Sep 18, 2009 10:13 AM
Laurie Calhoun
Gloria Home Staging, Inc. - Winter Springs, FL
Seminole County FL Home Stager

It's very elegant and restful, Emma. Thanks for sharing this idea - we're always on the lookout for headboard ideas.

Sep 18, 2009 10:19 AM
Emma Vargas
Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA
Simply Staging

Bob & Carolin- I'm happy to share, I've got a lot more of them too, just never thought I'd have to use them because sellers were willing to pay for the real deal not that long ago. 

Todd-  Yes, I've yet to try this one, but I've seen it done so often on HGTV DIY type shows. This would work well with the closet doors too!

Virginia-  Simple solutions, simply staging.  Thanks for the feedback.

Kate-  Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad the air mattress is not detectable, there's also been a lot of controversy here on AR with stagers on whether or not to use those.  I do, it's just so much easier and less expensive for the seller and I feel looks just as good.

Laurie- Thanks for agreeing with me, it did feel elegant.  I had to use the homeowner's bedding, so my only complaint was there was a bit too much pattern.  But when it was all done, I was pleased and so were the sellers.

Sep 18, 2009 10:40 AM
Mary Strang
Viroqua, WI

Great idea for an inexpensive fix, bet you could also add some trim or cover it in fabric too.

Sep 19, 2009 08:42 AM
Kimberley Hawley
Hawley Interiors & Staging - Caledon, ON
Hawley Interiors & Staging

What a great idea. Go to a re-sale store such as habitat and you might even be able to do it for less. We have a good will and re-cycle store close by and the paint, usually left overs, is free. They also have doors for $5. I never thought about using them for a head board but now I'm definitely going to try it. thanks so much for the bright idea.

Sep 19, 2009 10:43 AM
Liz Gallagher
LG Home Harmony - Home Stagers & Organizers - Montreal, QC
Montreal Quebec RESA member

Excellent idea! This is a problem we are often faced with ... think I may have a solution now.

Thanks

Sep 19, 2009 01:23 PM
C. Bartch
Newark, OH

Emma, how did you hang these doors? Nice quick inexpensive solution.

Sep 21, 2009 12:43 AM
Lori Donegan
Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN

I am also curious as to how you would hang them on the wall.  It's a great idea and easy as pie!  The air mattresses are brilliant-- but I have often wondered--should we put a little sign telling someone not to sit or lay on the bed?  Can you imagine if someone took a big leap onto it!!??  Like to be a fly on that wall!  Thanks for sharing your great idea!

Sep 26, 2009 03:50 PM
Emma Vargas
Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA
Simply Staging

Cynthia and Lori-  I simply added picture hooks to the back of the doors and wiring.  If you get the hollow closet doors, they are really light weight and don't require heavy duty nails for hanging.  Simply resting them agains the wall works great too.

Lori-  I actually do add a large sign on the bed and as they enter the room that lets people know that the bed is for display only and to not sit on it. 

Sep 29, 2009 05:27 PM
Debra Brodhecker
House Dressing - Branchville, NJ
House Dressing, New Jersey

Emma,  What a great idea!  We have a new Re-Store in our area and I just picked up a brand new light fixture for my daughter's new house--the tag said $529 and I paid $50--love those kinds of bargains and for a good cause!  Thanks for sharing.

Oct 14, 2009 11:47 PM
Emma Vargas
Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA
Simply Staging

Debra- It's amazing what you can find at those stores.  I love a bargain too and when it's for a good cause, even better!

Oct 20, 2009 11:52 AM
Patty Hill, Broker Associate
Local Homes and Land, Inc - Summerville, SC
Local Homes and Land, Inc

I love this idea!  It has inspired me.  Thanks for sharing.

Nov 19, 2009 01:00 PM
Emma Vargas
Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA
Simply Staging

Patty-  I'm glad I was able to inspire a few people with my idea.  Thanks for looking. 

Nov 20, 2009 06:28 AM
Mary Lou Teague
HOME STYLE AND STAGING LLC - Knoxville, TN
Home Style and Staging Knoxville. TN

Love this idea and you could change the color if needed..

Mar 11, 2010 11:24 AM