13 Unique No Headboard Ideas

Looking for no headboard ideas or alternative headboard ideas to spruce up your bedroom? Be inspired by these headboard alternatives including a painted headboard on wall, curtains behind bed, accent walls, and more!

13 No Headboard Ideas To Inspire You

Whether you are short on budget or just like the look of a modern bed without a headboard, be inspired by these unique no headboard ideas featuring headboard alternatives.

1. Oversized art to draw your eye

I wanted to feature this room because the "art piece" looks to be just a plain white canvas that matches the wall. For a lot of spaces, this would feel unfinished and weird, but for this space space, it helps bring the eye up and adds a layer of dimension to the space.

So, what do you do if you have a space that would feel weird with a blank canvas? A lot of spaces could easily incorporate minimalist art and those can be DIY'd yourself.

2. Art grouping

An art grouping or gallery wall above a bed gives a space interest and dimension. This gallery wall is offset which provides even more interest to the space.

The pillow layering on the bed also gives the bed more presence which, in turn, makes you not even realize that there isn't a headboard on the bed.

3. Textural art

Textural art, especially the organic movement of a rattan art piece, naturally creates movement in a room and a sense of fluidity. Again, it's creating interest in movement and dimension on the wall where you often wouldn't see it.

4. Painted headboard on wall

When you want the look of an actual headboard but don't have the budget for that, I love the idea of painting a headboard on the wall. This simple project can be done in an afternoon with just a sample can of paint. Easy peasy upgrade for a bedroom that lacks interest and depth.

5. Bookcase headboard

One of the things I love about traveling in Europe is the "rule breaking" home owners do in regards to how spaces are used. When I think logically, I think that in larger cities we've traveled to, space has been at a minimum, so home owners have to be creative. With that creativity, you get ideas such as using bookcases as a headboard. Would most people call it a bookcase headboard? Probably not, they'd just place the bed in front of the bookcase and go on with their day. No matter what you call it, I do want to point out that you could place a bookcase, or even a folding screen, behind the bed. Be creative because with creativity comes homes that truly reflect us.

6. Shelf above bed to draw the eye

I've seen shelves hanging above beds that hold plants, ones like these that have art and others that have family photos mixed with art. I think a shelf above a bed can be such a fab idea, especially since making simple shelves (or buying them) can be pretty inexpensive.

7. DIY rug headboard

If you are wanting a boho headboard but can't stomach the prices, this headboard is made of out of rugs. Again, it gives textural interest to the wall and helps ground the space, but comes in pretty affordable.

If I was going to try my hand at using a rug as a headboard, I'd totally use a vintage rug and hang it up like you would a tapestry behind the bed. Again, the key is to take these ideas and make them your own.

8. Pattern mixing

If you have a lot going on in a room but behind the bed feels empty, try hanging a large mirror! You can typically find large glass pieces at a local restore and framing glass yourself is really affordable.

9. Board and batten wall

Two small art frames would have looked a bit weird on this wall without the board and batten. Hanging the frames off the board and batten makes them stick off the wall in a way that you don't immediately register as important; but when you look again, it's what is really making this space feel intentional.

10. Curtains behind bed

I adore the use of hanging curtains behind a bed and wish we saw this idea used more. Think about the many different textures, patterns, colors that could be easily brought in with this no headboard idea.

11. Accent wall

Oversized wall art hung low over the bed with the combination of an accent wall treatment makes this room have that cozy factor.

I love the sconces but also think that with bedside lamps on the tables instead, you really wouldn't miss a headboard in this space at all.

12. Bed in front of windows

Why block beautiful windows with a headboard when you can just embrace those windows as interest in your space? The furniture pieces and lamps in this space feel airy making this space feel almost like a sunroom.

This room is a really good example of working with the space that you have in a way that makes sense.

13. Wallpaper accent behind bed

I feel like I've talked quite a bit about adding interest behind your bed, but I did want to point out that you could do that with wallpaper or a mural as well.

I hope you feel inspired to try out this look! No matter what your personal style is, I think you can take these ideas and make them your own.

If you aren't convinced by the no headboard look, then check out my simple fabric DIY headboard tutorial (I made a headboard for under $30) or these ten DIY headboard ideas that I've been inspired by!