One of our readers, Lauri, wrote in and asked:

“Do you have any unusual ideas for “King” size headboards, other than just the traditional ones the stores offer? Thanks! I just recently discovered your website and I LOVE it!”

Thank you, Lauri, for asking a great question.  I am happy to help you come up with some unique solutions to your dilemma.  Our vendors offer a lot of lovely headboards, but I think it’s great that you want to try something fun and unusual.  First of all, let’s think about the function of the headboard.  While exploring your options, keep a couple of things in mind:  Headboards provide support when sitting up in bed as well as a nice decorative touch to balance out your room.  With that in mind, here are some fun choices.

Paint or Paper - A simple trick that you see a lot in show houses and magazines is to paint or wallpaper something directly onto your wall. Here is a post a while ago about wall decals.  The options are unlimited and it’s an inexpensive way to go. A large photo of a flower has big impact!

Found Objects - You can use virtually anything you can find at a flea market or antique shop.  Don’t worry about it being exactly the right width, though wider is better than smaller.  An old door on its side, a beautiful screen, or even a surfboard makes some surprising and fun headboards.

Artwork - Sometimes you don’t need a headboard at all.  A nice collection of well-framed artwork against a dramatic wall color is a showcase in itself.  Just make sure you hang it high enough so that you are not leaning against it. 

Shop for Paint, Artwork, Wall Decals and Room Screens in My Secret Database!

Room Screens can serve a variety of purposes; from breaking up large open spaces to providing a small private nook for meditation.  They can stealthily cover up an unwanted view or hide a storage area.  In honor of the versatile screen, let’s take a look at some creative options depending on what your budget (or lack there of) will allow.

A Steal

Necessity is the mother of invention.  This is an idea that I have used in my own home.  My husband, Tim, and I had picked up some rolled bamboo fencing at Home Depot to install in our Asian-inspired garden.  We bought more than we needed and had one piece leftover.  We are lucky enough to have a panoramic view of the canal in our backyard from our living and dining rooms, but on one side we have seasonal neighbors who have dogs that like to bark every time they see our dog Emma in the window.  Solution?  The screen.  I just leaned it up against the window.  Problem solved! 

Split Bamboo Fencing 58″ x 13′ by Gardener’s Supply Company $49.95

A Deal

This beautiful bamboo screen from Gaiam is eco-friendly and made from pesticide free bamboo.  It is pliable, so you can form it into whatever shape works for your space.  It has the soothing feeling of a gentle wave.  I buy lots of yoga products and home products from Gaiam.  They are in My Secret Database.

Bamboo Screen 8′W x 6′H by Gaiam $269.00

Completely Surreal

Now, interior design would not be much fun if we did not indulge, or in this case overindulge, in some beautiful but pricey items.  I found this gorgeous 1959 Italian screen on 1st Dibs.  It is being sold through an antique dealer in London and is made from pallisander wood.  This is a very hard reddish brown to dark violet wood species with dark or black stripes.  It is more common in Europe than the states.  Lovely as it is, a new car sounds nice too.

Pallisander Screen by Ico Parisi 8′x6′ offered by 1st Dibs $36,000