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A bedroom redesign doesn’t have to entail expensive furniture swaps or tedious organization rituals. A bed frame refresh is an easy (and much more wallet-friendly) way to make the same big impact. According to Living Cozy, searches for DIY headboard ideas have jumped over the past 12 months to more than 350,000 per year, making it the most popular home project. Whether it’s luxurious velvet upholstery or a full-length mirror, we have a few ideas on how to make the most of your room’s focal point. 

The Paint Job

all white bed with black graphic painted headboard.
Photography by Emily Sudlow

Artist Hannah Polskin is known for her black and white color palette and whimsical shapes, but she had never attempted to paint a mural. Using her bedroom as a trial run, Polskin drew a spiky design that flares out from her bed frame and onto the adjacent walls—no construction needed. 

The Fabric Softener

teal bedroom with teal bed and bedding
Photography by Belle Morizio; Styling by Julia Stevens

Liz Mundle was happy to save money by upgrading her old aluminum bed frame for a fan-favorite Malm frame, but she wasn’t pleased with the big-box retailer look. Inspired by photographer Garance Doré, she embarked on an upholstery project to fully cover the frame in teal velvet. The headboard? Custom plywood waves adorned in the same textile—all for only $120.

The Mirror Image

bed with purple mirror headboard and green striped bedding
Photography by Kevin Miyazaki; Styling by Jennifer Decleene

Ceramist Lalese Stamps turned a full-length mirror on its side for an unconventional take on a headboard. The surface not only reflects light in the tiny studio apartment, but the purple frame is a not-so-surprising complement to her striped sheets (green and violet are both secondary colors). 

The Simple Slipcover

blue bedroom with striped headboard.
Photography by Belle Morizio; Styling by Julia Stevens

Rather than break out the nail gun or paintbrush, Domino associate design editor Kate McGregor opted to test her sewing skills instead. Two yards of heavyweight cotton and 10 minutes later—she didn’t even have to cut the fabric!—McGregor got a custom headboard cover that can be swapped out whenever she’d like for much less than the $1,700 retail price of the Leanne Ford equivalent.

The Cane Accent

black bed frame with cane accents and orange bedding.
Photography by Rebecca Deczynski

Rebecca Deczynski opted to upgrade her Hemnes headboard with a $10 roll of woven cane adhered to the back. It’s easy to secure with a staple gun, and even easier to remove when the next It material comes around.