Bedheads on a Budget
If you'd love a beautiful bedhead but think you can't afford it, think again – the possibilities are endless with these cost-cutting tips
Don’t let a lack of funds hold you back if your bedroom is in need of an overhaul. You can spend a lot or a little on the bedhead of your dreams, depending on how much of the work you’re willing or able to do yourself. One thing’s for sure, these bedheads have pulling power and they’re an easy way to give your bedroom some instant personality.
If you can’t have a hot pink peacock-inspired bedhead when you’re a child, when can you? I say go for it, no matter how old you are.
CUT THE COST: There’s no need to purchase a brand new bed if you don’t have a bedhead or want to change the one you have. Buying a stand-alone bedhead is a far less expensive option than buying one that’s incorporated into the bed frame, especially if your existing bed is one that will fade into the background in the presence of bedhead grandeur. If your current bed has a built-in bedhead, removing it might be easier than you think, even if it involves a jigsaw or hacksaw!
Queen Peacock bedhead
CUT THE COST: There’s no need to purchase a brand new bed if you don’t have a bedhead or want to change the one you have. Buying a stand-alone bedhead is a far less expensive option than buying one that’s incorporated into the bed frame, especially if your existing bed is one that will fade into the background in the presence of bedhead grandeur. If your current bed has a built-in bedhead, removing it might be easier than you think, even if it involves a jigsaw or hacksaw!
Queen Peacock bedhead
An upholstered bedhead like this one will take your teen into the cool zone. Industrial-style decor is always a winner when it comes to teenage boys – it feels grown up but is still fun thanks to the bright splashes of orange. Keep the rest of the room neutral to allow the bed to shine.
CUT THE COST: Either do it yourself with plywood, foam, fabric and upholstery thread, or leave it to the experts if you’re short on time. If you do want to outsource it, supply the fabric yourself to minimise the expense.
CUT THE COST: Either do it yourself with plywood, foam, fabric and upholstery thread, or leave it to the experts if you’re short on time. If you do want to outsource it, supply the fabric yourself to minimise the expense.
Pressed tin is a great way flair to add flair to a country-style or eclectic bedroom – having it made a little wider than your bed will frame it nicely. Ordering it in white means you can pair it with any colour bedlinen you like, but silver could be worth considering if you like dark grey or black bedding and favour a dark and moody room over one that’s light and bright.
CUT THE COST: A bedhead like this is an easy DIY weekend project. Pressed tin panels can be bought pre-primed; then it’s just a matter of securing to the wall and painting a couple of coats of glossy enamel paint. Using plugs and screws, secure timber battens to the wall behind your bed, then nail the pressed tin panels into place. Easy!
Pressed tin in ‘Magnolia’: Heritage Ceilings
CUT THE COST: A bedhead like this is an easy DIY weekend project. Pressed tin panels can be bought pre-primed; then it’s just a matter of securing to the wall and painting a couple of coats of glossy enamel paint. Using plugs and screws, secure timber battens to the wall behind your bed, then nail the pressed tin panels into place. Easy!
Pressed tin in ‘Magnolia’: Heritage Ceilings
So chic! So masculine! And what a way to separate a dressing room from the main bedroom.
CUT THE COST: This architect-designed space may be stunning, but there’s no reason you can’t achieve a similar look at your house. Put your carpentry skills to work to build a wall (think timber frame and plasterboard or plywood) and cover it with overlapping fabric. A deconstructed doona cover might just do the trick!
See more of this house
CUT THE COST: This architect-designed space may be stunning, but there’s no reason you can’t achieve a similar look at your house. Put your carpentry skills to work to build a wall (think timber frame and plasterboard or plywood) and cover it with overlapping fabric. A deconstructed doona cover might just do the trick!
See more of this house
Grey is the perfect backdrop for a bold colour. In fact, the rest of the room can be deliciously neutral with an eye-catching red and white bedhead.
CUT THE COST: Make sure the bedhead cover is removable for washing, or you might find yourself with unexpected cleaning costs.
Walls painted in ‘Strap’: Dulux; bedlinen: Abode Living
CUT THE COST: Make sure the bedhead cover is removable for washing, or you might find yourself with unexpected cleaning costs.
Walls painted in ‘Strap’: Dulux; bedlinen: Abode Living
When you have a bedhead as beautiful as this one, white bedlinen is the only way to go – the sapphire blue cushions enhance rather than take away from the bedhead as a focal point.
CUT THE COST: This bedhead has been custom upholstered in line with the traditional look of the rest of the house. Unless you’re a whiz on the sewing machine, best leave a tailored look like this one to the professionals.
If you’re spending up big on the bedhead, don’t despair – there are still savings to be made. Think of your bedroom as a whole, rather than in terms of individual pieces. Could you buy your bedside tables second-hand, make your own cushions or rethink those designer sheets you had your eye on? As long as they feel good against your skin, sheets don’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. If you can save money on the other elements of the room, a standout custom-made bedhead like this one suddenly feels far more achievable.
CUT THE COST: This bedhead has been custom upholstered in line with the traditional look of the rest of the house. Unless you’re a whiz on the sewing machine, best leave a tailored look like this one to the professionals.
If you’re spending up big on the bedhead, don’t despair – there are still savings to be made. Think of your bedroom as a whole, rather than in terms of individual pieces. Could you buy your bedside tables second-hand, make your own cushions or rethink those designer sheets you had your eye on? As long as they feel good against your skin, sheets don’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. If you can save money on the other elements of the room, a standout custom-made bedhead like this one suddenly feels far more achievable.
Get your macramé on with this delightful bedhead. Choose some macramé cord in your favourite colour, preferably one that contrasts nicely with the wall, and get knotting. Black cord on a white wall with coordinated bedding would be a winning combination.
CUT THE COST: No need to blow the budget on expensive cord at a craft shop – scour your local hardware store for rope or cord for a fraction of the cost.
Learn how to master this bedhead
CUT THE COST: No need to blow the budget on expensive cord at a craft shop – scour your local hardware store for rope or cord for a fraction of the cost.
Learn how to master this bedhead
If you like your bedroom to be on the dreamy side, a whimsical bedhead is the only way to go. Just because it isn’t colourful doesn’t mean it can’t be eye catching. Choosing one that’s oversized, like this one, can have just as much impact.
CUT THE COST: There’s no need to spend up big to make a dramatic statement with your bedhead. This one, from Ikea, was painted white and paired with vintage accessories for an eclectic look that’s one of a kind.
CUT THE COST: There’s no need to spend up big to make a dramatic statement with your bedhead. This one, from Ikea, was painted white and paired with vintage accessories for an eclectic look that’s one of a kind.
A vintage Japanese screen steals the spotlight in this room; it frames the bed beautifully. This one helps set the bed out from the wall. Slanted ceilings can make bed placement tricky, especially if you don’t want to bump your head when you get up in the morning!
CUT THE COST: Why not scour antique shops to find a screen of your own? Let the store owners know what you’re looking for, and they’re sure to be able to track one down in the fulness of time. The best things in life are worth waiting for, after all.
YOUR SAY
Have you created an eye-catching bedhead? Tell us about it and share an image in the Comments.
MORE
How to Make Your Bedhead Work Harder
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: 13 Creative DIY Bedheads
The Burning Bedhead Question: To Blend in or Stand Out?
CUT THE COST: Why not scour antique shops to find a screen of your own? Let the store owners know what you’re looking for, and they’re sure to be able to track one down in the fulness of time. The best things in life are worth waiting for, after all.
YOUR SAY
Have you created an eye-catching bedhead? Tell us about it and share an image in the Comments.
MORE
How to Make Your Bedhead Work Harder
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: 13 Creative DIY Bedheads
The Burning Bedhead Question: To Blend in or Stand Out?
CUT THE COST: If you’re on a tight budget, consider buying the fabric and making such a bedhead yourself. A length of MDF cut to size, covered in a layer of foam, and in your favourite fabric will do it.
Bedhead fabric: Missoni