Why do we feel the need to buy headboards that take up so much space and are often not very good-looking? They aren’t necessary, and you definitely don’t need to spend money on a headboard if you don’t want to. I certainly won’t, and I’m happy with my headboard-less bed.
Headboards used to be important to help regulate room temperatures and protect us from drafts. Nowadays, our homes are made with improved insulation and heating techniques, and headboards have become nothing more than expensive pieces of décor.
Benefits of Not Using a Headboard
Benjamin Franklin said: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” He knew what he was talking about as an early riser himself. I’m sure if he could endorse a bed without a headboard, he would!
Saves Money
Headboards can be extremely costly, and even the most plain-looking ones can be around $100. That’s a lot of money for something you don’t need and won’t do much with.
If you’re on a strict budget or just want to save a bit of money that could go towards making your bedroom more attractive, skip the headboard. You honestly won’t miss it all that much.
Leaves Space For Décor
When there’s no clunky headboard taking up space against the wall, you can beautify your room with special pieces of art where it would have been. I suggest that you choose your favorite color and paint the area.
Uses Less Floor Space
If you’ve got a small bedroom, every inch of it counts. Headboards are one of the space-eaters in your room that you can get rid of, and you won’t feel like you’re losing anything. Your bedroom will be less cramped if you don’t use a headboard.
How to Be Comfy in a Bed Without a Headboard
You may think that since you’re not using a headboard, you won’t be able to chill in your bed, but you’d be wrong. You can be very comfortable, perhaps even more than you would with a headboard, if you get creative with some pillows.
You can use body pillows (many of us appreciate the comfort of these pillows, don’t judge!) or normal large pillows to make a supremely comfortable bed. Simply prop the pillows against the wall, and you can lay back into a luxurious experience.
Awesome Décor Tips
The French-Cuban-American novelist Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell (what a mouthful!) once said ‘Dreams are necessary to life’, and she was right. Dreaming is a way to escape to worlds that are only limited by our imaginations. And sleeping in a beautifully decorated room is quite helpful for falling asleep and having wonderful dreams.
Since you don’t have a headboard, you’ve got an entire area above your bed where you can put your favorite kind of décor.
Here are a few ideas I would suggest to spice up your room, focused on the space that would have been taken up by a headboard:
Paint Your Wall
The area that would have been stolen by a headboard makes the perfect place for a fresh layer of paint. You can make the area your room’s focal point without putting in lots of effort.
Choose your favorite color and start painting! You can even paint an image of your favorite movie character or that place you’ve been dreaming of visiting (Paris, anyone?).
Hang a Lovely Painting
If you’re like me and aren’t much of a painter or don’t have any artistic skills, just hang up your favorite painting or piece of artwork. If you don’t have any paintings, head to your nearest art gallery or flea market and find something that matches your personality.
Slap on Some Wallpaper
Creative and colorful wallpaper can take your room from bland to fabulous almost instantly. I’d suggest choosing wallpaper that contrasts the rest of your room for that extra ‘pop’!
Display Your Collectibles
Do you have collectibles that you’re really proud of? A collection of figures from your favorite comic books? Or maybe a lightsaber? Hang it above your bed and show off a bit!
Put Up a Macrame
A macrame would make a fantastic addition to any room, and you can hang one in your favorite color to frame your bed. You’ll give your room a nice Bohemian feel, and who isn’t down for that?
Put Up a Shelf
Shelves are always nice additions to rooms, no matter where you put them. You can put up a thin shelf above your bed for artwork or plants and give your room a visual makeover.
Hang Some Greenery
If you love plants as much as I do, you’d take any excuse to add them to your room. That space that would have been used by a headboard will be great for some greenery. There are many options to choose from, from artificial leaves and flowers to a living wall with real plants to brighten up your room!
Enjoy Your View
Are you lucky enough to have a wide-open window? Put your bed there and enjoy a view every time you sit down on your bed. What could be better than watching the stars or enjoying the rain right in the comfort of your bed?
You Don’t Need a Headboard to Sleep Well
As you can see, you don’t need a headboard for your bed. It won’t help you sleep better and doesn’t do much for décor. Without a headboard, though, you can make your bedroom a unique and comfortable space that you’ll love to unwind in after a long day of work and modern-day stress.
Related: Is It Okay to Not Have a Bed and Just Put My Mattress on the Floor? Why Do People Buy Beds Anyway? | Headboard Alternatives
