A decal is one budget-friendly way to add style to the head of your bed. Rate My Space contributor dodi used the decal as inspiration for the room's design.

Designer Kara Paslay made this headboard from a thin piece of stained luan for this small bedroom. She adorned the luan with spray-painted painter's tape in a geometric motif. The look is great for dorm rooms or guest bedrooms.

A do-it-yourself headboard is the best way to get a one-of-a-kind look without the cost. Designer Maureen Toribio used some wood, chalkboard paint, primer and a handmade stencil to create this whimsical headboard. The silhouette adds a youthful touch and the chalkboard allows for fun and creativity. Silhouette image courtesy of Susie Harrington of Petite Prints.

Rate My Space contributor fleamarkettrixie loves to reuse items she has around the house. She used old closet doors and a settee to make this truly vintage headboard.

A great, simple way to personalize a standard white headboard is by using vintage textiles. In this bedroom, designer Jennifer Jones used a kilim rug down the center of the headboard to add pattern and to reference the client's love of travel.

When choosing a headboard, pick one bright color as your inspiration. Rate My Space contributor sford used yellow, black and white pieces of fabric and old frames to create a fun, dramatic effect in her bedroom.

Hanging artwork behind the bed is an elegant alternative to getting an expensive headboard. Designer Andreas Charalambous adds the artwork as the sole source of color in this bedroom.

A headboard doesn't have to span the entire width of the bed. Designer Melaine Thompson painted an old round frame to match the four-poster bed then painted a piece of wood with chalkboard paint. This budget-friendly headboard allows the mind to be creative by being able to write different messages.

Designer Nicole Potter uses a two-tone, oversize plywood headboard as an inexpensive way to create warmth and drama in this room. The darker wood frames the headboard giving it a defined look. The recessed light creates a calming effect.

Give an ordinary headboard an extra flair with a little wallpaper, paint and glaze. Designer Kara Paslay used a roll of paintable wallpaper along with hanging wall decor to create this unique, inexpensive look.

Rate My Space contributor Tendenza Fl was on a small budget when designing this Hollywood-style guest bedroom. To save money, she chose to skip out on buying a headboard. However, she was able to add this glamorous design with some painter's tape and a bold paint color.

Old picture frames and salvaged lumber were turned into a personalized headboard for a little girl's bedroom. "Sweet dreams" was spelled out and each letter was embellished with flowers. Create your own personalized message or spell out your child's name.

This vintage-chic headboard was made from an old fireplace mantel with a tufted upholstered insert.

This rustic-chic headboard was made from an old picket fence. The pickets were cut up into small pieces, cleaned and then refinished in a few different stains. Then the pieces were fitted into a frame made from more weathered lumber.

This industrial-style headboard is made out of PVC pipes that were painted silver. Twine was strung between the pipes, then clothespins were added to display vintage postcards. The next photo shows another version of this same headboard.

PVC pipes painted silver make this bed frame look like metal. A piece of a boat sail is stretched across the frame thanks to the addition of grommets and rope.

The slatted headboard on this platform bed leans back just enough to make it very easy to sit up and read or watch TV in bed.

We modeled this headboard from one we saw in a popular home-decor catalog. It is very simple to build — standard-size lumber is fastened to a large piece of plywood, then the whole piece is painted white.

Create a dramatic focal point by bringing your headboard up to the ceiling.

Salvaged planks are lined up to make a headboard with a family photo mounted in the center. The photo can easily be swapped out to match decor changes.

This wooden headboard was made using basic tongue-and-groove construction. We distressed it, then gave it a weathered barn-wood finish, but it could be painted or stained any color.

To make this pretty girls' bed, an old thrift store headboard was painted white. Then branches were also painted white and attached to the headboard. The branches were then adorned with pretty birds, ribbons and glitter.

Holiday lights are used to create a built-in night-light in a little boy's bedroom. Glow-in-the-dark stars accompany the moonlight for some extra sparkle.

Kids often have a hard time parting with their favorite T-shirts even after they've outgrown them. Use old T-shirts, sport jerseys or old blankets to create a collage of color over your child's bed.

An old wood headboard is draped with an inexpensive canvas drop cloth. The drop cloth is held on by ribbons tied at each side. To give the slipcover a shabby-chic look, we placed a piece of old handcrafted crewelwork in the center of the drop cloth.

Colorful duct tape is wrapped around a big piece of cardboard to make this racy kids' headboard. This is an inexpensive and easy project to make with your kids. No power tools are required, and kids can use their creativity to the fullest.

A headboard made from salvaged materials can add tons of charm and unique style to a bedroom. In this space, an old door found in a burn pile was paired with a vintage gate — reclaimed from a dump and brightened up with a mist of white spray paint. The end result is a whimsical, one-of-a-kind headboard with enough substance to balance the king-size bed. Design by Funky Junk Interiors

Who knew metal roofing could be so stylish? Designer Kara Paslay created a rustic yet glamorous headboard by cutting an ornate shape out of corrugated tin, bringing out its subtle sheen and wavy texture. The silhouette may be traditional, but this headboard is anything but ordinary. Best of all, this DIY project only cost about $30.

In this airy bedroom, a headboard made from a pair of reclaimed doors adds visual weight and a hint of ruggedness to an otherwise dreamy space. The weathered doors retain just enough white paint to complement the room's crisp bedding and sparkling chandelier. Design by Dreamy Whites

After a thorough scrub and a bit of paint to touch up the faded lettering, this reclaimed convenience store sign looks as good as new and makes an eye-catching backdrop for a daybed. Not only does the vintage sign provide a theme and color palette for the room, but its historic significance also makes it an exciting conversation piece. Design by Funky Junk Interiors

A hand-carved Indian Rosewood screen purchased at a flea market adds texture and an ethnic touch to this bedroom. The perfect width for a king-size bed, the four-panel screen was installed directly against the wall above the baseboard to save space. Photo courtesy of Adeeni Design Group

Sometimes, an unexpected headboard can be just what a bedroom needs. In this modern loft bedroom, a slab of roughhewn wood adds a natural touch and warms up the industrial-looking space. Design by Daniel Bodenmiller

To make the bed the focal point in a small studio apartment, HGTV fan 4oclock created a striking headboard by securing 1-1/2-inch MDF pieces to two strips of iron. A headboard that extends all the way to the ceiling creates visual interest and defines the space.

Shutter headboards are a perfect fit for a beach house or cottage-style bedroom. To give new, unfinished shutters a weathered look, paint them with a "dry brushing" technique, then sand the outside edges and the front edge of the louvers.

Echoing the navy-and-white stripes painted in the closet, a headboard made from wooden shipping pallets is a standout feature in this nautical-themed boy's bedroom. To create a coordinated look, designer Lakeitha Duncan paired the pallets with two wooden nightstands in a natural finish.

Who would guess that this modish headboard was once a barn door window? The window was first fashioned into a mirror, which designer Jessica McKay of Birdhouse Interiors frosted to reduce distracting reflections. With a modular look and monochromatic color scheme, this formerly rustic window now makes a distinctive, modern headboard.

This bright headboard, featured on Cousins on Call, is an old wooden mantel that was found in the home during construction. After some sanding and a fresh coat of paint, the mantel acts as a statement piece in the bedroom.

If you have an old wood ladder sitting in your garage, repurpose it as a funky headboard simply with a coat of paint. The vibrant green ladder creates a beautiful contrast against the cherry red walls in this masculine bedroom. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Make the bed a focal point by creating a wall-length headboard that features favorite decorative accessories. Punches of bold pinks and greens are toned down with black furnishings, creating a sophisticated, yet fun, bedroom retreat.

Create dramatic vertical impact by taking the headboard to the ceiling. Designer Ann Grasso uses the two-toned headboard to help distinguish the sleeping area from the sitting area.

Headboards can still make an impact in a monochromatic color scheme. Find one with a mixture of textures and finishes to add interest. Here, designer Baylor Anne Bone used an elegant wooden screen with a metallic sheen.

Try a twist on the traditional upholstered headboard. Instead of the tufted approach, designer Ann Wisniewski creates a grid of squares covered in tan fabric for the head of this bed.

A wall of shelving not only acts as a sleek headboard, but it also maximizes the storage in this bedroom. Design by Elizabeth Brownrigg.

Add a splash of color to a muted or white bedroom with a favorite painting hung over the bed. Be sure to hang it high enough so the pillows won't rest against the canvas. Design by Andreas Charalambous.

For a unique headboard, find a favorite fabric in three shades. Attach batting to three different-sized pieces of plywood then wrap each piece in one of the fabrics. Design by Kim Myles.

Extend the headboard with a fabric canopy for a truly dramatic impact. Designer Kim Myles used a neutral striped fabric with an accent panel of metallic red to contrast with the blue walls.

An inexpensive option for a headboard is to define the space with framed pieces of artwork. Designer Kenneth Brown used two small pieces of art above the bed and flanked the bed with two display cabinets.

A wooden headboard adds style, luxury and comfort to any bedroom, but at a hefty price. Designer Ana White of Ana-White.com shares a simple way to create a bold, rustic headboard that any beginner woodworker can accomplish.

A headboard can be the statement piece in a bedroom. Create an over-the-top upholstered headboard using glue, staples and basic sewing skills. Janell Beals of Isabella & Max Rooms extends this upholstered headboard to the ceiling to add height to the room.

If you have an outdated, battered headboard, simply cover it up. Holly Mathis of Holly Mathis Interiors made an easy slipcover with minimal sewing. The best part? It's easy to replace as you change your bedroom's design style.

Give your headboard a custom look at a low price using canvas board. Designer Dan Faires took standard canvas board and embellished it with nail head trim. This no-sew project has the same look as an upholstered designer headboard.

This shutter headboard is sure to impress your guests. With a little bit of paint, Layla Palmer of The Lettered Cottage was able to transform these unfinished shutters into an inviting headboard. Make them your own by painting stenciled designs or adding embellishments.

This headboard is so easy to make it doesn't need instructions. Designer Vanessa De Vargas placed a stark white decal to contrast with the bold pink wall in this playful dorm room. The decal's pattern is carried through to the geometric bed pillows for a cohesive look.