One Wall Trend Is The Ultimate Classy Alternative To A Headboard

Way back in the heyday of the Ancient Egyptians, headboards were a status symbol, a sign of wealth and opulence. They hung on over the years for more utilitarian reasons — to protect the wall behind the bed, and provide another barrier between the crown of sleeping heads and the cold exterior wall. Even as the structure and insulation of homes improved, headboards remained a fixture of what constituted a finished bedroom. However, as this furniture piece has reverted back to its original, design-driven purpose, it has become quite dispensable. In fact, of late, modern designers and home décor masters have been snubbing the headboard trend altogether and turning to other options to bring personality and luxury to our most intimate spaces. Namely, they've been taking the supersized headboard bedroom trend to another level — using the whole wall. By creating a pattern out of moulding and painting it to match the room, they're creating a luxe, trendy, headboard alternative. 

The reality is that headboards aren't really necessary. Not only do they take up additional space that can be precious in tight quarters, but they are also heavy and sometimes expensive. What's more, some headboards actually move around against the wall, rendering the protection element a moot point. And really, are our pillows doing that much damage to the wall? By shifting attention to the wall behind the bed, we're creating a design feature that not only supports the whole room (instead of just the bed), but it also gives us a whole new world of customization options.

Not only can we focus on creating an accent wall that speaks to the style of the rest of the house, we can do so on a whim — without taking out a loan to buy new bedroom furniture every time our tastes change. Falling in love with the idea of embracing the dark, moody paint color trend in your sleeping sanctuary? Go fearlessly forth and do a deep emerald green elevated by vertically mounted, floor to ceiling moulding. 

A more contemporary vibe will be easy to achieve with a sleek and simple grid pattern. Hang small mirrors in each of the squares to bounce the light around and add a bit of shine. Trade out the mirrors for several pieces of themed artwork, or add some funky side lights to your squares to curate an eclectic feel. Or, give your space a modern spin with a midnight blue color on the walls and gold trim pieces. 

Adding the moulding at various angles to create a variety of geometric shapes is a perfect backdrop for a glamorous, art-deco style bedroom; paint some of the sections different colors to unabashedly bring the aesthetic home. Bright, playful hues would bring energy to kids' rooms, while pairing Pantone's color of the year for 2025 — chocolate mousse — with varying shades of cream would utterly transform the feel to cozy and serene. Of course, the shape and color of the moulding is not the only way to pull off this trend.

Instead of creating a basic or geometric pattern with your moulding, go all in. Lay out a starburst design, for instance. Or, stack layers of the narrow wood pieces in varying lengths along one side of the wall behind your bed. Skip the paint and let the natural wood color complement the color palette in the rest of the room. For aesthetes (passionate lovers of art and beautiful things) creating a massive frame from ornate crown moulding would set a stunning backdrop for an oversized art piece. Perhaps add a sculptural piece like a smooth, interestingly-shaped tree branch, or a special textile piece inside the frame to DIY some wall décor. A less obtrusive option would be to hack high-end art on a budget with a wallpaper mural DIY. 

Ultimately, your bedroom is your inner sanctum. When you walk through the door, it should give you a sense of peace and calm. But it should also feel like your version of absolute luxury — because you deserve that. And your headboard alternative should laud that truth.