Do you want a beautiful bed without paying a fortune? These 6 creative ideas will show you how it can be done.
Elshire Primary Suite
Years ago, Restoration Hardware carried a stately tall bedframe that was just what I wanted but was out of my price range. After searching online I found a similar black frame from Costco that I liked just as well for a quarter of the price.
When we moved to our Iowa home the tall backboard infringed on the narrow horizontal window. This type of window is popular in new construction but does not make sense because most people prefer blackout covering for late sleeping or at the very least window coverings they can open and close. My solution was to blend the black headboard with the window by purchasing a black woven wood shade from Blinds.com. Now, when I walk into the room my eye is not immediately drawn to the fact the bed encroaches onto the window.
I already had the down comforter and sham inserts from a previous home, thus I just need a duvet and sham covers which I found at Target for a reasonable price. These covers were only sold online, but I knew if I did not like them they could be returned to the store and I would not incur return shipping charges, always a must for me when buying online.
No one likes to make a bed in the morning, but in the evening everyone likes to crawl into a made bed. This is how I make the task as simple as possible ….
Step 1. Lay 2 sleeping pillows flat
Step 2. Lean the 3 European shams on top
Step 3. Place the 2 king shams in front
Step 4. Finish with a small pillow.
The 3 grey European quilted sham covers were from Target and even though they were not part of the set the color and fabric were just the contrast I wanted. The simple small pillow came from Home Goods.
Guest Bedroom with Ships
When my husband, Daryl, had a temporary apartment a few years back he needed a bed, so I purchased an online gel memory foam mattress which comes in a very heavy box and expands when opened. I also purchased a steel frame online. The inexpensive faux leather headboard with decorative silver upholstery tacks was found at At Home. When we moved to Elshire I repurposed the bed to our guest room.
For the bedding, I chose a simple inexpensive grey duvet for the comforter I already owned. The quilted sham covers came from Target and the accent pillows from Home Goods.
The comforter did not cover the end of the bed and with no footboard, the mattress was visible so I hid it with a diamond-patterned throw purchased at Home Goods.
Making the bed is quick and easy…….
Step 1. The sleeping pillows are stacked vertically
Step 2. The shams are placed in front
Step 3. The 2 decorative pillows with wood buttons finish the bed
To top the look off I hung vintage ship pictures that I had modernized with spray paint. (see: 4 Before and After Amazing Transformations, Anyone Can Do!)
A gel foam mattress in a box placed on a steel frame is super economical and very comfortable, but I dislike seeing the metal frame, so I like to add a bed skirt. However, anything crooked drives me nuts (just ask my family) and bed skirts always seem to be messy and never straight.
My solution was to adhere the skirt to the frame using velcro made specifically for fabric that I purchased at Home Depot.
I first took the 2-foot strips and velcroed them together. I then cut 2” strips and adhered the rough side to the top of the metal frame. Next, I started in the middle and peeled the back off the strip. Once I lined the skirt up for the correct length I pressed the fabric onto the sticky back of the soft side. I worked my way in this fashion to each corner and then along each side.
The fabric in the middle of the bed did not lay flat, but it did not matter.
Now the bed skirt always looks neat and straight.
Sam’s Fly Fishing Bedroom
Headboards do not have to be expensive. In my son’s, Sam, room I used a large framed vintage canvas with a little family history. Years ago I ordered the canvas online after giving 13 year old Sam three choices to pick from. My husband, Daryl, made the frame from old wood siding salvaged from a 80+ year old shed on his father’s farm.
Leaving the original nail holes added to the character and the chipped red paint picked up perfectly with the red vest on the fly fisherman. Plus, Sam has a little piece of his grandparent’s North Dakota farm.
For the bed I once again ordered a gel foam mattress with a steel frame. The bedding from a previous home’s guest room is a down comforter covered with an inexpensive duvet. It is king size, even though the bed is only a queen. The extra large size helps cover the the mattress, but the steel frame still showed, so I once again used velcro to attach a bedskirt.
Making the bed is easy peasy with these steps….
Step 1. Lean the sleeping pillows against the wall
Step 2. Follow with the matching shams
Step 3. Finish with the decorative pillows purchased at Home Goods
Kate’s Teenage Bedroom
The bed in Kate’s room is Daryl and I’s from our first house in Texas over 25 years ago. When it was in our Georgia primary bedroom, I had a bed skirt velcroed inside the wood frame. My first time using velcro for a straight skirt.
In Kate’s room, I decided a bed skirt was not needed. Instead, I chose a simple white embroidered comforter purchased at “Home Goods”. Not finding the shams I wanted I chose to try my hand sewing a pair. It was not hard and the blue stripes were a nice break from all the white, plus they coordinated nicely with the accent pillow from Target. At the base of the bed is a blue afghan which was a gift knitted by my sister, Christie.
The blue color coordinated with the framed drawings purchased in Seattle when on a college tour many years ago – a fun memory. With the exception of the inexpensive comforter set the entire bed was re-purposed from previous homes.
This bed too was very easy to make in the morning. That is unless you are a teenager.
Step 1. The sleeping pillows are leaned against the headboard
Step 2. The striped European shams follow
Step 3. Next are the shams matching the comforter
Step 4. The final finish is an accent pillow
Lake Cabin Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom at the lake cabin (see Lake Cabin – Beds and Baths) was so small I had to keep the palette very neutral or the room would be easily overtaken. I wanted a vintage wrought iron bed but realized all the “vintage” beds are full size and we had to have a queen. So I settled for a simple box spring and mattress. (This was before I discovered a bed in a box)
The inexpensive duvet was a bright white and was purchased online. The grey shams came from Target and the soft grey chenille throw from Home Goods. I sewed the grommet curtains as I could not find the right size in the simple white desired. The pictures are black and white photos I had taken of interesting tree roots and the frames were constructed and distressed by me. The nightstands and lamps were re-purposed from a previous home and the end of the bed bench was built with old dock pieces on hand. Overall, not an expensive room, and the bed was easy to make!
Lake Cabin Guest Bedroom
My last bed was the least expensive of all. The bedframe in the guest room came with the cabin and was the star of the room. (see Lake Cabin – Beds and Baths) It also came with a mattress and box springs. The quilt was handmade by my mother-in-law, Vonnie, and fit the cabin vibe. The quilted denim shams were purchased at Target, and no throw or accent pillow was needed with the busy checkered quilt. The sheets were white along with the soft blanket, however, the box springs stood out like a sore thumb. I solved the problem by covering them with a sold blue fitted sheet made for a deep mattress, thus tying in with the denim on top. Like the other cabin bedroom, a very inexpensive bed and is super easy to make.
As you have seen, you can have a beautiful bed without costing a fortune. Many of my items have been re-purposed from home to home, so I could not produce product links, but the internet is a great source with a little digging. Plus, periodic trips to Home Goods, Target, or At Home reap lots of money-saving finds. Remember most of my items from Target are not in stores, but online only.
Which of these shown is your favorite beautiful bed? And, have you done something creative and inexpensive that you are willing to share? If so, tell us about it in the comments below.
Meanwhile, here’s to sleeping tight and having lovely dreams in a beautiful bed!
Each bed is so unique with the bedding. Thanks for sharing. I like the frame that Daryl made from wood from our farm and the quilt Mom made. ❤️
I love those too. Sam wants the framed canvas when he has his own home. And, of course, the quilt too. 🙂
Cheryl, you have such a beautiful and pragmatic way of decorating! I need you closer to me, and Ron would be forever grateful! He thinks your more talented than Martha and Joanne combined!
Cher – I am inspired…I think I’ll go make my bed! – Christie
As well you should! 🙂