What Meegan Makes

vintage style, cottage living, home cooking

  • Home
  • Contact for Collaborations
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosure
  • Furniture Makeovers
  • 10 DIY Seasonal Banners
  • 15 Creative Spring Crafts

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

August 21, 2014 By Meegan 15 Comments

How has your week been going?  Mine?  Well, it could be a LITTLE better, but overall, I would say I am very blessed.  I am happy to be here with you today.  I KNOW you will love my idea to Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard.  It has been of the BEST projects I have done in a long time.  AND I am sharing it with YOU today.

I have been searching and searching for a “mantel” or large shelf for about 2 years.  I REALLY wanted to use it as a headboard.

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

I am part of a “garage sale” facebook group in my area.  I browse through everyday looking for something I might be able to refinish, paint, or redesign.  I came upon a woman who was selling 4 large shelves.  I jumped at the chance and bought one as soon as I could.

Come to find out, my new queen size bed is 5 ft across.  AND the shelf I bought was also the same length.

Use a Mantel or Large Shelf in Place of a Headboard

It’s the ideal size to hang at the head of our bed.

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

Before I, (I mean Hubby) hung it up for me.  I brushed a white stain on it.  I used Martha Stewart “Wedding Cake White Stain” from Plaid Crafts.

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

I allowed it to completely dry between each coat.  I did three coats altogether.

OH!  Did I mention that my new shelf was NOT wood?  Can you even tell?  There are lots of craftsmen that live here in the Vegas area. They design and make faux shelves, facades, baseboard, crown molding, etc… out of a type of foam for local hotels. When a hotel redesigns a room, the craftsmen and/or others come in to take down the old faux facades.  That is exactly what this shelf is.  NOT even wood but foam.

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

Once my shelf/mantel was hung, it was time to “play” with accessories.  (My fave part)

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

Can I just say how much I love the idea to Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard?

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

It completes our bedroom.

Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard

I still have one more idea to finish our room off.  And then I can share the WHOLE bedroom makeover with you.  Woot woot!

Use a Mantel or Large Shelf in Place of a Headboard

What do you think? Will you Use a Large Shelf or Mantel in Place of a Headboard?

I hope you have been inspired as you visit today.  It has been my pleasure to have you here.

 

Filed Under: bedroom, Home, Paint, thrifting Tagged With: bedroom, DIY, home, paint, shelves, Thrifting

Comments

  1. Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says

    August 22, 2014 at 12:39 PM

    How lucky to find this the exact length of your bed?! And, I cannot believe this is foam…looks so real! Great project!

    Reply
  2. Lynn says

    August 23, 2014 at 3:42 AM

    Your new headboard looks great! I also have a mantle as a headboard. Mine is made from all wood, so it was probably harder to hang than yours

    Reply
  3. amber.m says

    August 25, 2014 at 4:39 AM

    Oh my goodness, that is such a good idea! I love it!

    Reply
  4. Marie says

    August 25, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    What a great idea, this looks fantastic and is such a fun alternative!

    Reply
  5. Shirley ~Light Love Hope says

    August 25, 2014 at 9:00 AM

    What a wonderful idea! I really like this, and you did a fabulous job with it! I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing this a few years back when I had a bed without a headboard. It did look empty not having anything, so this would have been perfect.

    Blessings,
    Shirley

    Reply
  6. Michelle @ Elegance & Enchantment says

    August 25, 2014 at 12:49 PM

    Hi Meegan! Love this project! I’m always on the lookout for good headboard ideas for our guest room. Thanks for sharing. :)

    Reply
  7. Kathe says

    August 25, 2014 at 1:56 PM

    OMG! Totally what I am looking for for the guest bedroom! I love it Meegan! I will now be stalking our local area garage sale FB group!!

    Reply
  8. Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) says

    August 27, 2014 at 6:44 AM

    I adore the idea of a mantle instead of a headboard – and your white stain looks wonderful. Until about 2 years ago, my husband and I didn’t have a headboard (after getting rid of an old bed many years before). I wish I had see this back then!

    Reply
  9. WendysHat says

    August 27, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    This turned out perfect for that space! I love it!

    Reply
  10. Alli says

    August 28, 2014 at 3:00 AM

    It looks so real! I would have never thought that it was faux wood. What a great idea to use a mantel in place of a traditional headboard.

    Reply
  11. Andie Thueson says

    August 29, 2014 at 10:46 AM

    What a fun and clever idea! I love it!

    Reply
  12. Abbie from Lovin' Our Chaos says

    August 30, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    What a brilliant idea! And you can find mantel shelves at JoAnns or Michaels even!

    Reply
  13. kathy says

    May 29, 2015 at 12:06 PM

    I have been looking also to use a shelf or mantel but for two twins that will be in a guest room. My concern is what size to buy. The twins are 39″ wide I believe and I wasn’t sure if I should get 30″ or 36″. Being you used a mantel the size of the width of your bed, I’m wondering if the 36″ will be big enough. do you have an opinion?

    Reply
    • Meegan says

      May 30, 2015 at 12:08 PM

      I would buy the 36″ for a full effect. I am excited for you. I would love to see it when it is done. Please send me a picture :)

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 10 Unique Headboard Ideas for Your Bedroom - The Country Chic Cottage says:
    December 10, 2016 at 6:58 AM

    […] Shelf as a Headboard […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Follow on Bloglovin

Recent Posts

  • How To Make an Orange Peel Wreath
  • Ten Things I Won’t Be Buying in 2025
  • How to Make a Felt Heart Topiary
  • How To Make a Moss Heart Topiary
  • Best of Christmas Ideas

Purchase Beautiful Home Accessories for any style

Thrifty Style Team 2nd Friday Monthly

International Blogger Club-The 3rd Monday of Each Month

Fashion Trends for Over Fifty

DIY Bicycle Rim Halloween Wreath

Create and Decorate Pumpkins With Sea Shells

Fall Tablescape in Lavender and White

Vintage Bicycle Rim Wreath for Fall

How To Make a Faux Pumpkin Centerpiece

Glittery Welcome Embroidery Hoop Wreath

70+ Crafts and Decorating Tips for Fall

Top Ten Tips and Tricks for creating a Cottage Style Home

Pineapple Pecan Coffee Cake with Caramel Glaze

Raspberry Cream Sandwich Cookies

Cream Cheese and Shrimp Cocktail Dip

PERMISSIONS

What Meegan Makes and all it’s content, pictures, ideas, etc. are original ideas and copyright protected.

Using content including but not limited to: designs, original ideas, photos, posts, etc. is prohibited.

Please ask permission before using any content from my blog for any reason and if there is any question.

Search

FEATURED ON SHABBILICIOUS FRIDAY MAGAZINE

FEATURED IN EVERYTHING HOME MAGAZINE

FEATURED ON HUFFINGTON POST

FEATURED ON HUFFINGTON POST

MY OWN RECIPE WAS FEATURED

FEATURED ON GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Designer Insights from Terry’s Fabrics

Copyright © 2025 ·Beautiful Pro Theme · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress · Log in