Bookshelf Headboard Ideas for Every Bedroom Size

A bookshelf headboard is a shelf unit, a bookcase or a built-in that sits behind the bed and doubles as storage and a bedside surface. It works best when it is shallow (about 8-12 inches deep), no wider than the bed plus the bedside tables, and wired for a reading light.

Below you'll find the main ways to do it, how to size it, how to style it, and what to do if you'd rather skip a headboard altogether.

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Can I use a bookcase as a headboard?

Yes. A low bookcase placed against the wall behind the bed is the simplest version, and it needs no tools. Pick one that is roughly as wide as the bed or slightly wider, and tall enough that you can lean back on a pillow without hitting a hard edge.

Check three things before you buy:

• Depth. Anything much deeper than 12 inches steals floor space and makes you reach over a lot of stuff to get to the lamp.
• A closed back. An open-backed unit lets pillows slip into the gap and lets books fall behind the bed.
• Stability. Anchor tall units to the wall with the straps or brackets the maker supplies. If you have a dog that jumps on the bed, or kids, this matters even more.

As an architect, I'd keep the top shelf at or below about shoulder height when you sit up in bed. Heavy objects up high and a restless sleeper are a poor mix.

Which bookshelf headboard ideas suit your bed size?

The bed width sets the headboard width, so measure the bed and the wall before anything else.

Twin

A twin bed against a wall can take a single bookcase turned sideways, or two narrow units flanking the pillow area. In a kid's room or guest room, a unit with a few open cubbies keeps nighttime books within reach.

Queen

A queen is about 60 inches wide, so a headboard unit of 60-70 inches covers the bed without crowding the walls. Two matching bookcases with a shelf bridging the gap above the pillows is a common way to get the width.

King

A king is about 76 inches wide. A single piece that long is hard to find, so a run of modular units or a built-in wall of shelves usually makes more sense. Leave room for a bedside table on each side, or build the bedside surfaces into the shelving.

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Headboard storage ideas for small bedrooms

In a small room, the headboard is some of the only wall you can use without losing floor. A few options that work:

• Wall-mounted shallow shelves, which keep the floor clear and make the room read as larger.
• A low, wide shelf that runs the full width of the bed and doubles as a nightstand.
• Tall, narrow shelving on both sides of the bed, which draws the eye up and adds storage without a big footprint.
• A headboard with drawers or a hidden compartment, if you want closed storage for things you don't want on display.

If the bed sits in a studio, a taller unit set behind it can mark off the sleeping area without walling it in. A low continuous shelf keeps the view open.

If you like a quieter bedroom look, the ideas in this minimalist bedroom guide pair well with a shallow, mostly empty shelf.

DIY bookshelf headboard: where to start

A DIY bookshelf headboard is a manageable weekend project if you keep it simple. Here is the order I'd work in:

1. Measure the wall, the bed width and the height of your mattress top. Mark outlet and switch locations.
2. Decide on depth. About 8-12 inches suits most beds; go shallower if the room is tight.
3. Choose the material. Plywood with a hardwood edge is stable and easy to cut. Solid wood costs more and moves with humidity.
4. Build the shelves as a frame and fix it into wall studs, not just drywall. Books are heavy.
5. Plan lighting and power before closing anything up. Run LED strips or a sconce, and keep cords tidy with a cable channel.

For anything that involves new wiring or cutting into walls, hire a licensed electrician or contractor. Plug-in lights and a surge-protected strip tucked into a shelf are safer for most renters and DIYers.

Wood bookshelf headboard ideas and other finishes

Wood is the usual choice because it's warm, sturdy and easy to refinish. Lighter woods such as ash or birch brighten a small room. Darker woods such as walnut make a bedroom feel more enclosed, which some people like for sleeping.

Matte or oiled finishes show the grain and hide fingerprints. Glossy finishes bounce light and show every smudge, so they suit a room that gets good daylight and doesn't get much traffic.

You can add softness with an upholstered panel between the shelves where your head rests. It cushions the hard edge and cuts some echo in a bare room. If a pet sleeps on the bed, pick a tight weave or performance fabric that wipes clean.

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Lights, outlets and a few styling rules

Build reading light into the plan. A sconce or a slim LED strip under a shelf gives you task light without taking up the surface. Keep outlets reachable from the pillow so you aren't crawling behind the bed to charge a phone.

For the shelves themselves:

• Group books both horizontally and vertically to break up the lines.
• Leave some shelves partly empty. A full wall of objects behind your head is busy at bedtime.
• Put heavier items low and lighter ones high.
• Use one larger piece, such as a framed print or a mirror, as a focal point.
• Keep plants small, with saucers underneath, so water never reaches the books. If you have pets, check with your vet before bringing in a plant, since some common houseplants are toxic to dogs and cats.

Color is easier to decide in the room itself. Test paint and shelf samples in morning and evening light, because the same shade can look warm at noon and gray at night. Soft whites, sage and muted blue-gray tend to keep a bedroom restful.

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What can be used instead of a headboard?

If shelves aren't right for your room, there are plenty of alternatives:

• Floating shelves or a picture ledge mounted above the bed.
• A gallery wall of framed pieces centered on the bed.
• A slim console or narrow bookcase placed behind a floating bed in an open room.
• A painted block or arch of color on the wall, sized like a headboard.
• A large piece of art or a mirror leaned on a low shelf.

Renters can lean on freestanding units and ledges that fix to the wall with a few brackets, which are easier to patch than a built-in. For a bolder bedroom mood, the palette ideas in this princess bedroom piece show how far color alone can carry a bed wall.

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Care and upkeep

Dust the shelves regularly and don't overload them; long spans of shelving sag under heavy books. Felt pads under ceramics protect the finish. If your bedroom needs more places to put shoes and small items, a shoe rack setup can take pressure off the headboard shelves.

Frequently asked questions