Remember when we took Ed The Bed’s top rails off and mentioned needing finials to finish the look? I went on a little finial shopping run to Home Depot and Lowe’s and tried four different options on Ed to see what worked best. Here’s how the trial went.
One set I tried were long wooden pieces that were actually chair legs from Lowe’s. I wanted to test a long, lean profile to see if that vertical silhouette would suit the bed. We often repurpose unexpected items, so turning chair legs into finials felt like a natural experiment. However, once John joked that they looked like “man parts,” I couldn’t shake the image. Sleeping under four of those felt off, so they were out early on.
The other three choices were curtain finials and curtain rod end pieces that fit the predrilled holes on Ed’s posts. The first were simple round finials from Home Depot. The screws at the base slid right into the posts’ holes, so installation was straightforward. Painted white, they could have blended in with the bed, but they read a bit like banister tops — functional and a little builder-basic — rather than the custom-feel finials we wanted. They matched the round shape of our dandelion-like light, but they didn’t excite us.
The second option was a heavier, more ornate curtain finial. At first glance they seemed formal and almost pineapple-like in their detailing. We considered them because we plan to bring in a curvy, antique-style dresser to contrast the bed’s modern lines and the contemporary chandelier. The darker finish wasn’t ideal, but painted white they tied nicely into the mirror above the sink and could bridge the modern and antique pieces in the room.
The third finial style felt like a happy compromise between the plain round ones and the ornate pieces. These were already white, which made it easy to imagine them on the bed without any extra work. They feature subtle orbs that echo the light fixture and carry a slightly old-fashioned vibe, so they’d pair well if we add a curvy, leggy dresser down the line. After stepping back and studying all three options on the posts, this middle option felt right — they simply fit the bed’s proportions and the room’s evolving mix of styles.
Once we chose the finials, I returned the others. I even managed to remove one finial from its packaging without cutting or unstapling anything so I could slide them back in and return them in perfect condition. Small victories, but I appreciate being able to return items in mint shape.
Installing the chosen finials presented a small challenge: the screws that attached to each finial were slightly too thin for Ed’s predrilled holes, causing the finials to wobble when bumped. Replacing the screws with thicker ones would have taken time, and I wanted a quick, reversible fix. So I used a ball of poster putty around the screw as a filler to thicken the connection. The putty acted like a sticky buffer, holding the finials steady without permanent modification.
The poster putty solution worked perfectly: the finials stopped swaying but remain removable if we change our minds. It’s an easy, reversible Ikea hack that stabilizes the pieces without drilling or glue. We do plan to paint the finials to match Ed’s exact white tone; I’ll bring paint swatches home and pick a test pot so the finials blend seamlessly with the posts.
We also experimented with wall art above the bed. We tried a ceramic ram and a couple of thrifted pieces. They’re fun and quirky, and I enjoy waking up to the ram, but the grouping felt a little small for that spot. Once we fill the room with the remaining furniture and larger art, those pieces might read better. For now, they’re staying because I like the personality they add.
One of my favorite little views in the room is the chair and curtains seen through the finial-topped posts. It’s a sweet, calming corner I love to look at in the morning — especially when the ram isn’t stealing the spotlight.