DIY Eco-Friendly Headboard: Before and After
When Jennae sent her bedroom before-and-after photos, we had to share her smart, budget-friendly headboard project. She and her husband live in a rental, prefer green choices, and were working with a tight budget—so creating an impactful, removable headboard that fit their lifestyle was the main challenge. Below is Jennae’s story and the details behind how she made a professional-looking, textured headboard without spending a fortune.
My husband and I live in a rental, we’re on a budget, and we love all things green—so decorating the bedroom wasn’t easy. Our biggest question was what to use for a headboard. We searched the web for headboard ideas and tutorials, and finally I remembered a product I’d featured on my blog a while back: Wall Flats from Inhabit Living.
Wall flats are essentially paintable, three-dimensional wallpaper that feels like stiff, lightweight cardboard. They’re made of bamboo pulp and are biodegradable at the end of their life, so they fit our sustainability requirements. A box of 10 tiles typically costs around $86, but because we were watching our budget we bought second-quality wall flats—slightly irregular pieces—at $4.50 apiece. I miscalculated and bought 12 tiles, though we only needed 9. Even with the extra tiles, our headboard cost about $55, plus $10 for foam tape, and we were thrilled with the result. You can see how the whole room came together in my blog post. We made several changes for the after photo, but the headboard and new bedding made the biggest impact.
Why this approach works for renters
This solution is ideal for renters because the wall flats are removable. They provide a textured, statement look similar to expensive upholstered or wooden headboards, but without permanently altering the walls. If you move, you can take them with you or remove them without damage. For anyone who wants to combine style, sustainability, and affordability, this is a smart option.
Materials and cost breakdown
Here’s a simple breakdown of what Jennae used and how the total cost stayed low:
- Wall flats (bamboo pulp tiles): second-quality pieces at an individual discount price.
- Foam tape for mounting: inexpensive and gentle on rental walls.
- Optional paint or finish: paintable surface to match any room palette.
Even with the small miscalculation in quantity, the final investment was under $70, making this a highly affordable alternative to many store-bought headboards that often cost hundreds of dollars.
Design and installation highlights
The wall flats offer a three-dimensional, textured effect that reads as modern and sophisticated when installed as a headboard backdrop. Jennae arranged the tiles to create a cohesive pattern behind the bed, then attached them using foam tape. The result is a bold focal point that elevates the whole bedroom. Pairing the textured headboard with crisp bedding and printed cushions helped complete the look, bringing together pattern, color, and texture in a balanced way.
Before and after
In the before photo, the room felt plain and lacked a central design element. After installing the wall flats and updating the bedding, the room gained personality, depth, and a much more finished appearance. Small changes—like the textured headboard and coordinated linens—made a dramatic visual difference without requiring a full renovation or expensive furniture purchase.
Final thoughts
Jennae’s project demonstrates how resourceful thinking and careful material choices can transform a rental bedroom on a budget. By choosing an eco-friendly product and buying discounted tiles, she achieved a high-end look for a fraction of the cost. The headboard is removable, sustainable, and visually striking—exactly what many renters and budget-conscious decorators are looking for. If you’re considering a similar update, this approach is an excellent case study in combining style, affordability, and environmental awareness.
Didn’t Jennae do a great job? We love that she used discounted wall flats to achieve a textured, modern look while staying eco-conscious and renter-friendly. The final result proves you don’t need a large budget to create a memorable focal point in a bedroom.