This wallpaper headboard from Blueprint is minimal, modern, and inexpensive. 
With a bit more effort, you can create your own tufted headboard:
TOOLS & SUPPLIES:
1/2″ Plywood
1×4″ Lumber
Foam (at least 2″ thick)
Polyester Batting Upholstery
Fabric
Upholstery Thread
Upholstery Needle
Button Kit and Buttons
Scissors
Spray Adhesive
Wood screws
Bolts
Staple Gun and 1/2″ Staples
Tape measure
Drill Hammer
Optional but helpful: Rubber Mallet Electric Knife
STEPS:
Step 1: Take Measurements Width: Measure the width of your bed frame. The headboard should be about 1″ or 2″ larger in width than your mattress. Height: This is up to you. If you are planning on leaning against it while in bed make sure it is tall enough. Measure from the top of the mattress to the height you want the headboard to be. The legs should be about 2″ above the floor and within 5″ of the top of the headboard.
Step 2: Buy Your Supplies: You can buy plywood in large sheets. Have the hardware store cut it to size. (Most stores will do this for free.) The sheet probably won’t lay exactly flat, but it isn’t a big deal. Buy your 1×4’s and have them cut as well. You may know of a better source for foam but I bought mine at JoAnn fabrics for 50% off. I had to buy two pieces because their foam only comes in one width and this accounted for about half the money spent on the project. When buying your batting and fabric, make sure you have enough to wrap around the front and secure to the back. (I wouldn’t recommend a patterned fabric for your first try.)
Step 3: Put It All Together:
1. Find a clean, well-ventilated work area.
2. Determine how many buttons you will use and where you want them to go. (Just a heads up the tufting was by far the most time consuming part.) Mark the board and drill small holes. (Just small enough for the upholstery needle to pass through, this will help keep the buttons lined up.)
3. Lay the plywood down and spray one side with adhesive and adhere the foam. Cut off any excess foam so that it is exactly flush with the plywood. There should be no overlap. (This is where that electric knife comes in handy.)
4. Spray the foam with adhesive and hold one side of the batting while your friend holds the other side and pull taut. Place on top of foam. Make sure there is no puckering because it will show through the fabric.
5. Flip the plywood, foam and batting over and lay it flat on the ground. Wrap the batting around to the backside and staple in place.
6. Lay fabric on the floor wrong side facing up. Place plywood, batting side down, on top of fabric. Wrap fabric around to the back of the headboard, pull tightly and start stapling, working from the middle of each side outward. Trim any excess with scissors.
7. Use the button covering kit to cover your buttons. (Look online for tutorials.) This part is a pain. The smaller the button, the more difficult it is to cover them. (A rubber mallet will be helpful. I ruined my button maker with a hammer.)
8. Double thread your upholstery needle with upholstery thread and poke through one of your pre-drilled holes from the back to the front. Don’t pull all the way through! Make sure to leave some thread hanging out of the back. Slide the button onto the thread and poke the needle back through the same hole. Push the button on the front of your headboard into the foam while your friend tightly secures the thread on the back with a bunch of staples. You will need a hammer to bang in the staples, so that the thread will stay secure. (There is probably a better way to secure the thread but this is how I did it.)
9. Continue along and tuft each of your holes, smoothing the fabric as you go.
10. Measure and attach 1×4’s to the back of the headboard with screws. Place the headboard against the bed frame and bolt 1×4’s (one on each side) to pre-existing holes in the bed frame.
11. Step back and admire your work.
Hey, a mirror headboard! Mirrors tend to be expensive if purchased new, but cheap and unique finds can be found at thrift stores, yard sales and vintage furnishing shops.
This method is as cheap as paint and a good way to tone down the impact of an especially bright and bold color.
Weekend headboard:
Friday evening: Shop for paint and supplies.
Saturday: Move furniture, clean and prep the area. Paint the walls white. Stop, pat yourself on the back and let dry fully overnight.
Sunday: Take your time and measure up from the floor approx. 3 feet (give or take a bit, depending on the height of your bed/pillows), at regular intervals of approximately a foot along the entire length of the wall, marking the three foot spot with a pencil . Run good quality masking tape CAREFULLY along the marks, with the top of the tape hitting the marks. Paint the upper portion of the wall with your gorgeous color- don’t overload your roller, especially near the tape. Resist the temptation to fuss with the tape too early – let it dry well before attempting to remove it. Remove tape. Clean up. Return furniture, admire your fabulous job and sleep well in your newly spiffy bedroom!
Design Dilemma: You rent and can’t paint or wallpaper, but want to bring color to your apartment’s bland walls.
