Markers and crayons came immediately to mind when I thought about your question. You just may be nuts! :) It is nice though, perhaps later when he is older.

What you might consider is getting a basic upholstered headboard and then having slipcovers for it. That way, the headboard itself is protected from the inevitable messes of youth, including said markers and crayons, food, and late night upset stomachs that don't make it to the bathroom.

That said, imo I don't see the look being much fun for a boy, certainly not one that is younger than his late teens.

What about making a headboard that has chalkboard paint or magnetic paint on it, so that he could have fun with it? Or one that could be wallpapered with his favorite characters or theme of the moment, then easily changed?

I agree that you should wait on an upholstered headboard. My 8 year old has a white metal headboard, and I can't tell you the grime/mess I wipe off on a regular basis. Two other considerations: future allergies (mites would love to set up housekeeping in an upholstered headboard)and middle of the night stomach problems (that's when my kids typically got sick!). Easy clean to surfaces are the best bet for young kids, IMO.

cooper: Dh thinks I'm nut too -- too many late nights browsing dream bedroom, I guess. :-D

Les: the slipcover idea is brilliant!! In fact, I made couple slipcovers for my brother's upholstered headboard and he loves it. Maybe I can make a slipcover w/ little pockets where we can put his little books, trains, stuff animals, etc.

teeda: yike! I didn't think a/b allergies!! Now that's something to be worried about.

Even with a slip cover, germs and head lice getting behind it to the upholstered part would be my concern.

Bella, that first bed is perfect...for me. :)

I think, if you really want a fabric look, that you might want to think about Les's idea and do slipcovers.

My first thought was to recommend a slipcovered headboard. Restoration Hardware had a very attractive one for sale. I was going to buy it but changed my mind when they sent me the fabric swatches and I saw the real colors were not anything like they appeared in the catalog. I don't see it online or I would have linked to it.

My son is 5 - his bed is pretty clean. He doesn't eat in it or play with markers in it. A padded headboard would be nice to lean against for story time. That being said, I would only do one with slipcovers like Les suggested - just because of the occasional upset stomach in the middle of the night, or perhaps a bedwetting (unlikely to get on the headboard though!). What we have done is buy those 5' long "cuddler" or body pillows (cuddledown has them) and slipcover those - they run the whole length of a full-sized bed and we use them to lean against for reading.

I think as long as it is slipped in something washable....maybe a sturdy matelasse' - prewashed for shrinkage - it would work. My DS is not that messy in his bed & when he is sick he is usually in my bed anyways. Markers & crayons at the kitchen table - learned the hard way not to keep them in his room!! Or upstairs for that matter:)

Look at this adorable room from rate my space. Love, love the monogram - simple & classic for a little boy. I could never keep the linens so neat, thou!

Smiles:)

I think the slipcover idea is great. The very first thing I thought of would be to make it removable, like an ironing board cover. Washable, like denim or something.

As for mites and such...they could be in the bed and pillows, too. I doubt they're selective about real estate.

A padded headboard, covered with mite-proof cover, or covered with a vinyl tablecloth, and the cover over that...

He doesn't want that! Get him a race car bed. ;-)
Buy the adult bed for your own room.

scoobyruby, that room is so cute! I think it's appropriate for a 2yr old. and a slip cover would be perfect.

Like others before me have mentioned, do it only if you can remove it and wash it. My son would look at it as his own personal Kleenex - yuck!

I think it is a great idea! Do the upholstery in some darker colour, like denim, and spray it well with scotchguard. Or have it upholstered and then do a slipcover over it, as someone suggested.

If a child has headlice they will be in the pillows, too, and in the pillows of your sofa if he's lain there for any length of time. Really, how many kids even get headlice, for that to be a serious consideration in one's decor??

Thanks for all the advices ! I'm glad that there are some who agreed with me because most people think I'm totally crazy when I told them a/b the idea. :-)

I think it would work if I cover the whole headboard in a vinyl type fabric (thanks evaf for the idea), then put the slipcovers over it. I can make the slipcovers in ultrasuede for the winter, sunbrella for the summer. These fabrics are pretty indestructible.

DH still wants me to explore the wooden bed option so I will humor him and look at some other beds, but I'm pretty sure I would end up w/ an upholstered bed. With my 1st DS, I did all the typical kids room: mural, car bed, bed w/ slide, theme room, etc...and now I just want a fun & functional, comfortable, & sophisticated room. :-)

ksw: thanks for the pix of that beautiful inspirational room.

I can tell you right now that teen boys, even preteen boys, will want a wood headboard. Upholstered headboards seem feminine to me. By the time they leave home, there will probably be many stains on it. We had bookshelf headboards which had sliding doors on each side so they could "hide" things.