Good question, Kippy! This is something I still routinely ponder. We added mirrors behind each nightstand and I really like them there, but sometimes I think the space over the bed could use something ... I just can't find the right something (so maybe what that really means is that it should stay empty ;-)).

Gee, I can't even remember if we have anything up there. No headboard (though DH keeps talking about making one). We used to have a painting of dunes and the ocean, but it's in the living room over the fireplace now.

Oh, wait! Yes! We have another painting of trees on the wall over the bed. Both are of the "starving artist truck load sale" variety.

Donna

Living in earthquake country and unwilling to epoxy something permanently to the wall, I have nothing over the headboard. However, in one bedroom, the headboard is a six foot high screen, so it creates its own focal point.

i live in earthquake country too, and i have a dream catcher over my bed. it's light, so even if it landed on me i'd be fine.

I have been searching for a couple years for the perfect piece to go above our bed. I bought three framed pictures over a year ago but the wood clashed with our bed... I thought about large pictures, round mirrors, etc... but never bought anything UNTIL ------ I was shopping in Pottery Barn one day and saw this medallion. It was on clearance and I had a coupon. I think I paid around $100. I was so excited. It's big enough to fill our space, especially since our ceiling is vaulted.

There were so many times I almost bought neat looking mirrors at Homegoods, but I really wanted to stay clear of mirrors above our bed.

I love the mirror idea above both nightstands though.

Photos are from PB

I'm really liking this look (imagining an identical mirror over the nightstand on the other side too).

I am in SoCal and earth quakes are something to consider. I bought a new mattress set and my bed is taller so the headboard is too low. Easy fix since it is just a 5 panel door on its side and I can raise the legs no problem. I had the top of a Victorian bed (? On age found it rotting in a shed on the property) I had redone it and like but it is only a narrow section. I hung using D hangers and safety catches.

Moms place also has higher ceilings. I was thinking about hanging a found window with mirrors behind the old glass but I already have a giant mirror that reflects the out side in and would rather do a pair of small mirrors like TR.

i could do do fabric sheered like a curtain. But I know how dusty that can get from using a vintage hand crocheted bed cover my grandmother made

the mirror and some plates might be a nice change

fyi Costco has the 3m command hooks on sale right now including the Velcro (I would use a similar D hanger and Velcro to secure)

The original part of our house was built in 1981. There is a 5x3 horizontal window over our bed. It's on a north wall. I LOVE it! When the weather is right, I open the window to let cold north air wash over me while I'm all snuggled up under the blankets :) Sometimes other things wash over me...like the aroma of SKUNK! :o

I've had this mirror over our bed for 12 yrs. (sorry for the awful pic, it's overcast today). It's not super heavy, it's resin, but probably could cause a concussion. We've got it bolted in good, and it didn't budge after two different frack-quakes we've had ... BUT, since I'm being cocky about it, I can envision it falling on me tonight. If y'all don't see me after today, you know what happened. :D

Above our bed;

Miz that is a good idea. I can bolt right to the wall too

Monica- I have a window that is just a tad low for something similar. I do have roses planted under the windows for some natural "glade". But I get the nightly skunk scent too

I have a tapestry over mine...not too hard if it falls, and I don't live in earthquake country...

I need a headboard. I can't find one that I like, so maybe we'll finally make one. Something tall and kind of unusual that fits our rustic/romantic "fairytale" theme.

I really want three windows over my bed like this:

I like that whole ensemble of windows!

I've already got the two big windows on each side of the bed. So want the bank of three above the bed.

I have two small windows on above my nightstands and a high headboard so nothing up there yet. I do have a narrow rectangular decorative metal grate, so I'm considering using that. I think the top will be higher than the windows though, so not sure how it will look.

Thats a lake outside of the larger windows. This pic was taken during the winter when it was covered in snow. Excuse the unmade bed and temporary nightstands and lamps.

At our grooms dinner 30 years ago we were presented a quilt that had been made by family from both sides. It hangs from a quilt rack over my headboard.

I have a pretty tall headboard and wallpaper behind it, so no need for anything else over the bed.

Window! The headboard is not solid, so I feel like I'm sleeping in a tree house.

There are two lamps affixed to the wall over my headboard. I can reach up without rising from bed to turn them off when I'm done reading myself to sleep -- or at least the one closest to where I keep my head on the pillows. (I don't use the other one - I live alone).

When I move to my new build, the ceilings will be an extra foot higher. I'll find something (lightweight) to hang up over there.

A canvas. I too have a thing about something heavy over the bed.

I have a window over the headboard so the problem's been solved for me. Otherwise I probably would have a large just canvas oil painting.

I have three framed photos. They're more for me than as items of decor. I'm in earthquake country but if they fell, they would probably drop down behind my headboard, which isn't flush against the wall.

This was over our bed until a week ago. I made it before we acquired our sweet, little brown dog (who now sleeps with us) and it is a huge ordeal to keep it dust and fur free. I was also getting a little tired of all of the gathers & trim. The painting will stay and since I still like the fabric, I'll be re-doing the drapes on either side of the bed from "puddling" rod pockets to floor-length pinch pleats.

Antique map of place where DH and I met.

A painting!

A couple of shell prints.

Our headboard is tall. Would look silly to hang something above it.

Our headboard is front of a window with wood blinds and a scarf valance. Above each nightstand are coordinating pictures.

Tibbrix you may have solved my long term problem of what to put over my bed AND how to deal with the harsh lighting and closed in feeling of my "one-window" back bedroom. Only if trim carpenter SO comes to live with me though!

I'd rather not have anything over my headboard. I like my room very calming and have very little on the walls.

Cindymac, that is a very beautiful bed!