Dorm Room Headboard Hack: Using A Dog Bed

Let’s face it – college is expensive.  And decorating a dorm room starts to add up very quickly!  But it doesn’t have to.  If you’re looking for a budget-friendly DIY dorm bed headboard idea, give this dog bed hack a try.  You can remove the cushion cover and wash it, don’t have to bring any tools to install it, and can use it to solve awkward dorm room design layouts.  So, who’s ready?   Dorm Room Headboard Hack: Using A Dog Bed.

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***NOTE***  This post contains affiliate links which means that I will receive a small compensation if you purchase from those links at no cost to you.  Thanks so much for your support 🙂

*To shop similar headboards:  Scroll to the the very end of post.

 

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Dorm Room Headboard Hack: Using A Dog Bed

Dog Bed Headboard Hack Idea:

So, how did I come up with this dog bed headboard hack idea? 

I have always thought that the dog beds fabrics/piping/patterns in the dog isle at Home Goods are just so cute and fun.  

You can basically coordinate your dog bed with your home decor (like our dog Boomer’s – pictured below on my Christmas wall tree post).

• So I was wondering what I could do with those large, flat beds….
• Then I started researching some measurements…..for twin beds.
• And they were about the same size – bam!!

 

Measurements:

#1)  Twin and Twin XL Measurements:

So, what are the differences between twin and twin XL bed measurements anyway?

• Twin :  38″W x 75″L
• Twin XL:  38″W x 80″L (dorm beds)

Results:

• Twin XL mattresses are 5″ longer.
• Twin and Twin XL – are same width.
• This headboard hack can be used on both twin and twin xl beds since they are both the same width. 

#2)  Twin/Twin XL Headboard Measurements:

Twin/Twin XL headboards can go:

• Inside the 38″W Bed Dimensions (~ 34″W)  
• Outside the 38″W Bed Dimensions (~40″W)
• Height ranges from (~32″H – 40″H)

#3)  Dog Beds L/XL Measurements:

• Large Dog Beds – (~35″ W x 23″H)
• X-Large Dog Beds – (~41″W x 27″H)

End Result:

You can see from the measurements that large dog beds and twin headboard measurements are roughly about the same size, give or take a little.

Ok, so let’s get to the Dorm Room Headboard Hack: Using A Dog Bed!

 

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Dorm Room Headboard Hack: Using A Dog Bed

Pros And Cons of Using a Dog Bed:

Pros:

1.   More Budget-Friendly/Affordable
2.   Removable and Washable Cover
3.   Movable – (not attached to wall or bed)
4.   Cushioned/Soft Back Rest
5.   No Installation Required 
6.   Lightweight
7.   Fun Fabric Choices
8.   Can Be Used For Tricky Dorm Wall Space/Weird Window Placement
9.   Some are Water Repellent/Resistant (Sadie’s is not – FYI)

Cons:

1.   Not as Grand/Elegant (in appearance)
2.   Could Be More Difficult to Coordinate W/Roommate
3.   Not Fixed to Bed/Wall (if you need that)
4.   Charger Option Not Available (if you want that)

Ok, so let’s get to the Dorm Room Headboard Hack: Using A Dog Bed!

 

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Dorm Room Headboard Hack: Using A Dog Bed

Sadie’s Dog Bead/Headboard:

I found my daughter’s dog bed at Home Goods.   And yes I know that a TON of people have dogs named Sadie, but it is my daughter’s name – lol!!

Anyhoo – here is what it looks like.

• Measurements:  21″H x 34″L x 12″Deep
• Price:  $29.99 + tax = $32.46

 

You can tell that it has a cute blue and white boho pattern with white fringe accent trim.

 

It also has a removable cover so you can wash it – definitely a bonus!

(Sadie’s filling/batting is not water repellent or washable – FYI).

 

This particular dog bed came with a handle which is another plus so she can move it around.

 

And it is made with a nice, thick duck or canvas fabric – which makes it more durable.

 

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Dorm Room Headboard Hack

Trial Run:

I decided to do a trial run in our spare room – because it has a twin daybed in it. 

This way I could at least see that it looked like (for sizing purposes) on a twin bed.

 

Great fit so now I tried it out with all of the dorm room decorating goodies that Sadie picked out. 

And it worked perfectly with all of the colors.

 

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Dorm Room Headboard Hack Reveal

The dog bed worked great, and here is how it turned out in Sadie’s actual dorm room.

We simply propped it up against the wall – so we didn’t attach it to the wall with command hooks.

 

Of course I wanted to also show you how it looks beside a dorm bed with an actual fixed headboard – so you can get a true sense of the aesthetic part.

• And…. I know that this dog bed hack won’t work for everyone. 
• I just wanted to give you some options in case budget or spacing is a concern.

 

Sadie completed her freshman year with this dog bead headboard hack – and it worked out just fine!

Here Sadie is on move-in day (below).

• In fact….. I might even try to convince my younger daughter Sophie (who will be a college freshman this year) to use it!!
• I love repurposing! 😉

 

Have a Great Freshman Year in College!!

Love & Hugs 🙂

 

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Dorm Room Headboard Shopping

Dog Beds For Sale:

Home Goods/ TJ Maxx/ Marshalls:-

• you’re probably going to have to visit one in person (the online choices aren’t so great ) – sorry!

Amazon:

• Fluffy – medium (36″ x 27″ x 3″) or large (41″ x 29″ x 4″)
• Flat – large (36″ x 27″ x 3″)

Similar Headboards For Sale:

And here for Dormco Headboards:

• ~24″H  x 40″W x 8″D – Rainha PLUSH Tufted (rectangular)
• ~24″H  x 40″W x 8″D – Rainha ULTRA THICK Tufted (rectangular)
• ~20″H x 40″ x 9″D – Rainha LOUNGER Tufted (rectangular wedge)
• ~34″H x 40″W” x 3″D – Rainha – PUFFY Tufted (square)
• ~ 34″H x 39″W x 3″D – Rainha – CUSHION Tufted (square)
• ~ 30″H x 39″W x “D – Rainha – MEMORY FOAM Cushioned (flat square)

And Dormify Headboards:

• 40″H x 34″L – Square Pillow Channeled (square)
• 40″H  x 34″L – Dormify Square Pillow Tufted (square)