Before my husband and I moved to our new house, we never had a headboard. Strange, but true. Our first apartment had a glass partition that did the job. For our other place: well, with two tiny children who often wanted to sleep with us, we just ended up putting the mattress on the floor. Let's just say we were going through a minimalist phase.
When we got to our house in California, we knew it was time to step it up. After weighing lots of options, we ended up upholstering our own: a nice, modern one with a low profile, kitted out in a fawn colored indoor/outdoor fabric. Despite our rudimentary upholstery skills, it turned out well! (Photos to come).
So call me a fan of the standard headboard. They give a nice focal point to a room, and upholstered ones offer a pleasant cushion for reading, too. They aren't the only way to adorn the head of the bed, though. Check out the following:
via Elle Decor March 2009
via HomeSense Canada
photo by Darius Kuzmickas, via Home Adore
via husligheter
Off-the-rack pegboard, a slice of incredible stone, and everything in between: you've got lots of options here. So rather than holding out for the "perfect" headboard, try mixing it up! Your best bet may not be a piece of furniture at all.