Remember when we removed the top rails from Ed the Bed and mentioned we needed finials to finish the look? Time for a finial fashion show. I ran to Home Depot and Lowe’s and picked up four options to test on Ed. Here’s the lineup:
The long wooden pieces in the top right were actually chair legs from Lowe’s. I wanted to see if something long and lean would suit the bed, and, as usual, we like repurposing odd items. Still, once John joked they looked like “man parts,” I couldn’t stop seeing it—sleeping under four of those was immediately out. So those were eliminated before the rest of the contenders even got a fair shot.
Here are the other three options installed on one of Ed’s posts. The first was a set of round finials from Home Depot designed for curtain rods. Their attached screws fit right into the predrilled holes on Ed’s posts.
They would work—especially if we painted them white to match Ed—but the simple round shape felt a bit generic, like banister tops. They echoed the round form of our dandelion-esque light, so they wouldn’t be wrong, but they didn’t excite us. They had that “builder-basic” vibe rather than a distinct four-poster character.
The next finials were ornate curtain finials (also from Home Depot). They felt heavy, formal, and slightly pineapple-esque:
We grabbed these on purpose, even though they’re more formal than Ed’s modern lines, because we plan to bring in a curvy, antique-style dresser that will balance the chandelier’s modernity. The dark finish wasn’t right, but painted white they actually tied into the mirror above the sink and could complement a more traditional dresser.
The final pair was a middle ground between the basic round finials and the ornate ones:
These were already white (though not a perfect match), which helped us visualize how they’d look without extra work. They feature round orbs that subtly echo the light fixture while also offering a slightly vintage feel, which would connect Ed to a curvy, ornate dresser if we find one on Craigslist.
After stepping back and comparing them in the room, we chose the last set. From a distance they felt like they were made for Ed:
We packed up the other finials and returned them. I was careful to remove one finial from its packaging without cutting or unstapling anything so I could slip each one back in for return—yes, ridiculous little victories make me happy.
Attaching the finials presented a minor issue: the screws fit the predrilled holes but the holes were slightly too wide, so the finials wobbled. Replacing the screws with thicker ones seemed time-consuming, so I tested poster putty: I squeezed a bit around the screw before inserting it to bulk up the fit. It worked—the finials no longer wavered, and the putty provides a reversible hold so we can remove them later without damage.
It’s the easiest and most reversible IKEA hack we’ve done. Next step: paint the finials to better match Ed’s white tone. I’ll take swatches home, pick the closest match, grab a test pot, and paint them for a seamless look.
But the post doesn’t end there—art is still a work in progress. We tried hanging a ceramic ram and two thrift-store finds above the bed. I love the ram, but the trio looks a bit small for that space right now.
They might read better once we add more furniture and larger artwork, but for now they stay because I enjoy waking up under the ram. We’re considering a large canvas or bolder piece for that spot down the road.
One of my favorite corners in the room hasn’t been shown in a while:
I love how the chair and curtains look framed by the finial-topped posts. It’s a sweet view to wake up to—especially when I’m not busy admiring my ram friend.