Remember when we removed Ed the Bed’s top rails and mentioned that we still needed finials to finish the look? Time for a finial fashion show. I ran to Home Depot and Lowe’s and brought back four contenders to try on Ed’s posts. Here’s the lineup:
The long wooden pieces in the top right were actually chair legs from Lowe’s. I was curious whether a long, lean shape would work, and we often repurpose odd items, so chair legs as finials wasn’t too far-fetched. That said, once John joked that they looked like “man parts,” I couldn’t stop seeing them that way. Sleeping under four of those felt wrong, so they were eliminated before the rest of the trial.
Here are the other three options sitting on one of Ed’s posts. The first were round finials from Home Depot that are intended for curtain rods. The little screws at the base fit right into the predrilled holes on Ed’s posts.
These could work, especially if we painted them white to match Ed, but they read a bit like banister tops—kind of “builder-basic.” They echoed the round shape of our dandelion-style light fixture, so they wouldn’t be a wrong choice, but they didn’t excite us enough to commit.
The next pair was ornate curtain finials (also from Home Depot) that felt heavy, formal, and slightly pineapple-like:
We grabbed these even though they seem more traditional because we plan to add a curvy, antique-style dresser to balance the modern chandelier. We wanted to see whether the bed’s clean lines could play nicely with a more formal finial. The dark finish was off at first, but painted white we liked how they echoed the mirror shape over the sink and thought they could tie different styles together.
The final option is a compromise between the plain round finials and the very ornate ones:
They were already white—though not a perfect match—so it was easy to visualize them on Ed. They include rounded orbs that subtly reflect the chandelier’s shape while offering a slightly vintage feel, which would help connect the bed to a curvy dresser if we find one on Craigslist.
After stepping back and studying them in place, we had a clear favorite. From across the room, they just felt right:
They look like they were made for Ed. We’re still thinking about bedside lamps and a nightstand upgrade, but for now we worked with what we have. The other finials went back to the store. I managed to remove one from its packaging without cutting anything so I could return them in perfect condition—I even photographed them back in their boxes. Yes, small victories like that make me oddly proud.
Attaching the finials presented a small challenge. The finial screws slid into the predrilled holes but the holes were slightly oversized, so the finials rocked a bit when jostled. Swapping the screws for thicker ones would have taken time, and being impatient, I tried poster putty instead. I pushed a ball of putty onto the screw to thicken it and create a sticky, supportive fit.
It worked brilliantly. The finials stopped wobbling and felt secure, but the bond is still reversible—poster putty allows easy removal later without damaging the posts or the finials.
So there you have it: a quick, reversible Ikea hack. We still need to touch up the paint so the finials perfectly match Ed. I’ll bring home paint swatches and pick a small test pot to get a seamless color.
And no, that wasn’t the end of the post. We also experimented with art above the bed. We hung a ceramic ram and two thrift-store pieces up there. I love the ram, but we’re not sure the grouping is large enough for that wall—it feels a little small for the space.
Once the rest of the furniture and artwork are in place, the pieces might feel more at home. For now the ram stays because I enjoy waking up under it. We’re also considering a large canvas to better fill that space down the line.
Finally, here’s one of my favorite corners of the room that hasn’t been photographed much lately.
How sweet do that chair and those curtains look framed by finial-topped posts? I love seeing that sleepy view in the morning—well, when I’m not busy smiling up at my ram friend.