Depends on the art and the room.

In earthquake zone CA I never put anything glass or heavy above beds. No shelving either. Looks great in areas that aren’t on a fault line tho!

It can look great, art canvas is lightweight. I'm from NZ, earthquakes are frequent

I know of a Master Bedroom that is not large. 8 milk glass plates hang with ribbons on hooks woven thru their open weave perimeter, on the wall in an arch that mimics the lines of the headboard...Non-earthquake vicinity. The room is painted a very soft mint green with white trim and white oak stained flooring. It looks pretty, but odd in some ways. I'd do maybe a canvas scene, or some of the artwork above, or something heirloom like framed handmade quilt blocks from a relative or friend, framed doilies, or something more likely to be found in a bedroom theme, if anything at all..

I was planning on pictures like the ones below in my small bedroom 9x11 but I started to question it after reading so many negative comments in other posts about art above a headboard (I now have an updated upholstered headboard and I will be painting). Do you think 2 large pieces (24x36) would be appropriate in this room? Another lovely Houzzer had suggested keeping the walls completely bare and I feel torn.

Your headboard is very short so something above it would fill in the empty space and look nice. I like the pair of pictures you posted, nice size and nice colors.

I had your bed about 30 years ago as part of the a four poster bed. However I had white sheer curtains hanging from the four posts to make more of a statement because the bed was meh.

I would not address art yet before I changed the bed. This is not an expensive suggestion. All you require is a bed frame to hold the mattress and box spring which can be picked up at any resale shop for next to nothing, and select a closed style headboard that makes a better statement. Almost anything could be better. Even nothing would be better

Check Craigslist, or IKEA or your local bedding outle if money is an issue,

but 86 that black metal headboard. It's not attractive.

See.....even no headboard is better than the black metal arch.

If you like your bed and intend to keep it, then I might do something like this to fill in above it. I think the black and white art could kind of visually carry the black bed upwards a bit:

You show your bed with no pillows, but I think with some thought, you could make the headboard look less "short" by covering most of it up, then add your art. I also think the darker wall helps by having less contrast:

Bedding will likely be a cream color or possibly a light gray. And don't worry, the 90s head board is gone lol. The room is getting a major overhaul after getting being neglected for over 10 years.

Sorry, didn't notice that in your post.

Does this look like a good size for art or is it too big? Its such a small room, I certainly don't want to overwhelm it. Taller lamps, light walls, and window shades to come.

Ah, so you got your headboard and a start on your bedding! No reason you you can't hang artwork. Keep the total about 3/4 the width of the headboard and make it a bit shorter so it doesn't overwhelm the wall. Or you could do one horizontal piece about 30-32 x 48.

@katinparadise I've been slowly picking away at it. I feel like I have to wait on everything else until I decide on art since it would dictate all other colors.

My head board is 61" long and I was thinking of having the 2 prints done as 24x36 but after putting the paper up they look too tall. I wanted to do one big piece but it would cost a small fortune to have it printed on canvas and it's harder than expected to find larger frames. Here are the prints I was thinking of. It could be converted into one large piece as well.

Somehow the taped art seems too large, and for regular height ceilngs…. unless it's abstract, or a single-subject simple piece to contrast with geometric-attention of rug.

There are others like this... if it blends with rug...and this is 21" tall.

[https://www.houzz.com/products/birch-tree-oil-canvas-print-48x24-prvw-vr~77026997[(https://www.houzz.com/products/birch-tree-oil-canvas-print-48x24-prvw-vr~77026997)

[https://www.houzz.com/products/linda-table-lamp-brushed-steel-prvw-vr~72861970[(https://www.houzz.com/products/linda-table-lamp-brushed-steel-prvw-vr~72861970)

Is this ok? "Height depends upon the nightstand; if 25 - 30", a lamp in 30-inch range looks proportional against a headboard or the room in general. If the nightstand is relatively short next to the bed, add an inch or two for the lamp to look proportional to the space, and to provide adequate reading light without you looking down at the light from in bed. A lamp taller than 36 inches will likely be too tall next to the bed, with the bulb visible while lying down."

This 32" tall lamp?

32 x 61" with different neutrals:

[https://www.houzz.com/products/maison-framed-oil-painting-prvw-vr~94551593[(https://www.houzz.com/products/maison-framed-oil-painting-prvw-vr~94551593)

[https://www.houzz.com/products/aurora-crystal-lamp-prvw-vr~12341161[(https://www.houzz.com/products/aurora-crystal-lamp-prvw-vr~12341161)

I could print the 2 pieces smaller (16x20) or a set if 3 as well. I notice in the pictures above that the set of 3 extends beyond the headboard and looks nice. Is artwork only supposed to take up 3/4 of the headboard if it's just one piece?

I would try taping up 3 16X20 to see how they look. You might also try two at 20X24. The 3/4 size of the headboard is the general "rule" but rules are meant to be broken and it's certainly up to you if you prefer it larger. I love your choice of pieces, by the way.

You can barely see my headboard in this photo, but this is what I have over my bed:

This is a painting that my brother did, and it is 36"H x 44"W. I have two small African masks on either side of it. I've had the same bed frame since 1994 and have no reason to change it, especially since it barely shows. I am also concerned with earthquakes, but I have hung this with special earthquake hangers, but in the past, I have only hung tapestries above my bed. I did have some large paintings come down in the Northridge quake, but they were not on earthquake hangers. The main problem with these hangers is that it is difficult to get the wire on them, and even more difficult to get to take the paintings down. For a large painting, it takes two people.

I personally would be concerned about overwhelming a small room - I think it adds drama to have something large. Also, you won't see it when you are in bed, unless you have a mirror opposite.

I think this looks more balanced. Thoughts?

That could look nice, maybe a tiny bit farther apart and as long as the art in the frames isn't too small, but mostly fills the space. Will you be getting bigger/taller table lamps? I think you need that, not only from a practical standpoint, but to also balance the headboard and art placement.

ETA my internet is SO SLOW to load pics, that I missed your taped 2 piece mock-up. I really like how that looks...not sure which art you're intending if you did two, but I think that looks even better than the 3 (depending on the art you choose).

ETA ONE MORE TIME, gee whiz! Now I see the two pieces of art, too. I think that would look really wonderful!

Perfect. Is that 3 at 16x20? Can you print the pieces to that size? I really like the look of them without mats in the thin gold frames. The colors are soft and lovely and I think they have more impact when not surrounded by white frames and mats.

@katinparadise the 3 are 16X20 and I'm pretty sure I could find thin frames- even if they're white and I have to spray paint them gold.

I think you have a winner. You? I'll be excited to see how they turn out!