10 Stunning Statement Headboards To Brighten Your Bedroom

By Charlie Colville

14 hours ago

Level up your bedscaping skills with one of these maximalist finishes


For most of us, our bed is our safe haven. And with the average person thought to spend a third of their lifetime in bed, it’s safe to say the way we dress it up makes a difference. While you might already have yours loaded up with fluffy pillows, soft blankets and fresh linens, we encourage you to look further north of the mattress. A statement headboard can perfectly tie your bedscaping plans together, making the room feel fun, coordinated and (most importantly) completely your own. 

The Case For A Statement Headboard

Headboards haven’t always had the best reputation, especially for those who associate them with the grand, floral decor of their grandmother’s house. But, believe it or not, chintzy maximalism is back – and your bed is coming along for the ride.

Today’s headboard is less of a design headache, and more a chic statement piece for the bedroom. Dressed in rattan, leather, velvet and printed fabrics (botanicals are well on their back in), this is the part of your bedscape where you can show off some personality.

Bedroom

Soho Home

Sophie Baker, Senior Designer at Soho House, tells us to think of a headboard as ‘the room’s central piece’ – the point that draws the eye and ties the room together. ‘In the bedroom, the bed is the anchor, so investing in a headboard delivers maximum impact with a single piece.’

She adds that a statement headboard should be ‘generous in scale, sculptural in silhouette, and rich in materiality.’ Here, maximalism takes centre stage: ‘Think arched or scalloped profiles, curves or bold geometrics – in velvet, linen, wool, leather, timber or cane – with piping, nailheads or timber frames. Colours range from jewel tones like emerald, garnet and indigo, to earthy neutrals and powdery pastels, often in solid blocks or timeless patterns.’

But this is never at the expense of other features of the room. ‘Aesthetically, it acts as a focal point that ties lighting, linens and fabrics together,’ notes Sophie.

‘A good headboard offers character while acting as anchor for the rest of the colour scheme,’ agrees Fred Horlock, Design Director at Neptune. He highlights that the options for bespoke details also make headboards an appealing choice for the bedroom. ‘As people strive for more bespoke personality-led design options, a statement headboard provides a wonderful opportunity to incorporate a favourite fabric, colour or pattern without overwhelming the space.

‘They look great in homes of all styles and eras, making them a desirable and versatile piece of furniture.’

Printed statement headboard

House of Hackney

Both designers also point out that, compared to other design options, a headboard comes with a bit more flexibility. ‘Unlike curtains or wallpaper, which may give the same results, a statement headboard can be moved easily from room to room, or house to house, making them a more flexible and adaptive investment,’ says Fred.

‘And because you can refresh the look around it seasonally, it becomes versatile and creates the constant comfort piece that can be elevated with different accessories,’ adds Sophie.

Still need some convincing? These are the designer headboards the C&TH team are loving right now.


The Edit: Statement Headboards

Gold patterned bed

Soho Home

Manette Bed, £7,695

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Bed with rattan headboard

OKA

Balabac King Size Headboard, £995

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Blue velvet headboard

Andrew Martin

Chloe Custom Made Headboard, £2,297

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Bedroom

Birdie Fortescue

King Rattan Headboard, £750

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Close up of statement patterned headboard and wall

Anbôise

Rookery Hall Headboard, £825

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Neutral toned bed

Neptune

Clemmie King Size Headboard, £595

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Castle themed bed with statement headboard

House of Hackney

Castle Bed, £13,500

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Blue bedroom

Morris & Co

Headboard In Bird Tapestry Fabric, £978

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Pink bedroom

Coco & Wolf

Hanging Headboard, £325

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Close up of bed

Sophie Conran

Wildwood Duck Egg Headboard, £1,895

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How To Find The Perfect Headboard

Size It Up

First things first: get out the measuring tape. (After all, you want something that actually fits.) ‘I would look at the scale and how to balance the height with ceiling lines and bedside lamps,’ says Sophie. ‘The width should also relate to the mattress and nightstands.’

‘A statement headboard should also be designed with the size of the bed in mind,’ adds Fred, ‘so it’s worth considering the height of the headboard and whether that will fit in proportion with the width of the bed.’

Throw Some Shapes

You can then move on to picking out the shape of the headboard. ‘Match the silhouette to the home’s language and identity – soft curves for a calming space or crisp lines for modernity, intricate profiles for classic romance,’ instructs Sophie.

Think About Fabrics

The right fabric can make or break your headboard dreams, says Sophie, who says we should prioritise the tactile feel – since this will take a major role in your wind-down space. Think ‘sumptuous weaves for tactility, dark velvets for a warmer scheme and lighter linens for a fresher and more summery feel.’

… And Colours

Colour will also play a part in setting the tone of your bedscape. Remember, a lot of headboards can be made completely bespoke – ‘they can harmonise with the wall or create confident contrast,’ adds Sophie – meaning there’s room for neutrals, bold hues and even eclectic prints in your plans.

Timeless Over Trends

But if you can, steer clear of microtrends. ‘I would always advise to go with something timeless to your inherent style,’ emphasises Sophie. ‘A headboard is an investment that can be styled around seasonally but acts as an anchor of style and personality.’

Consider The Fixings

Headboards are a really fun part of interior design, but there are practicalities that need to be considered. Top of the list? The fit and fixings. ‘You can get headboards that fix to the wall or onto your bed base,’ notes Fred. ‘It is worth considering which option is best for you – are your walls strong enough to hold a headboard? Does your bed base have the correct fixings in place to attach one?’ Use this to guide your overall decision.

More sensible things to consider include sockets, sconces and any additional lighting you’d like added.

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