Headboard Ideas: 21 dramatic headboard designs for a striking bedroom scheme
These striking headboard ideas favour the bold. From headboards that stretch wall-to-wall to ones that touch the ceiling, and from unusual materials to sumptuous textures, these are Livingetc's favourite headboard designs...

These headboard ideas aren't for the faint hearted. From headboard that curl around the bed to cocoon it to headboards that stretch right up to the ceiling, and from wild pattern to scalloped silhouettes and clever designs that incorporate hidden storage, these headboard ideas favour the bold.
A statement headboard will add some five star luxe to your modern bedroom.
Statement headboards are a wonderful opportunity to introduce beautiful fabrics or gorgeous embroideries – and because they don’t require metres and metres of material, you can indulge in the most expensive fabrics to make a splash.
If you're going for an upholstered headboard, ensure the look stays modern by using graphic fabrics, clashing colours or cool quilting.
Of course there are other options, such as built-in headboards with extra depth for storage, whether that's a chic recess for stashing the latest best sellers and balancing your morning coffee, or a wall of his and hers cupboards like the examples ahead.
For added luxe why not commission a built-in statement headboard with hidden wiring and electrics for hotel-style, easy access, bedside lighting.
Scroll down to get inspired by some of our favourite headboard ideas – these latest looks will turn your bed head into the focal point of your room scheme.
See more modern bedroom ideas
1. Scalloped, fluted texture
This stunning bespoke headboard, designed by Irene Gunter, taps into the trend for lozenge shapes. We love the headboard's scalloped silhouette and fluted texture – like tall fingers. The beauty of this room also lies in its eclectic mix of different patterns, and the appearance of vintage touches alongside contemporary style. A soft pink on the walls makes a soothing backdrop.
Get the look: Design by Gunter & Co. Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster is a similar paint colour. Livia bedside cabinet, £595, Ceraudo. Kelly Wearstler Linden medium lamp, £685, Visual Comfort at Decolight
2. Create the unexpected
This green velvet headboard wraps around fitted shelves, adding colour, glamour and drama. Low hanging pendant lamps on either side offer an out-of-the-box approach to bedside reading lights. See more bedroom lighting ideas...
Get the look: The map wallpaper is by Love Maps On… The bespoke headboard was designed by Paul and Tim and made by Material Concepts. This is the Tribeca Duane pendant light by Søren Rose for Menu at Nest. The bespoke Andwoodcraft side table includes a Buster + Punch pull handle.
3. Consider built-in storage
This zesty upholstered headboard really packs a punch against the calm surroundings in this master bedroom. Behind the plush surface, the headboard conceals handy hidden shelving for night-time reading.
Get the look: The bed was designed by Slices London, including its headboard upholstered in Birdbranch Velvet Panel fabric by Timorous Beasties. This is a Mod 265 wall light by Paolo Rizzatto for Arteluce.
See Also: Fabulous Four Poster Bed Ideas
4. Choose tufted texture for a traditional touch
This eclectic bedroom design was inspired by Kit Kemp. The bedroom curtains are heavy but work well to block the light. The headboard was designed by Champalimaud. Its colour echoes the artwork from Nova Scotia, where the yellow figurine on the table was also found.
Get the look: Curtain fabric, Osborne & Little. Bedside table, Tom Dixon. Throw, Warris Vianni & Co. Figurine, Barry Colpitts. Artwork, Joe Sleep.
The padded headboard below hits new heights with a luxurious clash of colourful fabric. Tufting gives it lots of texture, while the height of it adds drama and accentuates the ceiling height.
Get the look: Designers Guild’s Astrakhan in Magenta, £182 per m, would be a great starting point for this look.
5. Wraparound for a cocooning feel
Curved shapes and lush textures have a cocooning effect that can be relaxing and sleep-inducing. Look for stain-resistant velvet for longevity. The toffee hue shown here chimes with the trend for earthy hues.
Get the look: Hepworth bed, £1,384, Livingetc x Love Your Home
6. Fake it
Fake a headboard with a room screen instead, and use it to frame the bed area. For a laid-back vibe, drape it with a fabric and cocoon yourself in linen.
Get the look: Shown here is Lucent in Chalk, £68.50 per m, Romo.
7. Paint effects
You can also fake a headboard with paint effects. Not exactly a headboard but we love the striking geometric paint pattern behind this bed.
Get the look: See Crown's clashing yet tonal paint colours
8. Use a headboard as a room divider
The integrated bed and storage below was designed to give a feeling of “his and hers”, with two different colours and a delicate flower motif etched into the surface. Concealed behind the headboard / wall of cupboards is a walk-in wardrobe and dressing room.
Get the look: The bed and cupboard unit are by Prototype Design Lab. Andy Denzler created the artwork.
Meanwhile the wood partition wall below divides the room and blends in with the wooden four poster bed.
Get the look: For similar bed linen, The White Company.
9. Patterned fabrics
Inject some pattern into your bedroom with an upholstered, patterned headboard design. A patterned headboard is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can tie a colour scheme together, as you can choose a pattern that incorporates a variety of colours – or choose the fabric first, then complement the design by choosing the bedroom wall colour, bedroom curtains, accent cushions and rug in the same shades.
Get the look: Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room pink is similar.
The girls' bedroom by Singapore-based interior designer Elizabeth Hay below features a confined colour palette to give a considered scheme. A statement headboard completes the look. We love the pattern clash – it works as the colour palette is the same.
Get the look: Design by Elizabeth Hay. Headboard by Ensemblier London; covered in Small Elephant fabric by Les Indiennes
10. Sumptuous velvet
A midnight blue headboard makes this bed a sumptuous space to sleep. An industrial-style pendant light looks perfectly at home alongside the more traditional panelled wall.
Get the look: the pendant is from Buster + Punch
11. Antique woods for vintage glamour
The owners of this home say their friends joke this bedroom looks like it's from the WWII years, but they love its vintage glamour. The antique wooden bed might look frumpy in cluttered, floral, chintzy spaces but with simple white bedding, a modern bedroom wallpaper and modern bedroom lighting it works.
Get the look: Find dark wooden headboards at Perch & Parrow
12. A modern take on wooden headboards
A matt black headboard unit works as a functional focal point in this master bedroom. The headboard also hides a practical shelf for a changing array of art.
Get the look: The unit is bespoke by The Vawdrey House, with Bert Frank Shear wall lights. The cushions are from John Lewis. The blanket is from Hermès. The paintings are by Michel Thompson.
13. Warm metallics for a super glam look
In this master bedroom, high skirtings are worked into a darkly glam space, its surfaces glowing in deep teal, brass and matt-black timber. But the piece de resistance is the luminous brass headboard.
Get the look: The headboard and bed are by B&B Italia. The wardrobe area and carpet are bespoke by Andy Martin Architecture. The Habibi side table is by Philipp Mainzer for e15. The line drawing is a Matisse lithograph.
14. Handy built-in shelving
Simple but dramatic statements reflect architect Christina Seilern’s flair for stop-and-stare design – an acid green headboard with built-in storage and lighting dominates.
Get the look: For specialist advice on bespoke skylights, try IQ Glass. The headboard was designed by Studio Seilern Architects. The cashmere throw is from The Conran Shop. The artwork is from Gagosian Gallery.
15. Framed headboard for a sleek look
Designer Amelie von Celsing wanted the bed to be the main feature in this mall bedroom. A bespoke headboard with specially chosen fabric creates a distinct focal point.
Get the look: The headboard is upholstered in Navaho Grey fabric by Andrew Martin. The side cabinet is from Swoon. The light is from Menu.
16. Add interest by framing the bed area
This wood-covered wall frames the bed and headboard, and features beautiful built-in floating bedside tables with drawer storage.
Get the Look: For a dramatic backdrop, the walls are painted in Fired Earth’s Mercury matt emulsion. A graphic bedspread by Custhom and bedside lamps from Atomic Antiques with custom-made fringed shades add to the inimitable effect. The Prom Queen 3 painting is by Sara Berman.
17. Quilted headboard
A tall headboard upholstered in quilted velvet lends a luxe feel to this bedroom.
Get the look: The headboard was upholstered in quilted velvet by Minale + Mann. The pink bed linen from Loaf is teamed with a Fringe throw in Soft Grey by The Linen Works at Heal’s. The Valencia side table is by BoConcept.
18. Buttoned headboard
The bedroom is a sanctuary – overall, the style is a gentle mix of contemporary and retro. The buttoned headboard adds texture and complements the blue bedroom walls.
Get the look: The Méchants Oiseaux wallpaper is by Emery & Cie. The rug is from The Rug Company and the Moon side table is by Ochre. For similar cushions, try Voyage. Button & Sprung has a good selection of beds with buttoned headboards.
19. Extra tall
A black border around the trim of this super-tall number frames the pretty floral print on the upholstery. The headboard is extra tall, adding elegance and grandeur.
Get the look: This is The Sofa & Chair Company’s Chopin headboard, from £1,165, covered in Mariola in Jade, £55 per m, Romo.
20. Influenced by nature
Organic shapes and natural materials result in a peaceful sleeping zone. But this idea is taken up a notch in this master bedroom, where the headboard is made from a giant slab of wood, cut straight from the tree.
Get the look: Whetstone Oak’s live-edge headboard, £2,430, makes an epic contrast with the close-up bark wallpaper.
21. Twin headboards
These twin beds were ebay finds, joined together to make a double.
Get the look: The French Bedroom Company has a great selection of antique reproductions. The wallpaper is Cow Parsley by Cole & Son, £76 per roll.
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