15 headboard ideas that will make a major statement in any bedroom
A headboard - be it a DIY headboard or something high-end and upholstered – is one of the easiest pieces of furniture you can update to make a statement in your bedroom design scheme. Particularly if you're the owner of a divan bed base that could do with a little makeover. While you might not feel the need to invest in an entirely new bed frame, your practical (yet dull) divan low platform bed can be enhanced in seconds with a stylish, statement-making headboard.
What is the point of headboards?
Aside from injecting personality into your bedroom scheme by acting as an accent wall – and giving you an affordable home decor update – the best headboards protect your wall against marks, abrasion and stains. What's more, cushioned headboards provide you with something comfortable to lean against when you're propped up in bed reading. Or TikTok scrolling.
Can you put a headboard on any bed frame?
Yes, unless your bed frame has a headboard built-in. Your headboard will also need to be size-compatible with the size of your bed frame. For example, a double headboard cannot be attached to a king-size bed frame.
What can I use instead of a headboard?
There are lots of headboard alternatives, hacks and decor ideas for you to consider, some of which we've listed in the gallery below. Hello, headboard project.
- Replace your existing headboard with a piece of wall art.
- A tapestry. This is idea in a small bedroom.
- Consider a painted headboard in a half-moon shape to crown your bed and jazz-up your white wall. It’s such an easy DIY hack – and you can shop from the best luxury paint brands here.
- Simply use your pillows and cushions. The best budget-friendly choice.
- Drape a tapestry on the wall for something eye-catching and bohemian.
- Use patterned wallpaper – in your guest bedroom or master.
- Use a room divider or dressing room partition – and a staple gun to attach it to the wall. You can buy these on Amazon.
- Use shelves.
- Create a gallery wall. We’ve got a tutorial for creating gallery walls which you might find useful.
- Repurpose a vintage door or wooden pallet.
What type of headboards are in style?
Rattan headboards reign supreme as the most popular interior design choice for minimalists right now - a shrewd way to introduce the bohemian interior trend into your bedroom without spending too much money. Made.com has a couple of wood headboards to offer: their Selin natural wooden headboard an affordable, sub-£100 choice. French online furniture store La Redoute also comes in highly recommended for headboards in all interior styles, but Rattan in particular. Their Cedak Rattan Cane Headboard is reduced from £295 to £179.40 right now, and handcrafted from rattan cane, it's practically screaming for a spot on your Instagram feed.
Elsewhere, velvet upholstered headboards à la Oliver Bonas (their velvet headboard is available in a plethora of rich, mood-boosting hues from orange to dusky pink and duck egg blue) are the perfect choice for the maximalists among you. Pair with a vibrant duvet cover, clashing scatter cushions and an expensive blanket and you're in for a striking affair.
We've taken it upon ourselves to hunt down the very best headboards of the highest quality in a variety of other styles you can shop today - from wooden headboards and rustic headboards to tufted headboards and upholstered headboards for every bed size. Single right through to king-sized. Consider your sleeping space complete.
After more bedroom ideas? Shop the best mattresses, best pillows and best duvets to take your set-up to the next level. For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
Scroll for our full edit of the best headboard ideas to make a major statement.
Decorative headboard ideas
Flora Dusty Pink Velvet Double Bed Headboard, £545, Oliver Bonas
Why we love it: Available in a whole plethora of vibrant hues, Oliver Bonas' velvet headboard is the best headboard maximalists. It is designed to be mounted on the wall above a king sized bed to really make a statement, and has an asymmetric silhouette which peaks in the middle. We can't get enough.
Dimensions: Height: 136 cm, Width: 140 cm, Depth: 8 cm.
Made from: High-quality velvet.Save when you shop for the best headboards with these Oliver Bonas discount codes.
Unique headboard ideas
Upholstered Kantha Headboard, WAS £269 NOW £211, Urban Outfitters
Why we love it: Opt for pattern if you're after something unique. You could either upholster a headboard in a fabric of your choice (Liberty has a wide selection of delicious fabrics by-the-roll), or, you could choose something which has already been upholstered. We adore this discounted headboard from Urban Outfitters which will inject all the boho vibes into your bedroom scheme. It has a curved silhouette and has been upholstered in a romantic floral fabric. All you need to do is mount it against your wall.
Dimensions: L: 156.2cm x W: 6.9cm x H: 74.9cm.
Made from: Mango wood, MDF, Cotton, Iron.
Wooden headboard ideas
Why we love it: While they're not particularly comfortable to lean against, a wooden headboard is a timeless choice. Either embark on a DIY project (you can fashion a really cool wooden headboard from an old painted door, wooden palette or garden trellis), or, invest in something handmade like this one from Etsy.
Dimensions: Height: 43cm, Depth: 4cm. Various widths available.
Made from: Untreated solid pine wood.
Painted headboard ideas
Bamboozle, from £5.50, Farrow & Ball
Why we love it: Go off-piste and try painting a half-circle or rectangle shape on your wall in a bright hue as a replacement for your traditional headboard. It'll draw attention to your bed, make a statement and a darker colour won't show wall marks so obviously. We love the new Bamboozle shade from Farrow & Ball for achieving the look.
Half moon headboard ideas
Walter Velvet Headboard, WAS £169 NOW £135.20, Dunelm
Why we love it: We love a half-moon headboard, and this one from Dunelm comes in at under £150 in the sale. Upholstered in a high-quality velvet and crafted with an arched design, it has rubber wood legs and can be mounted to the wall. It comes in two colours: a beautiful butterscotch orange and more understated navy blue.
Dimensions: Single: H 122cm x W 102cm, Double: H 142cm x W 147cm, Kingsize: H 147cm x W 162cm, Super Kingsize: H 157cm x W 191cm.
Made from: Wood and polyester.Save when you shop for the best headboards with these Dunelm discount codes.
Cheap DIY headboard ideas
Cream Mirna Celestial Tapestry, £32, Urban Outfitters
Why we love it: The idea of draping a tapestry or piece of brightly-coloured fabric above your bed is a really unique one – acting as a statement-making headboard alternative and injecting personality in bucketloads. This Urban Outfitters tapestry is one of the brand's bestselling, Astral-inspired and made from a cotton weave.
Dimensions: L: 152cm x W: 152cm.
Made from: 100% cotton.
Modern headboard ideas
The Scandi Double Headboard - Ash Linen Cotton Blend, £292, Cox & Cox
Why we love it: We love a linen cotton headboard for a stylish, modern bedroom – and this one from Cox & Cox is of exceptional quality. Best paired with crisp white linen, it'll remain timeless for decades to come.
Dimensions: Undisclosed.
Made from: Cotton linen.
Vintage fabric headboard ideas
Margo Velvet Headboard, £183.20, Dunelm
Why we love it: Oozing vintage vibes, the Margo velvet headboard from Dunlem is one of our favourite (and the most affordable) options if you're looking for fabric headboard ideas. Guaranteed to inject elegance into your bedroom, it has a piped arched design, can be easily mounted on any wall and has been upholstered in luxe velvet fabric.
Dimensions: Double: H 150cm x W 145cm, Kingsize: H 151.5cm x W 160cm, Super Kingsize: H 160cm x W 190cm.
Made from: Wood, polyester.Save when you shop for the best headboards with these Dunelm promo codes.
DIY headboard ideas
Pink, Beige and Eggplant Printed Canvas Screen, £120, Maisons du Monde
Why we love it: Who says you need to use an actual headboard to crown your bed? Consider propping a partition against your wall, behind your divan bed frame, to make a similar statement. This one from French furniture retailer Maisons du Monde blends pink, beige and aubergine hues to perfection.
Dimensions: Height 180 x Width 136 x Depth 2.5.
Made from: Canvas.
Wide headboard ideas
Murphy Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame With Bedside Tables, £1,299, Dreams
Why we love it: Headboards that spread wider than the width of your bed frame experiencing something of a renaissance right now, acting as more of a bedroom focal point that a headboard of standard width ever could. We're huge fans of this upholstered bed frame and headboard duo from Dreams which comes complete with built-in bedside tables.
Dimensions: A - Head-end width: 230cm, B - Head-end height: 114cm, C - Length: 209cm.
Made from: Undisclosed.
Upholstered headboard ideas
Richmond Cotton Headboard, from £750, The White Company
Why we love it: Made-to-order, The White Company's investment Richmond cotton headboard adds a decadent feel to any bedroom. It's available in various sizes and fabrics, has been hand buttoned and will perfectly compliment your linen bedding.
Dimensions: Double W147cm x D13cm, King W162cm x D13cm, Super King W192cm x D13cm, Emperor W212cm x D13cm, Headboard height 130cm or 154cm.
Made from: 100% cotton.
Rattan headboard ideas
Cedak Rattan Cane Headboard, WAS £299 NOW £179.40, La Redoute
Why we love it: Endlessly chic, this rattan headboard has been handcrafted in rattan cane - and can be purchased alongside other furniture from the Cedak range. We've got our eyes on this beautiful end-of-bed bench.
Dimensions: Length: 170cm, Height: 120cm, Depth: 6cm.
Made from: Rattan cane and plastic.Save when you shop for the best headboards with these La Redoute discount codes.
Single headboard ideas
John Lewis & Partners Theale Upholstered Headboard, £99, John Lewis
Why we love it: This single headboard boasts a simple design with curved edges and a seam detail across the top. It's also well padded for comfort, when you're sat reading your book in bed.
Dimensions: H52 x W90 x D4cm.
Made from: Frame: Chipboard. Fabric: 100% Polyester.Save when you shop for the best headboards with these John Lewis discount codes.
Velvet headboard ideas
Vertically Padded Velvet Headboard, £126.75, La Redoute
Why we love it: So. Chic. This velvet headboard is padded for comfort and will turn your bed frame into a bedroom centrepiece in seconds.
Dimensions: Single: 60cmx90cmx8cm, Small Double: 60cmx120cmx8cm, Double: 60cmx135cmx8cm, King: 60cmx150cmx8cm, Super King: 60cmx180cmx8cm.
Made from: Distressed Velvet.Save when you shop for the best headboards with these La Redoute discount codes.
Wool headboard ideas
Melbury Wool Headboard, from £900, The White Company
Why we love it: Another made-to-order headboard, this wool headboard from The White Company has been smoothly upholstered, with a sleek rounded edge, to ensure you find sitting up in bed wonderfully comfortable.
Dimensions: Double W147cm x D13cm, King W162cm x D13cm Super King W192cm x D13cm, Emperor W212cm x D13cm, Headboard height 130cm or 154cm.
Made from: 100% wool.
Master bedroom headboard ideas
Kensington Smoke Grey & Silver Premium Abstract Headboard, £1,199, Rowen Homes
Why we love it: If you really want to make a statement, consider an abstract headboard which stretches right up to the ceiling of your bedroom. Rowen Homes reign supreme in this arena, with this silver surround - made up of multi-tiled velvet squares in a beautiful smoke grey hue - our favourite.
Dimensions: Height: 200 cm, Double Width: 147 cm.
Made from: Undisclosed.
