The headboard is the first thing you see in a bedroom and the backrest you use every night. A good headboard design makes the bed look finished, protects the wall from marks and can hold lights and storage. There are two broad choices: a headboard attached to the bed, or a headboard panel built onto the wall behind it. Here are the main designs.

Headboard designs

  • Upholstered headboard: fabric or leatherette over foam; soft to lean on and quiet. Plain, piped or panelled.
  • Channel-tufted headboard: vertical padded channels; a modern classic that suits most bedrooms.
  • Fluted or slatted wood: vertical wooden flutes or slats in veneer or laminate; warm and easy to clean.
  • Chevron and geometric panels: wood or upholstery in chevron, herringbone or arches for a feature wall.
  • Full-wall headboard panel: a panel that runs the width of the wall, often with side tables and lights built in. See bed back wall design.
  • Storage headboard: shallow shelves or cabinets above or around the bed for books and chargers.
Bed with beige fluted headboard under a backlit round artwork, Vivek’s home at Assetz 63 Degree East (3D design)
3D design visualisation prepared for a ModScale client, not a photograph of a completed home. See the full design.

Height and size

  • A bed-mounted headboard usually rises about 36 to 48 inches above the floor.
  • A wall panel can go up to 6 or 7 feet, or to the ceiling for a dramatic look.
  • Extend the panel beyond the bed on both sides to include the side tables.
  • Keep any shelf above the bed high enough that you do not hit your head when sitting up.
Bedroom with teal chevron headboard, globe pendants and study desk, Rakesh and Namrata’s villa (3D design)
3D design visualisation prepared for a ModScale client, not a photograph of a completed home. See the full design.

Materials and care

  • Choose a stain-resistant, easy-clean fabric for upholstered headboards; hair oil marks are common.
  • Wood and laminate panels are the easiest to maintain.
  • Use BWP plywood for any built-in panel or storage.
  • For allergies or humid rooms, wood or leatherette is easier to keep clean than fabric.

Lighting the headboard

A hidden LED strip above or behind the headboard gives a soft glow for the evening, and wall-mounted reading lights or pendants on each side free up the side tables. Plan switches on both sides of the bed during electrical work.

Kids bed with scalloped padded headboard below a pink and aqua painted wall, Santhosh’s home at Prestige City Meridian Park (3D design)
3D design visualisation prepared for a ModScale client, not a photograph of a completed home. See the full design.

Kids headboards

Scalloped, cloud or house-shaped padded headboards are fun, but choose a shape that can grow with the child or a panel that can be re-covered later. More ideas in kids room decor ideas, bed design ideas and bed design with storage.

Frequently asked questions

Which headboard is best for a bedroom?

An upholstered or channel-tufted headboard is the most comfortable to lean on, while fluted wood or laminate panels are the easiest to clean. Many bedrooms combine both.

How high should a headboard be?

A bed-mounted headboard is usually 36 to 48 inches from the floor. A wall panel can go much higher, up to the ceiling.

Should the headboard be part of the bed or the wall?

A wall panel gives a more finished look and can include side tables and lights. A bed-mounted headboard is simpler and moves with the bed.

How do I stop oil marks on a fabric headboard?

Choose a stain-resistant or leatherette finish, or add a removable cushion where your head rests.

Can lights be added to a headboard?

Yes. Hidden LED strips, wall reading lights or pendants on each side work well. Plan wiring and switches before the panel is built.

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