Think of your headboard as the crown of your bed: it’s an opportunity to make a statement, protect your walls and head, and even incorporate a clever storage solution.
While this staple piece of furniture is often an afterthought in bedroom design, that’s all about to change in your home. From gorgeous wooden frames that double as bookshelves to extended patterned headboards that act as feature walls in their own right, they’re more than a redundant accessory.
To help you find the prettiest (and most practical) headboard ideas for your bedroom, I’ve collated 12 of my favourite ideas below and spoken with interior design experts on how to make them work.
1. Zone your bedroom with a headboard partition wall
If you're designing a large bedroom and want to create a clear distinction between two areas – say, the dressing area and the sleeping quarter – a headboard partition wall is a good way about it, as shown in the example above.
"A partition board adds structure without building a full wall; it zones the bed while keeping the room visually open. It’s a smart way to introduce texture and materiality, timber, upholstery, even stone, without major construction," says Miriam Prada, Founder of Miriam Prada Interiors.
"If planned ahead, it's a great opportunity to hide wiring or help create symmetry behind bedside tables. If there’s enough space, you can even add a desk behind the headboard, making the best use of every millimetre in the room."
Miriam Prada, is the founder of Miriam Prada Interiors, and has over 15 years’ experience delivering bespoke residential interiors across the UK and internationally. From multi-million-pound projects to personalised online consultancy, every service offered is tailored and bespoke.
2. Create a bookshelf headboard for easy bedtime reading
There's nothing better than curling up with a good book before bedtime, and this headboard idea keeps your beloved titles in a convenient place above your head, within arm's reach.
The example above is much more than just your standard headboard – the book nook acts as both a design feature and a practical storage solution, with the colourful paperbacks and ornaments complementing the salmon colour of the frame.
There are plenty of pre-made options available, but if you decide to DIY it, keep in mind that a standard paperback measures 17×10.8 cm, while hardbacks are typically around 24×16 cm.
This gorgeous rattan headboard is abundant in storage, featuring a full-width compartment and three slots on each side.
3. Illuminate your headboard with thoughtful lighting
Whether you're reading a book before going to sleep or trying to find your glass of water in the middle of the night, bedroom lighting plays an important role – and it's especially convenient when it's placed inside or beside your headboard.
"When it comes to selecting lighting for headboards, wall lights and pendants both work particularly well, combining practical illumination while keeping the space around the bed uncluttered. Pendants can add a stronger design statement when hung low beside the bed," says Massimo Buster Minale, Founder and Creative Director of Buster + Punch.
"From a practical standpoint, dimmers are essential; they allow the same fittings to shift from functional task lighting to a softer, ambient glow, making the bedroom feel more comfortable and considered throughout the day and night."
Get the look above by adding smart LED strips behind your headboard.
Massimo Buster Minale is an architect, industrial designer and the founder and creative director of Buster + Punch. Established over a decade ago, his London-born label has grown into a leading global name in interior detailing, acclaimed for its use of solid metal to turn everyday fittings into bold design statements with an unmistakable attitude.
4. Use an extended headboard as a luxurious focal point
By choosing an extended headboard design, as shown in the photo above, you'll create a glamorous focal point without having to work too hard. This example comes in a lovely upholstered material that continues under the bedframe and can be customised in a range of patterns and colours.
“An extended headboard can work well in a variety of spaces. For instance, they work well in large bedrooms, specifically when the space feels empty or disconnected. A wide or tall headboard anchors the bed and visually fills the space, making the room feel intentional rather than sparse," says Melissa Denham, Interior Design Expert at Hammonds Furniture.
“Those who favour a minimalist aesthetic may appreciate an extended headboard as they create clean lines and a built-in look. They also often double as a statement design feature, reducing the need for extra wall decor.”
With over two decades of experience designing and delivering interior projects, Melissa creates stunning interiors for residential projects as well as events, workspaces and showroom staging. She aids clients in creating their vision of a dream space through her interior design expertise and creative eye.
5. Create the illusion of space with a mirrored headboard
Mirrors are a classic trick for making a space feel bigger and brighter, and one way to include them in your bedroom design is by attaching them to your headboard (or buying one where they are pre-installed).
"Even if your headboard doesn’t incorporate mirrors, you can place a horizontal strip above the headboard, creating the effect of a wider room. It’s a subtle way to add brightness without committing to a mirrored headboard and is especially effective in narrow rooms where you want to draw the eye sideways," says Melissa Denham.
“On the other hand, if your room feels small or has low ceilings, opt for tall, narrow mirrors on each side of the headboard. This creates the illusion of height, and will bounce light from bedside lamps, making the room feel more spacious.”
6. Match your headboard to wooden flooring
Create a seamless transition from your headboard to the flooring by choosing a matching wooden style that meets the floor. In the example above, the homeowners selected a natural sandy blonde finish, which blends beautifully with the hard wood floors.
“Try complementing a wooden headboard with other timber elements in the bedroom to create a sense of natural warmth. One of the most effective ways to do this is by choosing the same or similar grain of wood to match your built-in bedroom wardrobes, which helps the space feel cohesive and balanced," says Melissa Denham.
Hygiene is another benefit. While fabric headboards tend to collect dust and can be tricky to clean, wood can be wiped down easily and is a durable choice that will last for many years.
7. Turn your headboard into a display piece
If your beautiful trinket collection is gathering dust in a forgotten cupboard, now is the time to let it shine with headboard built-in storage. A bedroom is a deeply personal space, so there's no better way to showcase these precious objects that tell the story of your life.
"I always think it's best to lean into the concept and display items that add to the ambience of the room. Large ornaments and objets, beautiful books, small potted house plants and neat decorative items bring a lovely personal touch," says Francesca Leat of Francesca Leat Interiors.
"I would avoid day-to-day clutter such as phone chargers, and cold and flu medicines that are typically found on a bedside. Instead, opt for some concealed storage to stash these away!"
Francesca Leat is the Owner, Director and Head Designer of Francesca Leat Interiors, a boutique studio renowned for crafting timeless, elegant residential spaces that balance beauty, comfort and functionality. With over a decade of experience, Francesca has developed a distinctive design approach rooted in thoughtful detail, rich colour palettes and bespoke finishes that reflect each client’s personality and lifestyle.
8. Fit a shelf above your headboard
Since I don’t have space for a table on each side of my bed, I’ve accumulated a pile of stuff on top of my headboard, which doesn’t look the prettiest and often falls on my head. So when I saw this wooden shelf idea, I added it straight to my home wish list!
Whether you want to display pretty prints that tie into your design scheme or use it as a practical storage unit, this versatile bedroom shelving idea can be used in many ways and is very easy and inexpensive to install.
No one wants to be woken up by heavy books and ornaments crashing onto their face, so always check the manufacturer’s weight limit before filling it with heavy objects and ensure it’s anchored into wall studs. You’ll also want to place it high enough to avoid banging your head.
Floating shelves I've got my eye on
This chunky slab of oak would make a beautiful floating shelf, and comes in sizes from 40cm to 250cm.
Available in pink, green, mustard and taupe, this pretty scalloped shelf can be hung in two different ways.
This wall-mounted picture shelf can be placed on headboards, windows, and radiators, and features a lip to prevent objects from falling.
9. Use a headboard as a half-wall partition
If you like the idea of a partition headboard but are concerned about it blocking natural light, consider a half-wall instead. In the photo above, the headboard separates the sleeping area from the wardrobe and en-suite – without restricting the rooflights.
"Creating a freestanding partition board in the middle of the room can be a really beautiful showpiece. Benefits include integrated sockets and switches for a neat and contemporary feel – think USB charging points, reading lights and light switches for the rest of the room," says Francesca Leat.
"It also allows the opportunity for furniture to be concealed behind it, such as a dressing table or chest of drawers, and offers an alternative furniture layout for the space in general."
10. Add charm to your headboard with a canopy feature
Who said curtains are reserved just for windows? In this character-filled bedroom by Laura Ashley, a floral-print canopy is draped over the headboard, giving it its shape. This is a great way to add a dramatic backdrop to your bed and liven up a simple design.
According to Miriam Prada, this idea originates from medieval interiors, where canopies were designed to bring warmth, privacy and status to a home – and we’re now seeing them become more common in modern bedrooms.
"When made from lightweight fabrics, such as sheers, bed canopies feel airy and architectural, making them good for smaller bedrooms and contemporary interiors. When made from heavier fabrics, they create a more dramatic, enveloping effect, best suited to larger bedrooms or period homes."
11. Extend your headboard panelling across the wall
Accentuate the width of your bedroom by installing a headboard panel across the entire wall. You don’t have to spend a fortune to make this idea look good – materials can be picked up for as little as £15–£45 per metre, according to Wall Panels World.
In the photo above, the white panelling is placed across the back wall, helping to stretch the room visually and make it appear bigger than it really is. The green and white colour scheme is echoed in accessories such as the lampshade and bedding to stop the panelling from feeling isolated.
MDF is the cheapest and most popular choice for bedroom wall panelling and is very easy to work with. If you want to achieve a luxury finish, opt for real wood (but expect a luxury price tag).
12. Invest in a showstopping headboard design
Let your bed take centre stage by choosing a headboard with bold patterns and vibrant colours. This lotus-shaped design is inspired by Indian architecture and showcases a beautiful red and blue print that complements the wall behind it.
“Consider matching the fabric on the headboard with your bedroom wallpaper idea to create a statement wall. The continuity creates a sense of calm and cohesion, even when working with a bolder print," says Melissa Denham.
"The key is balancing scale and colour so that the space feels deliberate and curated, rather than random. For bigger bedrooms with higher ceilings, choose large prints, while smaller bedrooms are better suited to smaller prints. "
This custom-made headboard is an art piece in itself, featuring beautiful shades of orange and gold that resemble a sunset.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to experiment with headboard ideas and make them a core part of your bedroom design, rather than just a side character.
For more inspiration, take a look at some of our editors' favourite bedroom ideas, or learn how to achieve the perfect bedroom layout.
