Stylish Bedroom Headboard Designs That Elevate Your Space

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The first serious headboard I ever shopped for was honestly just an excuse to browse every decor website known to humankind. I had no idea how much personality that one piece of furniture would bring to a bedroom until I saw a few styles for myself (some more successfully than others). If you’ve ever found yourself lost in a spiral of rattan, velvet, and tufted options, you’re definitely not alone.

A headboard can be so much more than a place to lean against while you read at night. It can set the tone for the rest of the room, like the frame of your bed, and brings in an extra layer of texture or color. Between all the mix-and-match possibilities, such as wood, woven, upholstered, or painted, it’s actually a pretty fun decision to make.

So if you’re ready for a little inspiration, here are some of my favorite bed headboard design ideas to help you find the perfect fit for your space.

Bamboo and Rattan Headboards

A well-decorated bedroom with a rattan headboard, green plants, and natural light streaming through sheer white curtains.

Rattan is making a huge comeback in bedroom designs lately.

These airy, textural headboards work in so many different styles, from coastal to boho. The natural tones pair beautifully with crisp white bedding or earthy color schemes, which is why they’re a staple in so many boho-style bedroom ideas.

A bright bedroom showcases a rattan headboard, colorful patterned pillows and throw, and a matching rug, creating a vibrant and eclectic space.

You can shop a wide range of beautiful rattan headboards on Amazon.

A cozy bedroom featuring a canopy bed with sheer curtains, a wooden nightstand, and a rattan headboard.

A bedroom features a rattan headboard against a dark wall, complemented by neutral bedding, woven wall hangings, and a wicker pendant light.

A graphic showcasing twelve different styles of Rattan headboard finds, ranging from classic arches to intricate floral and geometric designs.

👉 Looking for boho style headboards? Shop my favorite rattan headboards here.

A bedroom features a rattan headboard and matching bench, a canopy over the bed, a vibrant tropical mural, and numerous potted plants, creating a bohemian and nature-inspired retreat.

Solid Wood Headboards

The simplicity of a wood headboard creates the perfect foundation for any bedroom style.

Simple wood panels offer clean lines for a modern look, while understated finishes feel especially at home in Scandinavian bedroom ideas that prioritize warmth and minimalism.

A clean minimalist bedroom with a light wooden headboard.

I used a walnut finish in our guest room because it plays well with virtually any bedding color or pattern.

A sleek modern bedroom featuring a walnut wood headboard and minimalist decor.

Wood slat headboards

Vertical wood slats are having a serious moment in modern bedroom design. They add subtle texture while still keeping things sleek and minimal, and work really well in an earthy minimalist bedroom aesthetic.

I’ve seen this style pop up in everything from Scandinavian-inspired spaces to more moody, modern looks. The rhythm of the slats draws your eye upward, which helps the room feel taller, especially if you’re working with low ceilings.

Luxurious bedroom with deep green accent wall, arched wood headboard, and dark wood slats.

This look works best when the rest of the decor is pared-back. Think: natural linens, warm wood tones, and clean-lined furniture. In one of our bedrooms, I used a deep forest green behind the slats and it gave the whole wall so much depth.

For an easy, non-DIY option, have a look wood slat headboards on Amazon.

Minimalist bedroom with oak slats headboard, white bedding, and taupe-beige walls creating a serene look.

Reclaimed Wood Options

Each reclaimed wood headboard has its own personality and history. The weathered planks, visible knots, and unique patina (=a naturally aged finish) create a focal point that’s impossible to replicate.

A modern bedroom featuring a reclaimed wood headboard with a rustic patina against white walls and neutral decor.

👉 My top tip: Before mounting a reclaimed wood headboard, seal it with a clear matte finish. This prevents any rough edges and makes dusting much easier.

Leather Headboards

A modern bedroom with a tan leather headboard, clean lines, and warm mid-century decor.

Looking for something sophisticated yet practical? A leather headboard might be your perfect match!

A well-decorated bedroom with a large tufted leather headboard in rich brown, neutral bedding, matching nightstands with lamps, and a cozy armchair.

The material develops a beautiful patina (i.e. weathered look) over time and only gets better with age. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to maintain: just wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Check out the leather headboards available on Amazon.

A neatly made bed with a large, tufted headboard in a light brown, diamond-patterned fabric, with white and gray bedding and a wooden nightstand beside it.

Classic Tufted Designs

A serene bedroom with a beige tufted headboard and cozy, textured bedding.

If you’re aiming for a luxurious hotel-like feeling in your bedroom, consider a tufted headboard. The deep button details create such beautiful dimension and depth!

A luxurious bedroom features a tufted headboard with gold accents, plush velvet bedding in shades of burgundy and pink, and a faux fur throw, creating an opulent and inviting space.

A bedroom with a tufted blue velvet headboard, matching blue pillows, and wall sconces on either side of the bed.

Channel Upholstered Panels

A luxurious bedroom with a green channel headboard, vibrant bedding, and gold accents.

Channel tufting offers a fresh take on the traditional upholstered headboard. The clean lines can run vertically to make your ceiling feel taller, or horizontally to visually widen your space.

A bedroom with a large, upholstered headboard in a deep red color, a comfortable-looking bed with white linens, and a neutral color scheme.

A bedroom with a pink velvet headboard, a sheer canopy over the bed, and a large plant in the corner.

This style really shines in rich fabrics like velvet or linen. You can find some amazing-looking velvet headboards on Amazon.

A bed with a luxurious green velvet headboard.

Color-Block Upholstery

Ready to make a bold statement? A color-blocked headboard combines two or more fabrics for maximum impact. The key is choosing colors that tie into your existing decor, such as pulling shades from your artwork or accent pillows.

A neatly made bed with a colorful, geometric headboard, white bedding, and pink bed skirt, accompanied by bedside tables with books and decorative items.

If you like bold colors in your bedroom, check out my post with maximalist bedroom ideas.

🙌 My favorite trick: Order fabric samples and pin them to your existing headboard or tape them to the wall. Live with the colors for a few days before making your final decision.

A modern bedroom with a bold color-block headboard in navy and mustard yellow, paired with sleek decor.

Almelo-Style Headboards

A modern bedroom with a large bed, curved headboard, wooden slat accent wall, and soft natural lighting.

Sometimes the simplest designs make the biggest impact. Almelo headboards prove this with their clean lines and minimal detailing. The streamlined silhouette works beautifully in both modern and more classic spaces.

A neatly arranged bedroom with a large, curved, padded headboard in beige, white bedding, a gray throw blanket, and a modern nightstand with a lamp and decorative items.

Fabric-Tacked Details

A bedroom featuring a bed with striped bedding and a beige headboard, framed abstract art above, and a white bedside table with potted plants illuminated by soft natural light.

Decorative tacks turn a simple upholstered headboard into something special. The metallic details catch the light and add definition to the edges.

A modern bedroom with a unique asymmetrical, curved wooden headboard, white and light gray bedding, a light blue upholstered chair, a small side table, a potted plant, and a patterned rug.

Silver tacks feel modern and fresh, while brass ones add a traditional touch.

A chic bedroom with a fabric-tacked headboard in gray and silver detailing, complemented by minimalist decor.

Geometric Pattern Headboards

A striking modern bedroom with a black-and-white chevron-patterned geometric headboard and minimal furnishings.

The right angles and clean lines of a geometric headboard create an instant focal point. These modern designs range from simple diagonal patterns to complex tessellated shapes.

A modern bedroom with a clean aesthetic, featuring white bedding, a geometric-patterned headboard, and a wooden chair on the left.

A minimalist bedroom corner featuring a beige padded headboard, a white duvet, and a wooden chair with a light and airy feel.

The key is to keep your bedding simple to let the geometric design shine.

A modern bedroom with a geometric wooden headboard featuring triangular patterns, styled with pastel accents.

Mirrored Headboards

A modern bedroom with a frameless mirrored headboard and bold dark tones in the bedding and lighting.

Want to make your bedroom feel larger and brighter? A mirrored headboard reflects light beautifully while adding a touch of glamour. These work particularly well in smaller rooms or spaces with limited natural light.

A stylish bedroom features a white bed with a beige throw, a mirror headboard, a wooden nightstand with a sculpture, books, and a lamp with a beige shade.

A luxurious bedroom with a reflective mirrored headboard and soft, elegant decor.

Painted and Artistic Headboards

Looking for something completely unique? A painted headboard that extends onto your wall creates an artistic focal point that’s truly one-of-a-kind. From whimsical florals to serene landscapes, these designs blur the line between headboard and wall art.

A cozy bedroom with a nature-themed mural on the wall behind a neatly made bed, featuring multiple pillows and a bedside table with a lamp.

I love how the mountain mural (pictured above) creates a calming backdrop while still making a statement. For a more dramatic look, try vibrant colors and patterns like the artistic panel with its mix of botanical and geometric elements (pictured below).

A vibrant bedroom with a colorful mural of a large plant and abstract patterns, set against blue walls, and a white bedspread with a decorative feather pillow.

🙌 My favorite trick: Before committing to a painted design, tape kraft paper to your wall in the size of your planned headboard and sketch out your idea.

Industrial-Style Options

A sleek industrial bedroom with a black steel headboard and minimal gray-toned decor.

Metal headboards create a bold statement in any bedroom. I’m particularly drawn to blackened steel for its timeless quality, while copper adds warmth to the industrial aesthetic.

A bedroom with an industrial and rustic design, featuring a metal bed frame with leather panels and an exposed brick wall.

These materials look especially good when paired with soft bedding textures.

Explore metal industrial headboards on Amazon for some affordable options.

A sleek industrial bedroom featuring a perforated black metal headboard, concrete walls, and dark bedding.

Headboards with Built-in Shelves

A stylish bedroom with striped bedding, abstract art above the bed, and potted plants on a shelf behind.

A shelf headboard combines storage and style in one piece. I added one to our guest room, and it’s such a practical spot for books and small decor.

A neatly arranged shelf with various pieces of artwork and decorative items, including paintings, photographs, vases, and sculptures, with a bed below it.

A minimalist bedroom with a white headboard incorporating shelves for subtle decor and functionality.

The key is to keep the styling simple and uncluttered.

A functional bedroom with a built-in shelf headboard styled with books and plants, offering a sleek and practical look.

Headboards with Integrated Lighting

Built-in lighting changes the whole feel of a bedroom. These headboards put the light exactly where you need it for reading, and they keep your nightstand free for other essentials.

The clean look of hidden wiring makes such a difference in the overall design.

A modern, stylish bedroom with a white bed against a wooden headboard featuring geometric LED lighting, a nightstand with books and a plant, a cream-colored armchair, and a floor lamp, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Pallet Wood Projects

Pallet wood headboards bring a rustic charm to a bedroom. The natural wood tones add warmth to a space, and the boards work in various patterns, from straight horizontal lines to herringbone designs.

A cozy bedroom features a bed made from wooden pallets, adorned with white bedding and a black-and-white zigzag pillow, with a potted plant and a softly lit headboard adding to the minimalist decor.

A coat of wood sealant in a matte finish helps protect the surface while maintaining that organic look.

A cozy bedroom featuring a warm-toned pallet wood headboard with plaid bedding and a soft glow.

Woven Textile Designs

One option to add texture to a room is to turn to woven headboards.

You can create one using a simple frame and interesting materials like thick yarn, jute rope, or even leather strips. The natural variations in the weaving pattern make each piece unique.

A calming bedroom with a woven linen headboard in neutral tones, styled with soft beige decor and natural lighting.

🙌 My favorite trick: I like to lay out my weaving pattern on the floor first. It helps me visualize the final design and makes sure I have enough material before I start.

A Scandinavian-style bedroom with a simple woven felt headboard in soft gray tones and minimalist decor.

Final Thoughts

After trying numerous headboards in my own home, I’ve learned that choosing the right one comes down to three main factors: size, style, and function. Your headboard should extend slightly beyond your mattress width – about 3-4 inches on each side looks best. Height depends on your ceiling height and personal preference, but the key is balance: not so short that your bed feels dwarfed, and not so tall that it overwhelms the room.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to find a headboard style that works perfectly in your space!

And here are even more bedroom design ideas: