Choosing the Right Headboard

Headboards are often one the most overlook accessories for your bedroom, but the can play a massive role in shaping and creating the perfect atmosphere. (If you want to know about how to choose the right headboard for your bedroom take a look at our quick guide to bedroom basics.)

While headboards were originally used to ensure that your head was protected from the cold bricks behind your bed, modern heating systems have transformed the headboard into a status symbol and essential bedroom decoration. Aside from their aesthetic value, today headboards still have a utilitarian use by keeping your bed linen tucked in and keeping your pillows closer to the sleeper and prevents them slipping off the back of the bed.

But choosing the right kind of headboard goes beyond just worrying about whether it will match your decor - choosing between a wooden or upholstered headboard is an important choice.

While both types of headboards have great visual appeal, upholstered headboards make it more comfortable sit and read or watch television by giving you something to lean or lie against. If you are very tall then you should also consider a padded headboard over a wooden one in case you accidentally bump your head in bed.

However if you have dogs that like to jump on the bed then a wooden headboard is a better idea as they are less likely to get damaged from dogs' claws. They are also easier to clean and remove pet hair from. Of course if you have cats that like to turn everything into a scratching post you might have to keep a spray bottle nearby to prevent them turning your beautiful headboard into a new toy.

If you are worried about dust or allergens, then an upholstered faux leather or wooden headboard is the right choice for you as it is also very easy to clean - just vacuum it once a week or use a dust cloth on your wooden headboard. While fabric headboards are just as easy to clean, they sometime require more frequent cleaning.

Fabric and upholstered headboards also have an advantage over wooden ones in the sense that there is more variety of fabrics and colours than you would get from a wooden headboard. That being said, a wooden headboard definitely has gravitas! However wooden headboards are by their nature more durable and will more than likely be with you your entire life or until your tastes change!

Find out more about our headboards and browse our extensive range at The Bed King's Headboard section!