Konstantina

The latest headboard design trends for a stylish sleep space

Posted on 2nd March 2025

Velvet fabrics, impressionist patterns and metal bedsteads – they’re all part of the current design ideas meant to transform your bed into a statement feature.

The bed is the focal point of your sleep space, so it needs to look the part. If you are planning a room refresh, we’re revealing the latest headboard design ideas leading the ‘bedaissance’ this year…

Calm and chic bedroom with an upholstered frame and mustard yellow wall panelling behind it. — Stripe scallop shade, £39.50, narrow stripe printed ruffle bedding set, from £35, printed floral geo ruffle edge bedding set, from £39.50, embroidered cushion, £29.50, floral bedspread, £110, all M&S.

Statement upholstery

Bold upholstered headboard designs in all kinds of shapes and patterns have been in the spotlight for months. And, they will certainly continue to be popular in 2025. But what if you could ‘dress’ your entire bed in your favourite fabric, too?

Modern bedroom design with a boucle upholstered bed frame, neutral linen and a tactile rug. — Sloane fluted king-size bed, £1499, Atkin and Thyme.

We’re now seeing more and more homeowners choosing to upholster their bed from head to… legs, with the fabrics incorporating everything from neutral or dark shades, to colourful and daring designs.

Alexandra Kerr, interior designer at Oka, says biophilic patterns – which took the interior world by storm in 2024 – will remain a firm favourite in upholstery this year, alongside velvet which is currently all the rage.

“Velvet is making a wonderful return in our bedrooms, and we’re seeing it move beyond the traditional cushion, now gracing larger pieces like stools, dressing table chairs, and even entire beds. Its texture has this marvellous way of bringing warmth and comfort to a space, wrapping the bed in a cosy, inviting embrace.”

Colourful scheme with a velvet bed frame, bow-patterned cushions and wallpaper and quirky decor. — Wisteria king-size bed frame in Wisteria Green, £899, Dfs.

And when it comes to bed head upholstery, Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs and Kelling Home, says that “curved, rounded and scalloped designs are proving very popular. They feel soft, warm and cosy and evoke a cocoon-like effect that makes you feel relaxed and restful. In terms of colour, rich reds, oranges and mustards are on the rise, whilst blues and greens are still ideal for a classic and timeless feel.”

Meanwhile, velvet pony and tufted designs also seem to be having a moment.

Upholstered headboard with scalloped edges in a teal bedroom. — Headboard design in Flori, Cherry Rose, £60 per metre, edged in Orissa Silk, colourway Black Red, James Hare.

Velvet headboard in a modern, mid-century scheme. — Bed head in Frieda in Tuscan Teal, £125 per metre, Romo.

Artwork-inspired

Bed head upholstery is one of the easiest ways to unleash your creativity. But many will now take this form of expression one step further, by opting for heads or headboard designs that look like proper works of art. Think oversized headboards depicting meadows and lakes – straight out of an impressionist painting – or heads upholstered in romantic floral patterns echoing the Arts and Crafts movement.

Arts and crafts bedroom design with wood furniture and patterned fabrics. — Thea bed with headboard in William Morris At Home African Marigold iron velvet fabric, from £1780, sofa.com.

Classic scheme with floral patterned soft furnishings, art work and vintage furniture. — Bed head in Fable fabric in Woodland, £118 per metre, Andrew Martin.

And if you’re a fan of modern art, how about defined geometric shapes or abstract motifs that turn your bedroom into an edgy or playful retreat? “The trend to create beds which are artwork in themselves is on the rise,” says Adam Black, co-founder of Button & Sprung.

“Eye-catching headboards and upholstered bed heads in striking colours and captivating patterns become as much a statement of self as a carefully curated collection of artwork; it is the ultimate in bedroom personalisation. Not all art-inspired rooms are maximalist, of course – we’re also seeing customers who are decorating a very neutral bedroom scheme with a statement fabric for their bed, for example.”

Modern bedroom design with an artwork-inspired headboard. — Bedroom design featuring striped Houseof shade, £100, The Roost.

Teal bedroom design with a graphic headboard. — Bedroom painted in Benjamin Moore’s Tranquil Blue paint, priced from £20.75 per 0.94 litres.

To create harmony and design a truly unique bed, you can also opt for a bespoke fabric inspired by a specific piece of art in your bedroom. Or choose a plain head that picks up on a hue included in the artistic board or wallpaper that frames it.

Wallpaper-inspired bed head in a pink and mauve design. — Rose bed frame, £945, Button & Sprung. The fabric is Limerence in Ink, £120 per metre, House of Hackney.

Minimalist bed designs

In contrast to all the padded heads and plush, cushioned frames, there’s been a resurgence of pared-back designs too, embracing a minimalist, Scandinavian aesthetic. That doesn’t mean that these ‘bare silhouettes’ lack creativity, though.

Neutral scheme with a wood frame, linen bedding and classic wall panelling. — Winslow bed, £1465, and Winslow two- drawer bedside chest, £470, both Ercol.

On the contrary – from rattan and wood to metal and mesh, in jewel, black or earthy tones, the design options here abound, making these totally exposed heads and frames looking totally gorgeous. Ayan Abdi, product specialist at Zinus, says metal frames, in particular, are a versatile and stylish choice.

Modern black and white scheme with a metal frame. — Grace bed, from £399, Feather & Black.

A blue bed with rattan detailing in a classic room. — Nina Campbell blue Palmier bed with rattan detailing, from £699, Next.

“Their sleek, stripped-back design makes them perfectly suited to modern schemes and they can easily be dressed up or down depending on the desired look. They are ideal for smaller spaces, too, as they can be placed flush against the wall to maximise valuable floor space. Alternatively, pair alongside a freestanding headboard – this will allow you to easily switch up your bedroom aesthetic as your décor tastes change, without replacing the entire bed base.”