In your head about what headboard is right for you and your bedroom? Choosing the perfect headboard can be tricky, especially when it comes to balancing comfort with style. If you’re currently in the midst of weighing the pros and cons between a wood headboard and an upholstered headboard—or a plain one or a patterned one!—we’re here to help. Ahead, get a run down of what to consider when picking the most befitting headboard for your bed!
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Is a Wood Headboard Right for Me?
If you’re looking for a headboard that possesses discernible style (i.e. it doesn’t fall into the catch-all category of contemporary), a wood headboard is likely your best bet. Wood headboards come in a wide array of styles, ranging from Federal to Victorian Eastlake to Mid-Century Modern. Use a wood design any time you want to channel a more authentic traditional style.
Wood designs are perhaps most renowned for their longevity. Unlike upholstered pieces, they aren’t prone to staining or tearing. If you long for a headboard you can hold onto for decades, a wood one is likely to deliver on that front. On the downside, wood pieces are heavier than upholstered designs and will often require extra reinforcement when attaching to a wall or bed.
Is an Upholstered Headboard Right for Me?
Dreaming of on a bed that could literally be cloud nine? If creating a plushy nest of a bed is your highest concern, an upholstered headboard can help add to the effect. Whereas wood designs can make a bed look a bit formal and stiff, an upholstered design ushers in an aura of casualness and comfort. Upholstered pieces are also ideal if you’re looking to make a statement with color or pattern, as they can easily undergo customization with fabric.
Upholstered headboards do take a hit in the durability department. Like all fabric-covered pieces, upholstery can suffer from staining, ripping, or fading. That said, they’re often less expensive than solid wood headboards. This makes the more cost-effective to replace, should they undergo damage.
Patterned vs Plain
Patterned headboards usually fall into two subsets—patterned and plain. Much like choosing to go with a patterned sofa, a patterned headboard can feel like a serious commitment. If you’re toying with the idea of one, chances are high your entire room will need to be designed around it. That can be a plus or a minus, depending on your stylistic vision. Before taking the plunge with pattern, you may want to consider opting for a solid headboard and incorporating pattern with bedding. Bedding, of course, can be easily swapped whenever desired.
Lead image by Liliane Hart Interiors / Photo by Carter Berg
