Your headboard will define the style of the bed and in some cases even the style of your room. So there are a lot of reasons to have a good idea of what you are looking for.
headboards via NYT
In the past the headboard had more of a practical purpose, now it is much more an aesthetic choice. The headboard had the keep the cold at a distance as the walls were not as insulated as they are now. The cold and draft would enter the room so there were more reasons to try to keep you warm during the night than beauty.
What should be the height of the headboard?
pictures via Best Interior Designers
To decide on the height of the headboard you should first know how high your mattress and spring box will be. From this point you can go up from 35 to 75 cm. Higher than this you are going for a tall headboard. These days the average height of the bed is around 60 cm, spring box + mattress. So you headboard will reach between 95 and 135 cm from the floor, all depending on personal preferences and style. You will see now also a lot of very tall headboards, even reaching till the ceiling. Those make me always think of a luxury hotel suite.
What about the width?
pictures via Instagram - Quartos etc
As a standard rule you can say that the headboard will be 5 to 10 cm wider, on each side of the mattress. So in case your mattress is 160 cm wide than the headboard will be 170 to 180 cm long. Very trendy these days are headboards which are much wider than that, they can even go from wall to wall. In this case take care not to go to high as it will look massive. This long headboards will look great in a more contemporary or minimalist home.
In case you are not very sure about the dimensions you need: simply put some marking tape on the wall and you will get a much better view on how it will look or make an impact in the room.
First we start by choosing the style of the room
pictures via Bloglovin - Potterybarn - Girl about House
Classical, contemporary or minimalist, each style will have the perfect headboard. A diamond tufted headboard is a perfect upholstered headboard choice for a classical or romantic bedroom. With or without a wooden frame. The buttons can be in the same fabric or a more contrasting color. A piping or some metal nails at the edge will give it a refined touch. Straight lines, or a small arch in combination with a beautiful fabric such as a cotton velvet or a heavy linen for a more contemporary look. Small details, exquisite fabrics for a minimalist feeling.
The fabric can make a statement
pictures via Dimples and Tangles - Fabrics and Paper
The choice of fabric is important, velvet for a soft touch, linen for a modern modern look, leather for a very classical or contemporary room. Printed fabrics look amazing, even on a very simple, rectangular headboard. A colorful or bold printed fabric in combination with an very special designed shape will make your room look very eclectic. To much for you? Go than for a simple fabric in a bold color and add a lot of colorful printed pillows. The pillows can be changed easily and you stay on the safe side.
In case such a traditional upholstered head board is not for you, than the option of a more ethnic version could be perfect for you. It adds a lot of character to the room, special in case you love to travel or love the bohemian style.
pictures via Design Library - Siam Sawadee
Decide on the shape of the headboard
image via All Things Thrifty
The shape can be square, rectangular, an arch or even much more, they will all create an exquisite look for your room. You need a good craftsman to make your headboard, he will use the best materials to make your headboard comfortable with the right proportions and refined finishes.
It is all in the details
images via Ballard Design - Potterybarn
diamond tufted headboard via kcinteriors - minimalist bed Papadatos
As for everything else when you start decoration your home, the details will make the difference. Some nice metal nails, they come in different finishes and sizes. Piping in the same material, in a different color or material will accentuate the shape of the headboard. A Diamond tufted headboard will look completely different when you use buttons in a contrast color. Also small details can make a big impact.
On a budget
headboard with books Architectural Digest - jute rug as headboard via Beach Bliss Living
Creative ideas are always or needed or welcome when you decorate your home, and not only when you have a tight budget. Think out of the box. Use fabrics, an ethnic rug to hang on the wall to give it a special touch. Install some wallpaper, not the whole wall but just behind the bed. Even the books you’ve read can find a second life in your bedroom.
Saving space in a small space
There are a lot of solutions to have some extra space in the small bedroom: keep your books in the back of the bed, create storage behind the bed to keep those decorative pillows during the night or even plug in your phone on th side of the headboard.
Tips to choose the right headboard for you
check the height of the mattress and spring box
check the height of the ceiling, it should be in proportion
depending on the style you can decide on the width
decide on the shape
the details will make it stand out
plain fabrics won’t go out of trend
printed fabrics for a statement or a more eclectic look
Lets go, create your headboard and make your bedroom the way you dreamed of.
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