What Are Good Colors for a Headboard?

Headboards can really accentuate the bedroom, making it feel cozy and inviting, keeping you comfortable, and adding a pop of colour and texture. Let’s look at some of the best colours for your headboard.

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The choice you make for the colour of your headboard will really depend on the colours in the rest of the room, so whether you’re building up your bedroom from scratch or just looking to replace the headboard, we have an option for you.

We always emphasize on the fact that your bedroom must reflect your personality, offer a soothing and peaceful sanctuary and should be draped in colors that you love the most. We often tend to forget the last part of that equation in favor of hot trends and unassuming neutral that are glorified beyond necessity.

The idea of a ‘picture-perfect’ bedroom draped in neutral colors and accentuated by a few pops of bright hues might seem great on paper, but it really is not the dream bedroom for all of us. Some of us tend to adore a bit more color, character and personality.

It is precisely why you should consider a colorful bed frame and headboard! If you want to understand the history and purpose of headboards, head to our article on What is the point of a headboard for a bed?

First, let’s look at the reasons to use a headboard at all: some may think they are an outdated piece of furniture, but they can still have a lot of use.

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Reasons to Use a Headboard:

1. Put Together Look

Most headboards and footboards today are often more of a decorative piece of furniture that enhances the overall aesthetic of a bedroom. A stylish headboard can make an entire bedroom seem cozier and more comfortable than just a bare wall.

Cozy bedrooms naturally make it easier to get comfortable and fall into deep, quality sleep. If you’re thinking of changing the look of your room, and don’t want the hassle that goes along with buying a completely new set of furniture, then purchasing a headboard on its own can go a long way to helping with this.

Purchasing a well-made ornate headboard, you can transform your once basic-framed bed into a well-fashioned centrepiece of the room. The headboard will naturally become the focal point so you can quickly change the first impression people will get once they enter your bedroom.

2. Comfortable backdrop for your head

Have you ever been sitting in bed, leaning against the wall behind you and find your bed slowly drifting away from the wall just by the force of your body? Have you ever woken up, brought your coffee back to bed and wanted to sit and enjoy the morning paper in bed?

A headboard secures the bed to the surface behind it, and especially padded ones can provide an extremely comfortable way of sitting up and enjoying your bed as a space for reading or watching a movie.

3. Keeping Pillows on the Bed

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, only to find that your pillow is in the floor, and your neck feels so stiff you can’t move it? Well, join the club! But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Headboards are a really excellent and easy solution to this problem.

A headboard, especially with side panels, will secure your pillows in place, and stop them from falling to the floor midway through your sleep. In most cases, the pillow has fallen into the space between the wall and the bed, which a headboard would have prevented.

We cannot rule out the other possible scenarios mentioned, but a headboard will at least keep your pillows in place. And not only does it help to keep your pillows in place, but a headboard will also help to keep your bedsheets firmly tucked in to prevent any mid-sleep sheet suffocation dramas.

4. Filling Space

If you are one of the lucky ones, and you are dealing with the problem of having a bedroom that is so large that you need to think of ways to fill the space, the headboard could be just the solution for you.

There are a side selection of statement headboards on the market, that create a sense of grandeur and fill the room, leaving the wall looking 3-dimensionally textured, as opposed to flat and blank.

This is a much less considered point and more than likely you haven’t heard about it; however, it is the thought behind how a headboard can help you sleep much better and lead a healthier life.

Feng Shui is a philosophical Chinese system in which you harmonise yourself with the environment around you. A strong headboard on your bed when sleeping at night allows you to feel a greater sense of comfort and safety within your bedroom. So, it’s filling physical space, but also filling psychological space.

5. Protection From Drafts

While this may seem like an outdated concern for many, it actually can still be relevant in many cases. Depending on your home, when it was built, and with what materials, as well as where you are located, you may need that added protection from drafts.

For those in the southern hemisphere, certainly it would not be a concern. However, for those of us in the north, where temperatures go below zero degrees Celsius or less, protection from cold air at night can be essential. Many cities and rural towns have old homes, where drafts are still common.

If you are trying to save on that heating bill, or find ways to stay warm without just turning up the heat, the headboard and baseboard, especially if insulated with cushion, can act as vital protection in the bed.

Now, let’s look at all of the best colours to choose from for your next headboard: while some of them may be less colours and more materials, these options will give you a good idea of the variety you have ahead of you.

10 Best Headboard Colours

1.Natural Wood

This is the most classic and easy to style option, that should go with just about any styling and colour palette you have developed in your room. Natural wood is extremely sturdy and will last forever, also giving you a timeless look, no matter if your walls are painted white or bright green, or have a funky wallpaper.

There are many different stains of wood that will change the look drastically: everything from a mid-century modern teak, to the Scandinavian pale unstained look. You can go with a reclaimed wood headboard for a rustic cabin look, or choose one with antique finishings for a polished vintage feeling.

Wood is one element that can lend a touch of natural charm to an otherwise artificial space that seems sterile and unwelcome.

Homeowners and designers have realized quickly that even the most contemporary of spaces benefit from the ‘touch of wood,’ and there are few places that gain more from its presence than the serene bedroom. A wooden headboard can define, refine and accentuate the style of your personal haven!

2. White

A white headboard is another option that goes with just about anything, but I would caution against using it if you are also painting your walls white. It can be a little too monotone, and overwhelming, unless you are specifically going for that look, in which case, paint it all white!

Painting a traditional, antique-inspired headboard white accentuates the floral detail and adds a modern feel. The use of clean, soothing blues and neutral tones for walls and linens deliver a serene feeling to the space. Design by SPI Design. 

A neutral, tufted and nail-studded headboard stands out against gray walls and matching bedding. There are many different materials that a white headboard can be in, which vastly change its texture and feeling in the room. A white headboard is a great option to offset a wall painted a bright or deep colour.

3. Padded Grey

A tufted headboard gives the ultimate comfort for your head, when leaning back against it, you will feel so cozy and supported. Tufted headboards can come in really any colour, but it is a great option to go grey.

A wool or linen in a deep or light grey creates a warmth, while also providing a neutral backdrop for the rest of your room. Others focus more on the design details than practical offerings.

For instance, some have button tufting, while others create a pattern with the tufting, such as diamond shapes across the headboard. And while some headboards are straight across, others are arched or have a fancy rolled top. Keep in mind that you should choose the design that best suits your personal tastes and the style of your home.

In general, simple bedrooms with grey upholstered beds or modern beds with simple, straight lines tend to have a contemporary feel, and they look best when you stick with the minimalist style through a soft comforter and a couple of pillows.

On the other hand, beds with more curves, arches and ornate details look best in homes with traditional décor. You can play up this look with an elegant comforter and lots of decorative pillows piled in front of the headboard of your traditional tufted bed.

4. Tan Leather

Tan leather is such a rich and interesting texture, adding a sense of warmth and dimension to the bedroom. There are some very different styles as well, meaning you can make it entirely your own.

If you’re going for a hunting lodge aesthetic, a tufted leather headboard with arms will create just the atmosphere for you. If, on the other hand, you’re going for a more modern sophisticated look, with a little boho vibe, you can find a headboard that is paired down, sleek lines, and finished with simple metal hardware.

A bedroom decorated with rich brown leather and light, white or off-white accessories contains a comforting mix of neutral hues with a hint of masculinity; perfect for a couple’s bedroom. The neutral palette allows for a wide range of accent colors and can be tailored to fit ether traditional or contemporary decorating styles.

5. Dusty Pink

This option has been a trend in recent years, and while it does perhaps read immediately as feminine, it can also evoke Art Deco and art nouveau eras, paired with other textures in the room to create a balanced aesthetic. It’s a fact: We spend about a third of every day in bed.

While we wish this was because we were getting a solid eight hours of shut-eye, the reality is we spend a lot of that time scrolling Instagram under the covers. Regardless, your bedroom is where you unwind and where you start your day.

As such, your decor is pretty important.”A headboard makes a bed look finished and it’s a great way to add a color or pattern to your room if you have plain walls,” says interior designer Sasha Bikoff.

The dusty pink, whether in a tufted headboard, or upholstered in an Art Deco style, can add a touch of playfulness, while staying calming and soothing for the perfect bedtime routine.

6. Rattan

Rattan is a beautiful natural material to use to add texture to your room, and bring the outdoors in. It can create many looks, from boho to beach vibe, and even to more of a midcentury aesthetic.

While you may typically think of rattan as a summer staple, we find the look perfect for every season lately I’m loving natural elements in the home. things that are often associated with the outdoors and patio decorating can be so striking inside too.

Rattan furniture, woven baskets, and rattan decorations add so much more texture to a home, it almost makes a space feel like you’re on vacation in some tropical place.

7. Green Velvet

Green velvet is such a deep and lush fabric to use on a headboard, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in the bedroom. Nothing says elegance like a lush green velvet headboard. Wake up and feel the lustre.

Green is a popular color for decor and it has some advantages: this is a refreshing and natural color, which is said to be the most restful color for the eye.

It can be used literally everywhere, and chosen as the main color, it will relieve stress, that’s why it’s so often used in bathrooms and bedrooms where we need maximal relaxation. The green headboard pairs really beautifully with white bedsheets, an easy and classic bedroom staple. 

8. Multi-colour

How about trying a rainbow headboard? Now, this option may only be for the bold amongst us, but it can be so so stunning. I’ve seen some multi-colour headboards lately that make such a statement, while adding vibrancy and excitement to the bedroom.

It’s a great way to be playful, and add a spark of joy to the room. Some of us have our desks situated in our bedrooms as well, so if you’re hopping onto a zoom call, the multi-colour backboard in the background can be a great way to add a spark of life to the meeting.

9. Prints

The floral pattern of the fabric headboard complements and adds to the coordinating pattern of the bed linens. Ruched fabric on the pillows and duvet cover paired with the crisp linens and modern furniture lines combine to give the room a fresh, vibrant feel.

I love a victorian print, in white and blue, with depictions of farm scenes etched all over it.  It creates that lovely traditional aesthetic, evoking what everyone is going for these days in the cottage core trend.

With an upholstered headboard like this too, it is very flexible: you can always get the board re-upholstered if you grow tired of the print or decide you want a change. These types are something you can also find at a flea or antique market for very cheap, but add a lot of character to the bedroom.

10. Wrought Iron

When I think of a wrought iron bed frame, I think of traditional curving lines with leaf details, and a four poster bed. However, there are some really beautiful new options with updated forms, but still using this wonderful old material.

So, you can have the best of both worlds: old world charm with lovely texture and patina, with a contemporary design that makes you feel like you’re keeping up with the times. If you do decide to go with a traditional one, there are many to be found used, at a great price range.

Some of the original antiques still go for a lot of money, but that’s the beauty of thrifting, you can always find a deal. On the other hand, some companies like Wayfair offer updated options at really great prices.

Do you want to add a headboard that will just look pretty? Or do you want a headboard that will serve a few different purposes? Knowing your goal in purchasing a headboard is important in choosing the correct one that will best fit your room.

Many people use a headboard as a back rest to either read or watch TV in bed. In this case, choose a headboard that will be the most comfortable to sit against.

If you like the overall look of wood, but just need something to prop your pillows up with, consider choosing a sleigh bed that will look pretty and will be sturdy enough to keep pillows in place.

Your headboard has to match the size of your bed to achieve an overall pleasing look. If you have a king size bed you will need a rather large king sized headboard. If you have a smaller bed you can get away with a smaller sized headboard.

Remember to factor proportion into your choice as well: wider beds will need to have a taller headboard to look right. Also consider the size of your room and the overall feel that a large headboard will create.

Choose a larger headboard if you have a big enough room but if your room is already tight on space consider choosing a basic headboard that won’t overcrowd the room even more. The colour, obviously, is of upmost importance as well.

In making this decision, you should look at the other colours in your room, and try to pull it together. You do not need to match exactly, but creating a conversation between textures, patterns, and colours is key. In fact, you always do want variety to create a really beautiful complete design.

However, at the end of the day, if there is a colour or fabric that really just calls to you, it’s great to follow your gut, and you can always design the rest of the room around that really special piece that you love.

The headboard could be that piece! I hope this guide gave you plentiful ideas on why you should choose to purchase a headboard, and all of the material and colour options that can create exactly the atmosphere you want in your place of rest and relaxation.