High Headboard Beds

A high headboard does something that lower designs cannot: it gives the bed genuine architectural presence in the room. Where a standard headboard sits modestly behind the pillows and plays a supporting role, a tall headboard of 130cm or more from the floor becomes a vertical focal point that commands the space around it and makes the bed unmistakably the centrepiece of the bedroom.

The effect is particularly pronounced in rooms with higher ceilings. A headboard that reaches toward the ceiling draws the eye upward and makes the ceiling feel even higher, creating a sense of volume and grandeur that is difficult to achieve with furniture alone. In rooms with standard ceiling heights, a tall headboard still creates impact but needs to be chosen with more care to avoid feeling overpowering.

Wingback beds are among the most popular high headboard designs, combining height with distinctive angled wing panels that frame the headboard and create a structured silhouette. Panelled upholstered designs without wings offer a cleaner, more minimal tall headboard option for those who want the height without the additional structural detail. For those who prefer a lower, quieter headboard profile, see our low headboard beds.

Sitting up in bed is noticeably more comfortable with a high headboard. A headboard that reaches well above shoulder height when seated provides a proper backrest for reading, watching television, or working on a laptop, without requiring additional pillows propped against a wall or lower headboard.

Fabric and colour choices interact with headboard height differently than with lower designs. A tall headboard in a statement colour or textured fabric can carry the whole room's aesthetic in a way that would feel excessive in a smaller piece. Conversely, a very neutral tall headboard in a simple panel design can provide the height and presence without making the colour or texture a central part of the room's design.