Upholstered Beds

Upholstered beds now account for the majority of bed frame sales in the UK, and it is not difficult to see why. A padded, fabric-covered headboard transforms the feel of a bedroom in a way that a wooden or metal frame simply does not, adding softness, warmth, and a sense that the bedroom has been properly considered as a space rather than just furnished.

The category covers a wide range of styles. At the simpler end, a clean panelled headboard in a plain fabric provides a quiet backdrop that suits most bedroom schemes. At the more statement end, wingback and chesterfield designs use height and structural detail to make the headboard a genuine focal point of the room. Boucle and teddy fabric beds have emerged as strong trends in recent years, bringing texture and softness that smooth velvet cannot replicate.

Fabric choice is the most personal decision in the category. Velvet remains one of the most popular options for upholstered beds, offering a rich, slightly shimmery surface that catches light and adds depth to the headboard. Crushed velvet takes this further with a more pronounced texture that works well in rooms with deeper colour schemes. Linen and woven cotton fabrics are more understated and tend to be more versatile across different room styles.

Colour is closely linked to fabric in how an upholstered bed reads in a room. Grey upholstered beds in both smooth and textured fabrics are among the most widely bought options in the UK due to their versatility, working well with warm and cool colour palettes alike. Cream and off-white beds suit lighter bedroom schemes, while deeper tones like navy, green, and midnight blue make more of a statement.

Practical options across upholstered bed designs include ottoman storage, drawer storage, and different headboard heights. For those who like to read or watch television in bed, a taller headboard of 130cm or more gives a more comfortable backrest than a lower panel design.