The humble headboard could be considered the crowning jewel of any bedroom design. Not only does it quite literally ground the entire room (especially when centered, which we always recommend if possible), headboards often set the aesthetic tone for the space.

As designers, we can’t resist having a little fun with headboard ideas. From painted wall murals to asymmetric moments and cane accents, there are so many ways to infuse personality and warmth into your chosen headboard design.

Ahead, Havenly designer Kasee Smith shares 13 creative headboard ideas she’s loving at the moment, including floor-to-ceiling wall paneling and the 80s-era panel headboard. Check out her unique headboard ideas below:

1. Highlight an Architectural Feature

Whether you add an architectural feature you love or simply highlight an existing piece (such as the curved trim above), adding paint is an easy, low-lift way to create a design focal point in your bedroom. Add large pillows for dimension, and you have yourself a creative DIY headboard idea.

2. Lean Into Texture

To add subtle design detail, simply opt for a natural material when selecting your headboard, like rattan or cane. The above black rattan headboard lends a textural and trendy touch to the space, and breaks up the matching all-black bedroom furniture.

3. Go Tonal

We love a high-contrast look, but sometimes opting for a more tonal color palette feels even more visually arresting. Instead of going with a cool blue or green headboard to complement the pink paint, the orange upholstery feels punchy, warm, and inviting.

4. Play With Tufting

We love a modern twist on the traditional tufted headboard, with contemporary form and clean vertical lines. Go ahead and lean into the look by pairing with an end-of-bed bench that features horizontal tufts. It adds just the right touch of sculptural drama to this dreamy ivory sanctuary.

5. Take it to the Ceiling

If you have a large wall to play with and want to go beyond the standard above-the-bed artwork, have fun with a unique art installation. Here, the designer went with a tonal gray headboard to complement the black paint, and added height and dimension via wooden slats. Paired with dramatic black paint and gold accents, the look feels perfectly dramatic.

6. Embrace Your Curves

To balance out the clean, sharp lines on a standard bed frame, consider a curved headboard. The above piece softens the overall look and, thanks to the starburst design, almost doubles as an oversized piece of artwork. Not to mention, is giving us major Emily in Paris vibes.

7. Shapes on Shapes on Shapes

Shop for a headboard that features a shape within a shape for an unexpected but still classic, palatable look. The woven ovals inside this primarily traditional, rectangular headboard featured above bring an organic art deco flair and make the bedroom feel that much more unique. 

8. Mixed Materials

We love the drama that a velvet, channeled headboard brings to a bedroom — it never fails! But to keep it from going decidedly glam, this headboard trims the velvet texture with a wooden frame, bringing a modern organic twist to the moment. Paired with sculptural wooden benches, plush blush bedding, and graphic rug, this bedroom is what dreams are made of.

9. Consider Carved

If you love bohemian design, chances are you’ll be on board for a carved headboard moment. This intricate design draws the eye in and make a texture-rich statement, especially when set against a colorful painted wall.

10. Keep It Low

You can always embrace a modern bed with a low headboard to allow the design energy to be focused more on the elements around it. In this case, the low-slung ivory headboard blends in with the luxe white bedding to create a neutral moment, allowing the palm-inspired green wallpaper and corresponding velvet pillows to really steal center stage.

11. Mix & Match Design Styles

When decorating any room, it always pays to mix and match different design styles. In the above bedroom, for example, the regal, traditional headboard really stands out against the modern black and white color palette, graphic pillows, and contemporary table lamps.

12. Double Down

If you have a large bedroom wall to fill and can’t seem to find a piece of artwork that speaks to you, go full-on art installation with a large, triple panel headboard moment. It adds serious drama, eliminates the need to purchase art and wall decor, and creates a seamless backdrop for nightstands.

13. Take It Out

The integrated nightstand-headboard bed frame is making its inevitable comeback. If space allows, consider embracing this 80s-era trend — it lends a touch of modern drama to any space and eliminates the need to purchase separate nightstands. Plus, you get the look of floating nightstands without sacrificing floor space!

Want expert advice on your actual space, straight from an interior designer? Start with our style quiz to work with a design pro one-on-one.