A new headboard is a brilliant way to upgrade your sleeping arrangement and tie your room together. Originally, headboards for beds were designed to be a barrier against draughts to keep sleepers insulated during the night, but these days they also improve your interior aesthetic as well as help make your bed more comfortable.
However, it's crucial to find the right headboard to suit your bed, décor, and, of course, your personal preferences. To help you choose, we've put together this guide to our favourite headboards in the UK available at John Lewis and Argos. Whether you're after a small, single cushioned upholstered option, a king sized rattan product, or a cheap and simple wooden board for a standard size double bed, we've got plenty of ideas!
Quick List - Top Headboards
Silentnight
Luxury Headboard Built With Comfort and Style in Mind for a Very Reasonable Price
John Lewis & Partners
A Luxurious Upholstered Option With a Linen Feel to Add a Touch of Glamour to Your Bedroom
Argos Home
A Beautiful and Sophisticated Panel Board That’s Adjustable, Available in a Range of Shades
Silentnight
A Comfortable and Convenient Double Headboard to Fit With Almost Any Style of Room
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Full-depth (or full-height) headboards stand up by themselves while fitting to the divan base using firm fixtures. You might worry that this style may wobble, but it's actually very sturdy. Since full-depth headboards come in all kinds of sumptuous shades and fabrics, opting for one of these will make your bed the place to be - whether that's for sleeping, watching TV, or just chilling out!
However, full-depth headboards are usually pricier than other types as they're made from expensive materials and are more time-consuming to produce. They also come fully assembled, which means they may not be suitable for small apartments or houses with a narrow staircase.
A strutted headboard mounted on struts or poles is a convenient and generally affordable choice. Some have two poles, but most options feature reinforced struts made from wood or metal that secure the headboard securely to the divan base.
This type of headboard can easily be adjusted to your desired height, and because it's lightweight, it's easy to move and store if you need to flat pack your bed for safekeeping. It does, however, require some self-assembly - this is usually straightforward, though!
Headboards with a panel design are extremely in vogue right now - not only do they look super luxurious and sophisticated, but they make sitting or lying down in bed even more comfortable.
They often come in the form of a full-depth headboard, with horizontal, vertical, or square panels made from cushioned fabric. You can also find lots of strutted headboards with a panel design for a cosy but still versatile piece of furniture.
Turn your bedroom into a true cosy den by adding a few scented candles!
The upholstered headboard is by far the most sought-after type and the one you'll see the most when browsing online. Made from fabric and cushioning such as foam, this type of board provides maximum comfort and support - perfect for those who love to read or even work from their bed!
The range of materials that the upholstery can be made from includes cotton, tweed, and linen-like fabric to keep you feeling cushty all year round. Upholstered headboards also typically have a wooden base, so look for those made in the UK with FSC-certified wood for a sustainable purchase.
Traditionally headboards were always made from wood, as this type of material has low thermal conductivity and therefore insulates the head from draughts. Nowadays, however, wood has been overtaken in popularity by upholstered headboards because most shoppers are looking for something comfy. Still, wooden slatted headboards are a reliable and stylish option - so don't rule them out just yet!
Wooden slatted headboards either come in natural shades or chic colours such as white and grey, allowing you to choose the tone that best suits your décor. Although they're a little harder to find online these days, we've included a few in our top 10 list for you to browse.
If you're bored of traditional upholstered or wooden headboards, rattan provides an unusual yet snazzy alternative. Either made entirely from rattan or a combination of metal and rattan, headboards crafted from this natural palm will bring a fresh, folky feel to your sleep space.
Rattan is a sustainable and fast-growing material that's flexible and durable, making it a long-lasting choice. Depending on the design, it can create a real style statement - although it, unfortunately, isn't as comfortable to lean against as a fabric headboard.
Do you know what would go great with a new headboard? Some lovely wall hangings!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Silentnight Sleep Genius Full-Height Double Headboard | ![]() | Luxury Headboard Built With Comfort and Style in Mind for a Very Reasonable Price | |
2 | John Lewis & Partners Rouen Full-Depth Upholstered Headboard | ![]() | A Luxurious Upholstered Option With a Linen Feel to Add a Touch of Glamour to Your Bedroom | |
3 | Argos Home Bircham Single Headboard | ![]() | A Beautiful and Sophisticated Panel Board That’s Adjustable, Available in a Range of Shades | |
4 | Silentnight Milan Small Double Headboard | ![]() | A Comfortable and Convenient Double Headboard to Fit With Almost Any Style of Room | |
5 | Vispring Ceres Full-Depth Upholstered Headboard | ![]() | A Full-Depth Headboard Handmade in the UK From High-Quality Materials | |
6 | Habitat Tribeca Single Headboard | ![]() | A Contemporary Take on Industrial Styling, Perfect for Smaller Beds | |
7 | John Lewis & Partners Sonning Upholstered Headboard | ![]() | A Well-Padded Upholstered Headboard to Provide the Ultimate Level of Comfort | |
8 | ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners Wilton Small Double Headboard | ![]() | A Traditional-Style, Wooden Slatted Headboard Available in a Range of Colours | |
9 | Tempur Thornby Full-Depth Headboard | ![]() | Stylish, British-Made, and Super King-Size Headboard for Those Who Prefer Minimalist Decor | |
10 | Habitat Merak Rattan Kingsize Headboard | ![]() | A Monochromatic Statement Upholstered Headboard Made From Riveting Rattan |
For a peaceful snooze, look no further than the "Sleep Genius" double headboard by Silentnight, which really lives up to its name! Our number one pick combines luxury, comfort, and style - and every part has been made right here in the UK.
This product is very reasonably priced compared to similar full-depth headboards, and it boasts exceptional quality. Made from a base of FSC-certified wood, the upholstery has a classic button design in a demure dark grey. Sweet dreams guaranteed!
Bringing to mind opulent '50s boudoir décor, the Rouen upholstered headboard by John Lewis & Partners looks fit for a Hollywood starlet - or in anyone who simply wants to bring some glamour to their sleeping space!
Made in the UK, this range boasts a variety of gorgeous hues and even several different fabric options too. The "Topaz" material in dusky pink is definitely our favourite, as it feels like luxurious linen. Plus, the full-depth design of the headboard creates a feeling of optimum cosiness, so you're sure to enjoy many a lazy Sunday from now on!
There's something incredibly charming about duck egg blue, and it can be a calming addition to the boudoir, particularly when paired with muted or neutral shades. Argos' "Bircham" headboard brings style and sophistication to your bedroom thanks to its beautiful colour and modern vertical panel detail.
Comfortably padded and available in a range of shades and sizes to suit your personal style, it comes complete with universal height-adjustable struts for easy fitting. An elegant option that looks much more expensive than it actually is!
Sometimes simple really is best, and this small double headboard from sleep experts Silentnight has everything you need. It comes in three straightforward shades - grey, charcoal, and black - meaning it should suit all kinds of rooms and won't detract from the rest of your décor.
We also like that the "Milan" headboard is available in this small double option, which isn't always as widely available as a regular double size. As it's fairly inexpensive, it's ideal for teenagers or a spare bedroom.
For a gorgeous combination of comfort and style, we recommend this full-depth headboard by Vispring. It comes in six stunning shades, and this one - an elegant dusky rose named "Plush Heather" - is our favourite!
Made from FSC-certified chipboard, the upholstered panels of this headboard are well-padded to ensure comfortable snoozing. Since it's handmade in the UK, it's not a cheap option, but it's an excellent choice for those wanting an investment piece.
Having a single bed no longer has to mean compromising on style, and the "Tribeca" headboard from Habitat is simply the best that we've found for smaller beds. Wherever you live geographically, there's no reason why you can't bring some contemporary New York styling to your space!
With a bold shape and geometric stitching detail, the tan faux leather creates a cosy yet industrial look. All the style of downtown at a relatively easy-going price and minus the whole "city that never sleeps" attitude!
Looking for a headboard that's good value for money, comfortable, and easy to install? This upholstered option by John Lewis & Partners has you covered! This one is double but it comes in single, small double and king-size too.
As headboards can get rather expensive the larger you go, we're impressed that even the king-size option is affordable! Some might find the plain grey colour a little dull, but we think it's totally timeless.
There aren't too many wooden headboards out there these days, so we were pleased to find this lovely one by ANYDAY, the new furniture brand from John Lewis & Partners. Available in white, natural, and grey, it has a modern minimalist vibe, but the slats still look traditional.
This budget-friendly headboard is made from solid pine and rubberwood, a durable combination that should stand the test of time - but perhaps not the comfiest one. On the plus side, it comes fully assembled, which is always a bonus in our books!
Minimalism is the height of style right now, and there are few better places for simple tones than your sleeping space. If you prefer a minimalist décor, you're sure to fall in love with British brand Tempur's "Thornby" headboard in tweed grey.
This super king-size headboard's chic, horizontal panel design makes it a luxurious buy, but it will only suit those with large budgets as it's very expensive compared to our other picks.
Upholstered headboards may be the most popular option at the moment, but that doesn't mean you can't go for something a little different like this riveting rattan option by Habitat. It's an eye-catching statement piece that's guaranteed to bring pizazz to your bedroom!
Crafted in Indonesia, this board is made from steam-bent natural rattan and is proudly built to last. The simple black shade will work well with minimalist décor and bold, bright colour schemes alike. Sadly though, this piece is more of a style statement than anything else, as the rattan doesn't feel too cosy to lie against.
No. 1: Silentnight|Sleep Genius Full-Height Double Headboard
No. 2: John Lewis & Partners|Rouen Full-Depth Upholstered Headboard
No. 3: Argos Home|Bircham Single Headboard
No. 4: Silentnight|Milan Small Double Headboard
No. 5: Vispring|Ceres Full-Depth Upholstered Headboard
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games