Headboards for your double bed: 10 on-trend design ideas for 2026

Headboards are more than just a simple detail on your bedstead. These distinctive features can really define the style of your bedroom and completely transform how you perceive the space, making it more welcoming, elegant, elaborate or contemporary.

But first, let’s clarify the terminology. Should we be talking about headboards or bedheads? The two terms are generally used interchangeably and both refer to the panel positioned at the head of the bed. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring some of the solutions offered by Santalucia Mobili to add to your bedroom using different headboard shapes, materials and techniques. Choose from upholstered headboards, wooden panels, designs with modular units and built-in lighting, or decorative alternatives to personalise your room and reflect different styles. Opt for anything from contemporary minimalism to a softer, more evocative look.

Here’s what we’ll be looking at in more detail:

• Standard measurements for double bed headboards
• How to choose your headboard based on bedroom style
• 10 Santalucia Mobili headboards that add character
• Trends for 2026 in materials, shapes and finishes

Standard measurements for double bed headboards

When you’re furnishing a modern bedroom and choosing a headboard, it’s important to consider the size of the room and the bed.

A standard double bed generally measures 160 x 195 cm, while wider versions go up to 180 x 200 cm. Many headboard designs extend beyond the width of the bed base itself, creating a balanced visual frame and enhancing the role of the bed in the room.

Height is also key. Mid-height headboards (between 90 and 110 cm) are the most versatile, offering the right balance between creating visual impact and keeping the elements in proportion. The Ora bed, for example, is 95 cm tall and fits seamlessly into any space.

Taller headboards, beyond 110 cm, make more of a statement. Take the Ghibli bed: at 120 cm tall, it has real impact, becoming an architectural feature well suited to larger bedrooms.

How to choose your headboard based on bedroom style

The headboard you choose should always fit with the overall space. The aim is not to choose the most eye-catching design, but the one that best complements the architecture of the space and the rest of the furniture and furnishings.

In a modern, contemporary bedroom, clean lines, uncluttered surfaces and compact headboards upholstered in neutral, textured fabrics work particularly well.

In a classic bedroom with a contemporary stylistic twist, the headboard can be a feature piece. Generous padding, tufted detailing, decorative stitching and warm finishes add elegance and depth.

Or if you prefer a more natural or Scandinavian style, wooden headboards with a prominent grain and warm woody tones are a good choice. More compact shapes and authentic materials help create welcoming spaces in harmony with nature.

10 ideas for a statement headboard

1. Upholstered headboard: comfort and style

Upholstered headboards are among the most popular solutions because they combine comfort and style. The Zonda bed is an example, with its double-wave design that adds movement to the wall and brings out the 3D form of the padding. This headboard provides comfortable support for reading or just relaxing.

2. On trend for 2026: the pleated headboard

One of the most on-trend looks this year is pleating. This technique can transform your fabric finish into a real feature. The Solano Plissé bed has a self-supporting headboard upholstered in pleated fabric. The soft folds create a light and dark effect that adds depth to the wall and makes for a sophisticated look around the bed.

3. Sculpted wooden headboard

Wood is still one of the most-loved materials in bedroom design: its 3D finish, grooves, carvings and decorative patterns bring out the grain without needing to add anything else. The Wave bed comes in 5 colours, from light shades to more intense tones, to suit both modern and more traditional styles.

4. Upholstered wall panel

If you want to make your bed the centrepiece, turn the headboard into an architectural feature by making it bigger than the bed. The Zefiro bed has upholstered panels mounted on the wall. The panels come in three different widths (100, 200 and 250 cm) and can be used side by side to create large, customised configurations. This horizontal extension builds a sense of continuity, creating a feature wall and giving the room a more sophisticated finish, especially when the rest of interiors are minimalist.

5. Low headboards for modern bedrooms

Low headboards are ideal if you’re looking for a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The Grecale bed has a slim bed frame and tall legs, and the headboard measures just 95.9 cm tall. This works especially well where the ceilings are low or you want to keep the wall space as free as possible.

6. Soft, rounded headboard

Rounded shapes are very in vogue and often chosen to soften harsh geometric forms. The upholstered headboard on the Ander bed has rounded corners, to create a relaxed, welcoming vibe. A choice of fabric or faux leather upholstery allows you to adapt to different styles, from informal and contemporary to elegant and sophisticated.

7. Floating headboards, for a lightweight look

Floating designs create an ethereal, lighter-than-air look. The Solano Fly bed features a self-supporting headboard with a floating frame and mounted bedside tables, creating a delicate composition in mid-air. The overall effect is a lighter, more dynamic space, where the furniture feels less imposing without being less functional.

8. Headboards with built-in lighting

Lighting built into the headboard is one of the most interesting design solutions in modern bedroom interiors. The Lotus bed has lighting built into the headboard and frame, spotlighting the shape and materials in this design, and forming a key part of the look. Beyond creating a more intimate space in the evening, this feature also reduces the need for additional lighting beside the bed or on the wall.

9. Velvet headboards, for a touch of luxury

Velvet remains a favourite for elegant bedroom designs; its tactile qualities and reflective surface finish add a touch of sophistication to any composition. The Scirocco storage bed is fully upholstered in coloured velvet and the headboard features vertical stitching. With neutral tones and matching textiles in the surrounding space, the bed is the real star of the show in this space.

10. Bespoke headboards: when the project design matters most

In some cases, the best solution is to step away from ready-made headboard models and create your own fully customised design. The Scacco bed is a self-supporting unit that can be configured with shelves, a magazine rack, mounted bedside tables, LED lighting and open compartments. Mix and match wood, lacquer and upholstered panels to create a personalised design to suit the style and functional requirements in your bedroom.

Finding the right headboard

The trends for 2026 are all about comfort, material quality and personalisation in the bedroom space.

Soft shapes are gradually replacing rigid geometric configurations, and texture and touch are becoming more important when choosing materials. The Ponente bed is the perfect example.

The use of wood-effect finishes and upholstery shows the importance of combining different materials and how they can work together, like with the Talak bed.

Modular builds also appeal more and more. Headboards are no longer simply a decorative feature. They can provide surface space and storage, and add lighting, making the bedroom do more for you, just like with Santalucia Mobili bed system designs.

Beyond a traditional headboard setup, there are of course alternative solutions.

Decorative wallpaper can give your bed wall some added visual clout and turn it into the main feature of the room, especially when paired with an understated bed frame. Colour blocking is another way to create impact, defining your headboard using just colour. Personalise the palette to suit the style of the room, opting for neutral shades for a more elegant look or bolder contrasts for more of a statement. Full-wall panelling also works well for both contemporary and more traditional bedroom spaces. 

Finding the balance between style, materials, proportions and use of space is always what gives the best results.

Explore the Homy Notte catalogue for more ideas and inspiration, or visit one of our retailers, where you can see the materials and finishes for yourself, and find the headboard best suited to your interiors.