If you are deliberately spending money anywhere in your bedroom, make it your headboard. It’s the focal feature of a room, and it’s an opportunity to add some serious design flair.
This nostalgic trend is winning hearts again, and it’s such an easy way to elevate a bedroom design or re-upholster an old frame to pay homage to this trend.
Understandably where pattern is concerned it can feel daunting as you try to decipher what colours to pair with pattern, and whether you can use pattern anywhere else in the room.
I’ve spoken to the experts at renowned interior textile company, ILIV to get the lowdown on this new trend, and how you can style them for success in your own bedroom scheme.
Patterned Headboards Trend
Statement headboards have become more of a recognised trend over the last few years with arched headboards and extended headboards becoming a running theme.
In 2025, it’s patterned headboards that are having a moment, and it’s a trend I can fully get onboard with.
Debbie Leigh, Design Manager at ILIV said, “Patterned headboards are having a real moment right now, and it’s easy to see why. After years of pared-back minimalism, people are craving more personality and warmth in their homes“.
“A patterned headboard is a simple but striking way to bring in colour, texture and a sense of individuality. It turns the bed into a beautiful focal point and is also a lovely way to inject your own personal style”.
Much like wallpaper, they can be viewed as artwork in their own right as they become an integral design accent in a bedroom. Pattern is totally subjective, so choosing a pattern that you truly love is the best way to tackle this trend.
“What I personally love about patterned headboards is how instantly uplifting they are. They add such charm and character to a space, almost like artwork, but softer and more inviting. It’s a lovely way to weave in storytelling through fabric, whether it’s a bold floral or a subtle geometric”, added Debbie.
How To Choose The Right Fabric
If you’re not familiar with using pattern in your interior, don’t let this deter you from trying this trend with a new headboard. If you’re open to redecorating your bedroom, don’t try to be pigeon holed into using an existing colour based on your walls as this will make things harder when trying to find the perfect pattern for your space.
As the headboard is a main focal feature, start with choosing the headboard, or fabric to reupholster a frame, this can be your starting point for building out your design. A lot of interior designers work this way (as do I), it always helps to build out a scheme when you have that starting point. Use it as the anchor.
Just make sure you choose a fabric that you love and not one that you think feels ‘trendy’, it’s a commitment and one that you’re excited to see everyday.
You can either opt for a more intricate, heavily detailed pattern which can totally pay dividends in your space, or go for a more timeless, simple pattern such as stripes. If you’re ordering fabric to reupholster a frame, I always recommend getting at least 3 samples beforehand so you can get a feel for the fabric and how it looks in your space.
I typically suggest going for something slightly darker rather than lighter on a headboard as it will provide more definition in the room, remember it’s a focal feature so you want it to stand out against your walls. Plus, darker patterns won’t show stains as easily as neutral, lighter fabrics do.
How To Style A Patterned Headboard
Debbie shared some of her expert insights on how to style your own headboard at home, “Let the headboard be the hero by keeping your bedding relatively simple, think crisp white sheets or soft, tonal linens that pick up a colour from the pattern”.
“Add a couple of scatter cushions in complementary textures or shades for interest and maybe a throw at the foot of the bed to tie it all together. Keep the surrounding furniture clean and uncluttered, but don’t be afraid to bring in a small print or stripe elsewhere, like a lampshade or curtain, for a lovely, curated feel”.
If you’re redecorating your room at the same time, try and tie in a similar tone on your walls to that on the fabric. If a fabric features a few different tones, pull one out from that. Having a colour card to hand from your paint brand of choice will help make this part so much easier.
If you have gone for a darker fabric, I recommend going for something at least two shades lighter on the walls so you have that contrast and depth of colour in the bedroom. Chosen a lighter fabric? Go darker on the walls with your paint or wallpaper.
As Debbie mentioned, just because you have a heavy fabric on your headboard, it doesn’t mean you have to stick with plain textiles throughout the rest of your room.
I’m a big fan of mixing pattern for an interesting and fun scheme. As a general rule of thumb, if you have picked a heavily detailed or intricate pattern, opt for a more timeless simple pattern on your cushions or throw, such as a stripe or a larger scale geometric design. Pair tiny scale print with larger scale print and vice versa for a perfect balance.
I’d avoid going for a heavily patterned throw or bedding and stick with a simple, complementary colour here to avoid each pattern fighting for attention. But stripes? Use it as your full design brief and feature them throughout your textiles for a fun look, as styled below.
There’s so much to love about this nostalgic and cosy design trend that can really transform the bones of any bedroom.
This can become an easy way to refresh a room without breaking the bank if you have a go at tackling the reupholstery part yourself.
If you have any design questions about doing this in your own bedroom, please leave me a comment below and I’ll come straight back!
