Headboards nowadays seem to be more focused on design than practicality, but are they actually necessary?
Historical use
The main use for headboards is for decorative reasons. This use for headboards dates back to Ancient Egypt, where Pharaohs would have grand headboards made of gold or ebony purely for the aesthetics and luxury. Although as time went on, the Greeks and Romans used headboards for the complete opposite reason. These headboards were often simple and practical designs, made solely to shield the bed from drafts. Whereas the Ancient Egyptians may have used expensive materials for their headboards, the Greek and Roman headboards were usually made from wood as they were cheap and easy to make.
Practical benefits
There are still practical reasons for headboards to this day, as they help keep your pillows in place. There can sometimes be a small gap between your bed and the wall if you don’t have a headboard, which leads to pillows and even mattresses to slide around-making for an uncomfortable night’s sleep, or a morning struggle to reposition everything.
A nice, comfy headboard is also useful to sit up against for night time reading or TV watching-especially a padded headboard which has extra cushioning to ensure maximum comfort. Another benefit of this type of headboard is if you are a restless sleeper who tends to move about a bit. You may find yourself hitting your head on the wall if you don’t have a headboard, so having a padded one could save you from a few headaches or even a serious injury.
Decorative benefits
Of course, the stand-out reason for getting a headboard is the aesthetic prowess a well-crafted one can provide to any bedroom. With a range of sizes, styles and upholstery available, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect piece to become the focal point of your bedroom. No matter what the décor you have or are planning to have, the headboard you choose should match it and accentuate any themes occurring throughout the room. If you would like a subtle and tasteful headboard to act as an inviting backdrop, the straight and clean lines of plain and padded headboards are your best bet, especially when upholstered in a fabric with a soft tone.
However, if you need a visual anchor or statement piece, you’ll find that tufted and deep buttoned headboards are well suited. The elegant status one of these headboards comes with is unmatched, and the range of fabric they can be upholstered in means they are versatile enough to suit classic wool or even matte velvet.
