Plush Stuff: The Tufted Bedhead
A tufted bedhead adds a luxurious focus to bedroom decor, and works equally well in a traditional or contemporary space
Originating in the 17th century, the tufted bedhead has traditional appeal and can be revitalised into a more contemporary look. Whether you’re going for formal, old-world style or a modern, glamorous take, the good news is that the design is always going to be striking. A tufted bedhead adds colour, texture and charm to a bedroom while acting as a beautiful and warming focal point.
The look: Natural elegance
Key details: Here, the bedhead’s classic diamond button effect in a neutral-coloured linen radiates an ‘establishment’ charm.
Why it works: To create a luxe hotel-style feel, the colour of the tufted bedhead has been complemented by similar tones in the bedcover, curtain and seat upholstery.
New twist: Introduce a French provincial element by repeating the look of the tufted bedhead in an elegant footstool. Or, for real impact, add a tufted bedroom slipper chair.
Should your bedhead blend in or stand out?
Key details: Here, the bedhead’s classic diamond button effect in a neutral-coloured linen radiates an ‘establishment’ charm.
Why it works: To create a luxe hotel-style feel, the colour of the tufted bedhead has been complemented by similar tones in the bedcover, curtain and seat upholstery.
New twist: Introduce a French provincial element by repeating the look of the tufted bedhead in an elegant footstool. Or, for real impact, add a tufted bedroom slipper chair.
Should your bedhead blend in or stand out?
The look: Modern mood
Key details: The squared bedhead creates a modern feel in this bedroom.
Why it works: Anyone who has difficulty sleeping can appreciate why this dark bedroom scheme might help to induce sleep. While the tufted bedhead works as a focal point, the midnight-blue backdrop and soft silver-grey bedlinen complete the sedate style of the room. The grey-and-blue colour palette adds subtlety and depth, converting an average bedroom into a warm cocoon.
New twist: Play with different colour palettes, especially when it comes to bedlinen. For a wild, crazy feel, add a zing of red – a great idea to include during the chillier months.
Key details: The squared bedhead creates a modern feel in this bedroom.
Why it works: Anyone who has difficulty sleeping can appreciate why this dark bedroom scheme might help to induce sleep. While the tufted bedhead works as a focal point, the midnight-blue backdrop and soft silver-grey bedlinen complete the sedate style of the room. The grey-and-blue colour palette adds subtlety and depth, converting an average bedroom into a warm cocoon.
New twist: Play with different colour palettes, especially when it comes to bedlinen. For a wild, crazy feel, add a zing of red – a great idea to include during the chillier months.
The look: Contemporary country
Key details: This high, wing-backed bedhead defines the sleeping space in this narrow bedroom.
Why it works: Originally, the wings of a chair or bed were meant to serve as wind protection in cold and draughty houses. These days, they’re more about style and decor, though they can still serve their purpose if your house is in a cold-climate location. The tufted, wing-backed bedhead in this room plays with scale and contrast, ensuring it becomes a real focal point. Although an abundance of pillows are present, the look still manages to remain sleek and understated.
New twist: Although this shiplap-walled bedroom has a cool, country feel, some artworks on the adjacent walls could personalise the space.
Key details: This high, wing-backed bedhead defines the sleeping space in this narrow bedroom.
Why it works: Originally, the wings of a chair or bed were meant to serve as wind protection in cold and draughty houses. These days, they’re more about style and decor, though they can still serve their purpose if your house is in a cold-climate location. The tufted, wing-backed bedhead in this room plays with scale and contrast, ensuring it becomes a real focal point. Although an abundance of pillows are present, the look still manages to remain sleek and understated.
New twist: Although this shiplap-walled bedroom has a cool, country feel, some artworks on the adjacent walls could personalise the space.
The look: Modern manners
Key details: A soft, plush bedhead creates a welcome contrast to the warm timber backdrop.
Why it works: The bedhead is clearly the standout piece due to its height and contemporary style. However, there’s a bigger concept on view here, thanks to the positioning of the bedhead against the walnut veneer and below the clerestory window. Note that the side of the bedhead lines up perfectly with the edge of the window for beautiful symmetry.
New twist: To create a moodier look, choose a black or dark charcoal-coloured bedhead. For a mid-century look, choose a teal, mustard or coral colour.
Key details: A soft, plush bedhead creates a welcome contrast to the warm timber backdrop.
Why it works: The bedhead is clearly the standout piece due to its height and contemporary style. However, there’s a bigger concept on view here, thanks to the positioning of the bedhead against the walnut veneer and below the clerestory window. Note that the side of the bedhead lines up perfectly with the edge of the window for beautiful symmetry.
New twist: To create a moodier look, choose a black or dark charcoal-coloured bedhead. For a mid-century look, choose a teal, mustard or coral colour.
The look: Serene green
Key details: By covering the bedhead in an olive-green velvet fabric, this plain bedroom is converted into a warm, forest-inspired haven.
Why it works: Elegant buttoning on the bedhead adds detail to this nature-loving room. The trick is to mix luxe elements, such as quality bedlinen, with natural materials to create a contemporary feel.
New twist: Make sure the lighting includes a dimmer to create soft illumination in this cosy enclave.
Green colour lessons from nature
Key details: By covering the bedhead in an olive-green velvet fabric, this plain bedroom is converted into a warm, forest-inspired haven.
Why it works: Elegant buttoning on the bedhead adds detail to this nature-loving room. The trick is to mix luxe elements, such as quality bedlinen, with natural materials to create a contemporary feel.
New twist: Make sure the lighting includes a dimmer to create soft illumination in this cosy enclave.
Green colour lessons from nature
The look: Mirrored elegance
Key details: A mirrored wall behind the bedhead makes a small bedroom space seem larger.
Why it works: Although this room is quite compact, the owner clearly wanted a sumptuous feel – and so included a chandelier, plush fabrics and, most significantly, a tall and tufted bedhead with gracefully enveloping wings. The white bedhead and matching bedside drawers keep the room looking fresh and inviting.
New twist: With so many neutrals in this room, it may be interesting to provide a focal point in the room by choosing a bright colour for the bedhead.
Key details: A mirrored wall behind the bedhead makes a small bedroom space seem larger.
Why it works: Although this room is quite compact, the owner clearly wanted a sumptuous feel – and so included a chandelier, plush fabrics and, most significantly, a tall and tufted bedhead with gracefully enveloping wings. The white bedhead and matching bedside drawers keep the room looking fresh and inviting.
New twist: With so many neutrals in this room, it may be interesting to provide a focal point in the room by choosing a bright colour for the bedhead.
The look: Graphic details
Key details: This tufted school-grey bedhead complements the room’s graphic elements. Note that there are no buttons in this bedhead, instead, coloured crosses add individuality, with a modern edge.
Why it works: While the different graphics can be overwhelming, the key is following a strict colour palette, as seen here in orange, charcoal and white.
New twist: The white blinds could be changed to dark charcoal, which would help keep the white room a little darker at sunrise.
Key details: This tufted school-grey bedhead complements the room’s graphic elements. Note that there are no buttons in this bedhead, instead, coloured crosses add individuality, with a modern edge.
Why it works: While the different graphics can be overwhelming, the key is following a strict colour palette, as seen here in orange, charcoal and white.
New twist: The white blinds could be changed to dark charcoal, which would help keep the white room a little darker at sunrise.
The look: French provincial
Key details: Even in a small space, there’s no reason why a bedhead can’t be a drawcard.
Why it works: A Louis XV-inspired bedhead – curves with old gold around the top border and accented by a floral motif – adds a sense of drama here. The tufted bedhead is complemented by clean white linen, creating a luxe centrepiece to an elegant bedroom.
New twist: As fabric bedheads are usually less expensive than buying an entirely new bed with an attached bedhead, you can easily replace it if and when you fall out of love with the style.
Key details: Even in a small space, there’s no reason why a bedhead can’t be a drawcard.
Why it works: A Louis XV-inspired bedhead – curves with old gold around the top border and accented by a floral motif – adds a sense of drama here. The tufted bedhead is complemented by clean white linen, creating a luxe centrepiece to an elegant bedroom.
New twist: As fabric bedheads are usually less expensive than buying an entirely new bed with an attached bedhead, you can easily replace it if and when you fall out of love with the style.
The look: Princess suite
Key details: The refined curves, edged piping and detailed buttoning of this arched bedhead give the room a traditional, almost country-style feel.
Why it works: The bedhead’s soft pink hues add a feminine touch to the space. While it has an old-world charm, the button detailing adds depth to this classic design.
New twist: Vibrant bedlinen, such as hot pink, could add some fun to the room.
TELL US
Which of these bedheads would you like in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Key details: The refined curves, edged piping and detailed buttoning of this arched bedhead give the room a traditional, almost country-style feel.
Why it works: The bedhead’s soft pink hues add a feminine touch to the space. While it has an old-world charm, the button detailing adds depth to this classic design.
New twist: Vibrant bedlinen, such as hot pink, could add some fun to the room.
TELL US
Which of these bedheads would you like in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Browse a gallery of bedheads
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Key details: Old-world charm with a touch of monarchical luxury meets animal-patterned flamboyance.
Why it works: This room’s styling is so sophisticated; the regal purple bedhead looks like it could appear in a bed owned by a romance novelist like Jackie Collins or by one of the Kardashians. The tufted fabric adds more grandeur, while the white piping accentuates the shape. To make this work, it’s important to go all the way with wild wallpaper, glitzy-gold metallic highlights and leopard-skin cushions.
New twist: Try a more understated look by minimising the accessories in the room. Stick with subtle, white bedlinen and a neutral-coloured bedcover.