What are Headboard Panels? Benefits, styles and installation tips

Updated : June 10, 2025
Published : May 28, 2025
Headboards
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Headboard Panels: What Are They?

There are plenty of headboard styles out there on the market to choose from these days. From those that take inspiration from the traditional designs of the past such as Chesterfield inspired headboards to more contemporary styles that feature clean lines and interesting geometric shapes.

The latest trend when it comes to headboards are headboard panels. Rather than attaching to your bed, these panels instead are fixed to your wall behind your bed. Whilst wall mounted headboards have been a popular choice for a while, headboard panels differ in the fact that they often cover a larger area on your wall, extending high above and far beyond the width of your bed.

We’re here to tell you all about this latest trend and why a headboard panel may just be the right choice for your bedroom.

What Are Headboard Panels?

As briefly touched upon, headboard panels are generally horizontal or vertical panels that are placed next to each other to create a larger panel behind your bed. This acts as your headboard but also a beautiful decorative piece within the bedroom.

Whilst wall mounted headboards also attach to the wall behind your bed, these are often a singular ‘item/panel’ so to speak that’s installed onto your wall. They also generally take up a much smaller space than what the combination of various headboard panels would behind your bed. Whilst individually, headboard panels are smaller, when placed next to one another to make a bigger pattern, they often cover a much larger area of your wall, extending high above the top of your bed and out wider than the width of your bed too.

They’re a really stylish alternative to traditional headboards and even more contemporary wall mounted and winged headboards. They look really impressive and further enhance your bed’s position as the focal point of the bedroom. Not only that, but upholstered headboard panels also provide a really comfortable support for when you’re reading in bed, binging the latest box set or enjoying breakfast in bed.

What Fabrics & Materials Are Available?

Whilst headboard panels are available with a wooden finish, the most popular choice when it comes to headboard panels is by far upholstered headboard panels. They provide you with a soft, cushioned finish that looks and feels fantastic.

There’s a wide variety of fabrics that are used to finish off headboard panels too. From naturally soft linen, durable Malham Weave, distinctive twill and comfortable cotton to a variety of velvet variations such as plush, distressed and Mirazzi.

Each and every one of these fabrics are available in a variety of colours too, from contemporary charcoal, beige, silver and cream to bold colour shades that really make a statement such as forest green, ochre, blush and berry. So whether your personal style leans towards a more minimalist look or you’re a big fan of using bold colours, there’s a headboard panel to match your style on the market and in our collection too.

Most companies will also offer a free fabric sample service so you can really look at and feel the different fabric types and shades of colour before you make a decision.

When it comes to wooden headboard panels, there’s a variety of finishes that are available from natural finishes which feature knots and grooves to smoother, ‘cleaner’ alternatives that are often finished off with paint.

What Designs Are Available?

Whether you opt for upholstered headboard panels or those of the wooden finish variety, there’s plenty of designs and styles to choose from on the market.

When it comes to upholstered headboard panels, the most common and popular style available is the rectangular curved edge panels that provide comfortable cushioning and a bold, ‘indented’ seam in-between each panel. They’re sure to complement your bedroom decor and style, are available in a variety of colours and can be arranged however you desire.

There are other designs available, such as headboard panels with chevron indented styles, curved edges and even the option to break up the design with a mirror panel too. But for sure, the rectangular shaped headboard panels are the most popular choice.

As for wooden finished headboard panels, there are vertically and horizontally arranged designs where wooden panels run vertically and horizontally next to one another. These are available with the wooden panels in different widths, to match different decor requirements. You can also purchase wooden headboard panels in a square variation which can be placed next to one another so the wooden strips run both vertically and horizontally, creating an interesting pattern.

When it comes to a wooden headboard panel, many people also opt to instead use a wooden wall panel design that’s not specifically crafted to be used as a headboard, but can be. These are available in a variety of styles from shaker (otherwise known as board and batten), Victorian that oozes tradition and royalty and shiplap which evokes a marine style as its style was originally used to waterproof boats.

How To Install Headboard Panels?

Generally when it comes to headboard panels, they’re fairly easy to install, especially if you’re comfortable with a little bit of DIY. All you’ll need is a drill with the appropriate drill part for your wall, a hammer, tape measure, spirit level and a pencil.

It’s very important that you read the instructions that should be supplied with your headboard panels very carefully and follow each and every instruction precisely to ensure a safe and correct installation.

When installing most headboard panels, you will need to drill into your bedroom wall and fix the headboard with screws. However, here at Aspire, we have an alternative. Our exclusive EasyMount Headboard Panels utilises strong velcro that attaches to your bedroom wall instead. No need for a drill, no need to mark your walls, simply peel away the protective paper on the back of each panel to reveal sticky backed velcro to attach the headboard panel to your wall.

Headboard Panels: Stylish & Modern

It’s easy to see why headboard panels have become so popular recently and they certainly offer an interesting alternative to the more traditional headboard styles. With plenty of designs, fabric finishes and colours to choose from, finding a headboard panel to match and complement your bedroom decor shouldn’t be a difficult task.

If you’d like to discuss our headboard panels even further or have any questions regarding the fabric finishes available and the installation process, don’t hesitate to get in touch.