Materials Used In Headboards: Pros and Cons

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Choosing the right fabric for your headboard isn’t always as simple as it might sound - there’s a few things to consider, especially if you want many nights of restful sleep. 

But there’s no need to worry - from tweed headboards to linen and plush velvet, we’ll break down their pros and cons, so you’ll know which ones are right when you shop around for your new headboard. 

We’ll also offer you fabric samples, so you can really feel the fabric at your fingertips and know what it’s like before making your final decision. So why don’t we get started and have a look at the beautiful materials that we offer?

Why Is Choosing The Right Fabric Important?

The fabric of your headboard not only makes your room look complete, but it also has a significant impact on your sleep. If you’re thinking about buying one, we always recommend you to consider factors such as allergies, your sleeping environment, the seasons and the maintenance required for each fabric. 

Let’s now take a look at each fabric we offer for our headboards, including what their key properties are, as well as their pros and cons. So, when you’ve picked the perfect fabric, there will be no more counting sheep!

Linen Fabric Headboards

Pros

Linen is a fantastic choice of material for headboards. It’s made from the flax plant, a purple flower that is often grown in Belgium and France -  its durable stems are spun and woven into fibres that make our luxurious linen! 

So, if you love eco-friendly products, a linen headboard is a great option for you - it is biodegradable, breaking down without any harmful microplastics. Its natural materials also make it a breathable choice, which is great for the summer or if you’re a hot sleeper. 

Find yourself sneezing all the time? Choosing a linen headboard might help prevent your allergy symptoms since the natural properties of the linen headboard deter dust mites and bacteria. Refreshing, highly moisture-wicking and natural, a linen headboard is kind to sensitive noses!

Another advantage of linen is that it’s also a durable material -  you can rest your head on the linen headboard as you watch TV or read a book in bed for many years to come, without its quality deteriorating! 

Cons

There are a few cons when it comes to linen headboards, but they’re all easy fixes, so you don’t need to feel put off if you’re going for a stylish organic look for your headboard. 

Linen headboards are often susceptible to colour damage if they are exposed to too much sunlight for long periods of time. To prevent this, you can change the direction of your bed and headboard into a less intense, sunny area of your bedroom. 

If this is not possible, then why not consider some sheer curtains? These are stylish ways to minimise the amount of sun that comes into your bedroom, without having to live in complete darkness! They can be layered with a blackout blind, so you can get the best of both worlds and have an uninterrupted night’s sleep. 

You can even purchase some UV film for windows, that softens the amount of harmful sunlight rays that can fade materials, allowing you to enjoy your headboard and get many nights of peaceful sleep. 

Another con of linen headboards is that they are often sensitive to stains because linen is a highly absorbent material. But don’t worry - if you love having breakfast and a coffee in bed, you can protect your linen headboard by using a fabric protector spray. This spray leaves a layer over the linen material that repels liquids, acting almost like a little umbrella for your headboard! 

Plush Velvet Headboards

Pros

For the velvet headboards, there are a few minor drawbacks to bear in mind if you are planning on purchasing one. These are also easy to fix and prevent, so let’s take a look at what they are and how to manage them.

Velvet headboards can be very prone to collecting dust and pet hair over time, as the fibres cling onto them. So, regularly hoovering your velvet headboard is a great tip to get rid of that build up of hairs from your furry friends. A soft brush attachment on your hoover is an effective way of getting into the nitty gritty of your headboard’s fibres without damaging it. 

Another tip to bear in mind with your velvet in headboard is how they often show marks, fingerprints and imprints due to its upright pile. Vacuuming regularly will also help keep your headboard pristine, removing those funky outlines and patterns that appear in the fabric over time!

Cons

Inviting, warm and cosy - plush velvet headboards are perfect if you’re going for that luxurious look in your bedroom. The thick fabric pile makes it so comfortable to lean against, so if you and your partner are watching TV in bed, you’ll feel very cosy sitting upright against your new headboard.

For the cooler autumn and winter seasons, a velvet headboard is a great option to consider as the densely packed fibres trap heat quicker. These thick fibres can also act as a noise reducer, giving you a better chance of a great night’s sleep without any loud noise from next door. So, not only do plush velvet headboards look stylish, but they are also practical and cosy when you snuggle up next to them!

Plush velvet headboards have colours that stand out even more, thanks to the velvet’s rich pile. We have a gorgeous range of colours including navy, pink, ivory, charcoal and black - each one is sure to make your bed look sumptuous and irresistible to dive into after a long day! 

Tweed Headboards

Pros

Tweed fabric has a story that goes all the way back to the 17th century, originally made in the Scottish Highlands and parts of rural Ireland. From sleepy fishing villages and rural pastures, the woolen tweed was used to sustain harsh weather conditions and keep you warm during the colder months. 

Thanks to its durability and heat-insulating properties, tweed is a great option to choose for your headboard fabric, especially during the wintry season. Available in a selection of charcoal, coffee, grey and natural colours, you can choose the perfect shade that’s right for you. 

Rustic and charming, the tweed headboard makes your bedroom feel like a cosy, countryside escape that is sure to make you want to jump into bed after a long hard day!

Some other benefits of a tweed headboard is that they are low maintenance, less prone to sun fading and they hide minor marks and dust. They’re an easy, laidback option to care and maintain!

Cons

In warmer seasons, having a tweed headboard may add to you feeling a little more hot and flustered. Due to its wool insulating fibres, tweed fabrics can absorb more temperature, so it’s one to look out for if you’re a hot sleeper. 

It’s not the end of the world though, because you can balance this heat retention with a dehumidifier, cooler pillow cases and linen throws to restore a more airy, refreshing feel into your bedroom. 

Often, tweed can be prone to snagging and fraying over time. So if you’ve got mischievous pets with sharp claws, it’s one to look out for. We recommend that you also avoid having any sharp objects such as jewellery or zippers to prevent the headboard from snagging, and you can even rotate your pillows and cushions often so they aren’t pulling on the same place all the time. Simple and easy, these steps are sure to prevent your headboard from wear and tear, allowing you to enjoy its rustic charm for many years!

Find The Perfect Material For Your Headboard Now

We hope that this guide has provided you with a bit more insight on the different fabrics we have available in our headboard range. From their perks, their downsides and how to care for them, to where they come from and how they’re made, we hope this guide has helped when it comes to choosing the right headboard for you. 

For more information, care tips and choosing the right headboard for you, why not take a look into our other guides? 

If you’re ever stuck, our friendly customer services team are also happy to help every step of the way.