Custom Headboards: The Complete Guide to Designing a Bespoke Headboard
mikaela RosenWhat is a bespoke headboard?
A bespoke headboard is made to your exact measurements and preferences. Unlike standard models, you can define every detail — from the shape and size to the fabric and piping.
For many interior enthusiasts and designers, a custom-made headboard is a way to create a more personal and considered bedroom.
A bespoke headboard allows you to:
- Adjust the size to fit your bed
- Choose the model that suits your home
- Select fabric and colour to match your style
- Create a design that fits the room perfectly
A custom headboard is especially appreciated by those who value unique homes, where craftsmanship and details play a central role.
🇸🇪 Why choose a bespoke headboard?
Many start by looking at ready-made headboards, but quickly realise that a made-to-measure piece offers far greater possibilities.
Perfect proportions for your space
Every bedroom is different. Ceiling height, wall dimensions and bed size all affect how a headboard is perceived.
With a bespoke solution, you decide:
- The model
- The dimensions
- Fabric and materials
- Details such as piping
The result is a headboard that feels fully integrated into the room — created specifically for you.
A unique design
A bespoke headboard allows you to create something that truly reflects your style. At Ylse, we work with Edits — carefully curated fabric collections built around four distinct styles and expressions, designed to help you find what feels right for your home.
Whatever your style, we create your dream headboard.
Cosy Townhouse
Perhaps our most sophisticated edit. Inspired by exclusive hotels around the world, elegant London townhouses, and the beautiful Ett Hem in Stockholm. Here, modern and traditional elements meet in a balanced composition that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Our selected fabrics combine contemporary details with timeless charm. Featuring fabrics from Beata Heuman, Fermoie, Gotain and Cathy Nordström.
Stripes Lovers
Stripes, stripes and more stripes. Narrow, wide, and in soft, flowing forms — each with its own character. We love stripes and are not afraid to mix them. The beauty of stripes is their versatility — they can feel classic, modern, or expressive. This edit includes fabrics from Ian Mankin, Helene Blanche and Clarke & Clarke.
Kids Corner
Ylse loves children. In fact, our very first edit was created with them in mind. Here you’ll find everything from stripes, dots and patterns to solid fabrics, sourced from English, Swedish and French suppliers. In our homes, children sleep in proper beds, and co-sleeping has often been part of our lives. We believe every detail in a child’s room should tell a story. Featuring fabrics from Jane Churchill, Ian Mankin and Studio by Marvic.
Cottage Retreat
In this edit, we’ve gathered fabrics for those decorating a country house, a turn-of-the-century home, or simply drawn to a more romantic aesthetic. You’ve likely saved House & Garden features to your moodboard. You’re drawn to colour and pattern, believe in “more is more”, and find inspiration in British bedrooms and countryside homes. Featuring fabrics from GP & J Baker, Manuel Canovas and Linwood.
Instead of adapting the room to the furniture, the furniture can be adapted to the room.
Craftsmanship and quality
Our bespoke headboards are handmade by experienced upholsterers.
This means:
- Higher quality
- Tailored detailing
- Longer lifespan
In premium interiors, handcrafted headboards are often a natural choice.
What size should a headboard be?
One of the most common questions concerns headboard size.
Many search for:
- Headboard size
- Headboard 180 cm
- Headboard 160 cm
- King size headboard
The width of a headboard usually follows the mattress size.
Our headboards are always made 4 cm wider than your bed — something we call Ylse’s golden ratio. Since mattresses and bedding often extend beyond the bed frame, the extra 2 cm on each side creates a more substantial and embracing look.
Common bed widths
| Bed size | Recommended headboard |
|---|---|
| 90 cm | Single bed |
| 120 cm | Small double |
| 160 cm | Standard double |
| 180 cm | King size |
A 180 cm headboard is a popular choice for larger bedrooms and creates a more luxurious feel.
Many interior designers choose to make the headboard slightly wider than the bed, enhancing a refined, hotel-like aesthetic.
👉 Related guide: Headboard size guide
How high should a headboard be?
The height of a headboard significantly impacts the overall expression of a room. Our standard headboard height is 90 cm, regardless of width.
A taller headboard can create a dramatic and elegant focal point.
Common headboard heights
| Model | Height from mattress |
|---|---|
| Small Cotswolds (80–140 cm) | 75 cm |
| Large Cotswolds (160–210 cm) | 85 cm |
| Small Mayfair (80–140 cm) | 70 cm |
| Large Mayfair (160–210 cm) | 80 cm |
| Small Österlen (80–140 cm) | 70 cm |
| Large Österlen (160–210 cm) | 70 cm |
| Large Provence (160–210 cm) | 75 cm |
In rooms with high ceilings, a taller headboard can create better balance.
Many design hotels use extra tall headboards to achieve a more exclusive feel.
👉 See also: How to choose the right headboard
Which fabric is best for a headboard?
Fabric plays a crucial role in both look and feel.
As the headboard is often the focal point of the bedroom, the fabric should harmonise with the rest of the interior.
Linen headboards
Linen is one of the most popular materials for upholstered headboards.
Benefits:
- Natural texture
- Timeless character
- Durable material
A linen headboard works especially well in Scandinavian and classic interiors.
👉 Explore: Linen headboards
Velvet
Velvet creates a more dramatic and elegant expression.
It’s a popular choice in more refined bedrooms where depth and contrast are desired.
Patterned fabrics
Only your imagination sets the limit. Stripes, florals, geometric shapes and hand-drawn motifs — patterned fabrics give the headboard a more personal and expressive feel.
Unlike plain fabrics, patterns create a stronger visual identity. They add movement, rhythm and depth, while also tying together different elements of the interior. A stripe introduces structure and direction, while a floral softens the space and adds warmth. Geometric patterns create a more graphic and contemporary look.
At Ylse, we work with carefully selected fabrics from European textile houses, where many patterns carry a story — inspired by traditional techniques, hand-painted originals or historic archives. This makes each headboard more than just a piece of furniture, but part of something larger.
For those looking to create a more expressive bedroom, a patterned headboard is often the natural choice. It becomes the focal point of the room and sets the tone for the entire interior — whether you prefer a subtle stripe, a romantic floral, or a more bold statement.
Through our Edits, we help you navigate patterns and find the right balance, so your headboard feels personal, harmonious and timeless.
Different types of bespoke headboards
There are many shapes and styles to choose from.
French headboards
French-inspired headboards often feature soft curves and classic proportions.
They are perfect for Parisian or country-style interiors.
Scandinavian headboards
Scandinavian headboards are defined by:
- Clean lines
- Natural materials
- Calm colours
The result is a harmonious and timeless bedroom.
Wall-mounted headboards
Ylse’s bespoke headboards are wall-mounted as standard.
Benefits:
- Stable construction
- A universal solution that fits all beds
We can also create freestanding headboards or designs with legs — always tailored to your preferences.
How a bespoke headboard transforms a bedroom
A well-designed headboard acts as the centrepiece of the bedroom.
It can:
- Create balance in the room
- Introduce texture and softness
- Enhance the colour palette
- Give the bed a more elevated, refined character
In many premium interiors, the headboard is the defining element of the entire space.
Asked questions
What size should a headboard be?
It should match the width of the bed or be slightly wider. For larger beds, a 184 cm headboard is a common choice.
How high should a headboard be?
Ylse headboards are made in a standard height of 90 cm and mounted according to your specific measurements. A guide is included upon delivery.
Are bespoke headboards worth it?
Yes. A made-to-measure headboard allows you to create a unique design that fits your room perfectly.
Can a headboard be wider than the bed?
Yes. Many headboards are made wider than the mattress to create a more luxurious, hotel-inspired feel.
Summary
A bespoke headboard allows you to create a bedroom where proportions, materials and design work in perfect harmony.
By choosing the right size, height and fabric, you can create a space that feels both personal and timeless.
Whether you prefer Scandinavian minimalism, French elegance or a hotel-inspired aesthetic, a custom headboard is one of the most impactful ways to elevate a bedroom.
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