Designing bedheads with Alyssa Owens

A well-designed bedhead can be the difference between a space that simply functions and one that feels truly considered. As the largest upholstered piece in a bedroom, it’s a perfect canvas for material expression. They're an opportunity to introduce texture, colour, and pattern in a substantial way that immediately communicates the room's character.

At Heron House, our gold Panthera velvet makes quite a confident statement about luxury, while at Stables House, the soft Rose Gold Sahel whispers rather than shouts—both are effective in establishing the room's identity. When designed with care, a bedhead transforms not just the look of a space but how clients experience their most personal sanctuary day after day.

The architecture of the space always comes first and I look at ceiling height, light, and the overall proportions to guide my initial thinking. In period homes like Stables House, with its generous Victorian proportions, I tend to favour taller, more substantial profiles that honour the scale of the space. For contemporary settings, I might opt for something more minimal and streamlined.

I try to start with the emotional response my client and I want the room to evoke. For Heron House, we were after something indulgent and confident. Catherine Martin's Panthera in gold was perfect – it's inspired by Elvis's stage costumes and jewellery and is just so deliciously rich in person. When I showed my client the sample, there was this beautiful moment of recognition; she'd already been drawn to it independently, which confirmed we were absolutely on the right track.

For Stables House, we took a different approach. The Rose Gold Sahel linen brought an understated luxury that allowed other elements to shine while still feeling special and intentional. This attention to detail extends to how fabrics interact with light throughout the day. I'm a bit obsessive about lighting – I'll bring fabric samples into the space at different times to see how they transform. A fabric that looks subtle at noon might read completely differently by lamplight. Sahel was exactly this way.

Ultimately, I'm guided by my client’s stories, instincts, and practical needs. I start with them and let that shape everything else. Understanding what excites them while acknowledging real-life considerations like little fingers or four-legged family members ensures we create a space that's not just visually stunning but truly liveable and meaningful to them.

These fabrics have been transformative in completely different ways. The Panthera velvet in Heron House became the room's defining element – a luxurious statement that set the tone for everything else. It allowed us to keep the rest of the room relatively restrained while still achieving that sense of drama my client craved. The room revolves around that bedhead – it's the first thing you notice and sets up this wonderful visual rhythm with the other golden tones we incorporated through lighting, art and rugs.

With Sahel in Rose Gold at Stables House, the approach was more nuanced. The fabric's beautiful texture and subtle hue provided a sophisticated foundation that complemented rather than dominated. Its warmth played beautifully against the burl wood furniture and silk pendant, creating this cohesive dialogue between elements. Sahel has this wonderful quality of appearing differently as light changes throughout the day – sometimes appearing more neutral, other times revealing its beautiful blush undertones. This versatility made it perfect for clients who wanted something timeless yet distinctive.

Absolutely. I'm seeing bedheads transform from afterthought to statement piece, growing in both scale and design ambition. Timid rectangles are disappearing in favour of pieces with presence. We're seeing more architectural forms – exaggerated curves, asymmetrical shapes, extended wings that wrap partially around nightstands. Really, what excites me most is that clients are now approaching bedheads as art pieces rather than just functional furniture. They're becoming central to the design narrative rather than supporting players.

I'm loving this return to tactile bedding that feels collected rather than purchased. That terracotta checkered coverlet we used at Stables House is a great example – it has this wonderful handwoven quality. The pattern creates movement across the surface, transforming how you experience the entire room. There's something almost nostalgic about the bold pattern, yet the execution feels modern.

The restraint of all-white bedding feels like its given way to more expressive choices. Earthy tones and especially textural variations that create depth. Quilts have made such a triumphant return to bedrooms lately. I'm seeing them appear in both traditional patchwork forms and more modern interpretations like plush velvet – a trend I find particularly exciting.

Learn more about soft furnishings for bedrooms in our previous article: Bedding & Bedheads.