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An upholstered headboard not only adds an element of style, softness and comfort to the bed but also enhances the overall look of the bedroom. But the question is, which upholstery material is best suited for the headboard? This article lists the pros and cons of some trending upholstery materials that are widely used for the headboard. Take your pick.

1. Natural fabrics

The most common natural fabrics that are used for an upholstered headboard include materials such as cotton and linen.

Pros:

• Both linen and cotton have a tight weave that can last for years; add pillows for additional comfort.
• These natural fabrics are available in a variety of colours and patterns.
• Good-quality cotton and linen are considered to be organic upholstery materials with good anti-microbial properties.
• Both these natural fabrics are soft and feel comfortable when used for the upholstered headboard. Note that linen is more expensive than cotton.

Cons:

• Linen and cotton are prone to absorbing stains, they are not easy to maintain, especially if you have kids around.
• Both cotton and linen are susceptible to damage by sunlight and moisture.

Cleaning tips: The first step is to use a vacuum cleaner to clean all the dust from the headboard. Next clean the upholstered headboard with mild soap, water and a white cloth. Make a note that fresh stains should be cleaned through blotting with a clean absorbent cloth instead of rubbing.

2. Synthetic fabrics
 

Popular synthetic fabrics that are used for an upholstered headboard include materials such as polyester and chenille (a blend of cotton, rayon and polyester fibres).

Pros:

• Synthetic fabrics provide a lot of softness to the headboard, along with good cushioning to the back.
• These fabrics are more durable and stronger than natural fabrics such as linen or cotton.
• Synthetic fibres are highly resistant to most stains and fading.

Cons:

• Synthetic fabrics easily absorb oily stains that may become impossible to remove.
• Synthetic fabrics have the tendency to create static electricity and may produce electric sparks.

3. Velvet
 

Velvet is a luxurious fabric that enhances the overall look of the bedroom, like in this example. This fabric is manufactured with a combination of nylon, cotton and silk fibres.

Pros:

• Velvet has a very nice sheen that imparts a high-end luxurious look to bedroom.
• Velvet has a very soft texture, which feels very comfortable and cosy as a back support.
• This fabric has a very thick weave, which makes it a highly durable material.

4. Leather
 

Go for a leather-upholstered headboard if you wish to impart a sophisticated, high-end look to your bedroom.

Pros:

• Good-quality leather is very strong, highly durable and longer lasting than fabric upholstery.
• Leather is easy to maintain; stains can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth. Unlike fabric, leather doesn’t absorb smells and odours.
• The best part about using leather for the upholstery of the headboard is that leather ages very well.

Cons:

• Leather is prone to scratches.
• Another minus is that leather is available in limited colour options and may show inconsistency in colour.
• Leather is very expensive.