Wooden

The Positives

• Different Styles – Wooden headboards are surprisingly varied in style. From full board, to shaker-style panels, all the way through to rattan with all available in different wood types, each wooden headboard is entirely unique. No other person will have the same grain of wood as you, which adds a sense of character and charm to your bedroom.
• Easy To Clean – Spillages, sickness, dust and grime – they’re all easy enough to wipe off of most wooden headboards. With the exception of rattan headboards, panelled or board-style bed heads just need a quick wipe over or a dust to fully clean them off, making this a low-maintenance choice.

Be Aware Of…

• They Aren’t Comfortable – sitting up against a wooden headboard isn’t the most comfortable experience and you’ll need to prop up a cushion behind you or give up on sitting up in bed completely.
• Can Seem Uninviting – While wooden headboards can be warm in tone, they could be seen as uninviting compared to the softer upholstered alternative.

Metal

The Positives

• Easy to Clean – Metal headboards, just like wooden ones, are easy to wipe down in the case of mess or general dust and grime. With the right metal and regular light cleaning, you can prevent tarnishing too, keeping your metal headboard looking brand new for longer.
• Durability – Metal bedframes are notorious for being sturdy, solid and tough, with the ability withstand considerable weight. A metal headboard has the same benefits, with a low likelihood of damage.

Be Aware Of…

• They Can Be Noisy – When the bolts or welding start to become loose over time, metal headboards and bed frames can start to creak and groan more than any other material.
• It May Be Cold – Metal holds onto cold temperatures more than wood or upholstered material, making it more uncomfortable to sit against or you may find that your bedroom needs just a little bit more heating to get it up to comfortable levels during the colder months.

Upholstered

The Positives

• They are comfortable – cushioned and upholstered headboards are comfortable to rest against, perfect for anyone who sits up in bed reading, on a laptop or watching TV.
• There’s Huge Variety – There’s a seemingly never-ending supply of different fabrics in the world and in most cases, you can find a headboard covered in your material of choice. The colour and pattern choices are also plentiful, which is ideal for anyone wanting to step away from the limitations of wood or metal headboards.

Be Wary Of…

• They Can Be Hard To Maintain – Depending on the material you choose, an upholstered headboard can be difficult to maintain and keep clean. While leather and faux leather can easily be wiped down in the case of accidents or dirt build up, fabric tends to need more intensive cleaning or shampooing.
• It’s Breakable – Fabric headboards are prone to tearing, wearing down and other accidents that can’t be as easily fixed as with a wooden or metal alternative. While wooden headboards could see scratches, a scratch to a fabric headboard may result in a torn material which isn’t as simple to fix or buff out.