7 Hardworking Headboards That Offer Storage
Try building storage into this often overlooked spot
Amanda Pollard
21 September 2018
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Headboards – they’re great for adding extra comfort for your night-time reading or early morning cuppa, but there are other ways you can use these handy pieces of furniture, too.
With a bit of clever design and some expert joinery know-how, you can create a beautiful headboard that contains some very useful extra storage.
With a bit of clever design and some expert joinery know-how, you can create a beautiful headboard that contains some very useful extra storage.
1. Divide the space
This narrow room could have been very short on shelf space without the clever headboard with storage at the back of the bed.
The designers have created a bookcase and bedside table, with plenty of room for reading matter and accessories. The storage headboard also acts as a handy divider, zoning off the space behind, which the owners can use as a dressing area.
If you’re wondering how to build a headboard with shelves in your own home, be aware of the space around the unit. Here, the designers have left a gap above the bookcase to maintain the feeling of flow in the compact room.
This narrow room could have been very short on shelf space without the clever headboard with storage at the back of the bed.
The designers have created a bookcase and bedside table, with plenty of room for reading matter and accessories. The storage headboard also acts as a handy divider, zoning off the space behind, which the owners can use as a dressing area.
If you’re wondering how to build a headboard with shelves in your own home, be aware of the space around the unit. Here, the designers have left a gap above the bookcase to maintain the feeling of flow in the compact room.
2. Go round the bend
This curved headboard with storage seems to be part of the bed, which adds to its ergonomic feel.
The clever design is packed with useful shelving, with two-tier bedside tables that curve around to the sides of the bed and handy compartments at the back.
The curved top is also home to a couple of practical reading lamps.
The beauty of a headboard like this is that it allows you to move the bed away from the wall. This works well in a room with little available wall space, or when you want to wake up closer to a beautiful view like this one.
This curved headboard with storage seems to be part of the bed, which adds to its ergonomic feel.
The clever design is packed with useful shelving, with two-tier bedside tables that curve around to the sides of the bed and handy compartments at the back.
The curved top is also home to a couple of practical reading lamps.
The beauty of a headboard like this is that it allows you to move the bed away from the wall. This works well in a room with little available wall space, or when you want to wake up closer to a beautiful view like this one.
3. Build in a desk
The smart bed with headboard storage in this room doubles up as a bureau. The deep recess contains shelves for books and stationery, and a hatch folds down to form a mini desk.
The owner can perch the surface on their pillows and do some work from the comfortable mattress in front of it.
It might not suit someone who often works from home, but it’s perfect for a teenager who needs an extra spot to do homework.
The smart bed with headboard storage in this room doubles up as a bureau. The deep recess contains shelves for books and stationery, and a hatch folds down to form a mini desk.
The owner can perch the surface on their pillows and do some work from the comfortable mattress in front of it.
It might not suit someone who often works from home, but it’s perfect for a teenager who needs an extra spot to do homework.
4. Keep it comfy
As well as including storage, don’t forget to add some all-important comfort to your headboard. Here, a wide structure features shelves, bedside tables and lamp fittings, but also a padded surface covered in soft fabric.
Think about how you like to sit in your bed, too: this one has an upright design, perfect for those who like to be propped up straight while reading. If you prefer to lie back slightly, go for a surface that slopes.
As well as including storage, don’t forget to add some all-important comfort to your headboard. Here, a wide structure features shelves, bedside tables and lamp fittings, but also a padded surface covered in soft fabric.
Think about how you like to sit in your bed, too: this one has an upright design, perfect for those who like to be propped up straight while reading. If you prefer to lie back slightly, go for a surface that slopes.
5. Maximise the sides
The beauty of a custom-made storage headboard is its versatility: you can design it to fit your needs and bedroom layout perfectly.
Here, as in some of the other examples, the headboard creates a useful division between the wardrobes and the bed. This allows easy access to the back and sides of the structure, which the designers have capitalised on by adding inset shelving at either end.
7 steps to an expensive-looking bedroom
The beauty of a custom-made storage headboard is its versatility: you can design it to fit your needs and bedroom layout perfectly.
Here, as in some of the other examples, the headboard creates a useful division between the wardrobes and the bed. This allows easy access to the back and sides of the structure, which the designers have capitalised on by adding inset shelving at either end.
7 steps to an expensive-looking bedroom
6. Utilise the eaves
In a loft bedroom, the space beneath the sloped ceiling can be an awkward area to navigate around, so it makes sense to use it for storage.
Here, the designers have built a false wall to be used as a headboard. The depth of the structure allows enough room for a large internal cavity, which can be accessed via the hatches on top.
In a loft bedroom, the space beneath the sloped ceiling can be an awkward area to navigate around, so it makes sense to use it for storage.
Here, the designers have built a false wall to be used as a headboard. The depth of the structure allows enough room for a large internal cavity, which can be accessed via the hatches on top.
7. Pop in a perch
How’s this for a handy design? The bed sits in front of a wall of cupboards, which have plenty of space for bed linen, clothes and everything else you might need to store in a bedroom.
Two smaller cupboards either side of the pillow area are perfect for bits and pieces. And where to rest a bedtime book? A simple yet super-effective shelf attached to the cabinet door.
TELL US
Would you like to design something like this in your own bedroom? Or have you already created a similar piece? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
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Browse beds and headboards
How’s this for a handy design? The bed sits in front of a wall of cupboards, which have plenty of space for bed linen, clothes and everything else you might need to store in a bedroom.
Two smaller cupboards either side of the pillow area are perfect for bits and pieces. And where to rest a bedtime book? A simple yet super-effective shelf attached to the cabinet door.
TELL US
Would you like to design something like this in your own bedroom? Or have you already created a similar piece? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse beds and headboards
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slrslr - I bought two narrow three drawer chests instead of bedside cabinets when I bought my bedroom furniture. They are higher than bedside cabinets, give easier access for high beds and have plenty of storage. Works so well for me!
Have to admit that I prefer my bed right up against a wall... It feels better that way than stuck in the middle of a room!
The curved headboard looks such a perfect design and at first I thought it took space from the bed, but it doesn't - it adds space, hidden space at the back and sides. I also like the idea of sleeping in the middle of a room with the wardrobe behind me. It's far easier to clean around a bed like this especially if you hate dust in a bedroom. They have all made wonderful use of an extended headboard. We are so used to flat, uninviting, hard to clean or wooden dust traps that we haven't yet extended our thinking to useful storage in a headboard. I have flaps on hinges that give extra support whilst reading. 1960's headboards with drawers attached are useful, except I once slept in one of those and somebody hadn't tightened up the relevant screws, so apart from wobbling and squeaking all night, it was also sort of floating apart from the bed, which comes down to simple maintenance.