By filling in the rigid edges with plush colors of upholstery, modern headboards of the buttoned up, bendable, and modular variety are exposing the real potential of taut fabrics and leathers in bedding design. In our Top Ten list this week we take a look at the modern headboards whose wooden structures use a bit of padding and upholstery of all colors. By spinning in a touch of originality, they’re currently the softest, most influential upholstered headboards in the contemporary market.

Top Ten: Modern Upholstered Headboards.

Upholstered Headboards Create a Soft, Modern Backdrop to Luxurious Bedroom Designs

1. Aurora Due
DESIGNER: Tito Agnoli
MANUFACTURER: Poltrona Frau
PRICE: $7,160 – 8,130
Dimensions: 67″W x 88.25″D x 43.75″H; 80″W x 88.25″D x 43.75″H

The elegant lines that Tito Agnoli’s design of the Aurora Due bed by Poltrona Frau creates are accentuated by a headboard made from beech wood that is cushioned and upholstered in supple Pelle Frau® leather. Standing off of the ground, other than its headboard and the metal trapezoidal plank base beneath, it is projects a lightweight but divinely comfortable feel.

2. Brooklyn
DESIGNER: Wolfgang Joop
MANUFACTURER: Neue Wiener Werkstätte
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 70.9″- 83.9″W x 47.25″H x 90.2″L

The cushioned vertical lines are labeled as “the visual hallmark” of the Brooklyn bed that Wolfgang Joop designed for Neue Wiener Werkstätte. The nook formed by the encapsulating headboard is accessorized with the thoughtful placement of symmetrical trays for nightstand accessories within reach.

3. Oyo
DESIGNER: Paolo Piva
MANUFACTURER: Wittman
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 40.9″- 84.25″W x 37″- 51.2″H x 4.3″D

Completely throwing normal bed designs for a loop, literally, the Oyo by Paolo Piva for Wittman is a comfortable new headboard that morphs to fit your needs both morning and night. Using a bending mechanism, each side of the bed can be turned forward to fit your reading, sleeping, and breakfast in bed desires.

4. Sanaz
MANUFACTURER: IQMatics
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: queen or king sizes

The wide-set, spindle feet of this high-end, Italian-made bed captivate our attention. Standing behind, the headboard is finished in a soft fabric, ecological leather, premium leather or crocodile leather by IQMatics. For the addition of a little glamour, the cushioned headboard of the Sanaz bed may also come adorned in optional Swarovski buttons.

5. STEPX2
MANUFACTURER: Holzmanufaktur
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 35.4″- 78.7″W x 74.8″- 86.6″L x 33″- 41″H

Made using core beech, maple, elm, oak, cherry or walnut wood, the STEPX2 by Holzmanufacktur is a German-made bed design that goes for sheer minimalism while remaining comfortable. The surface of the wood is treated with a natural resin oil and hot wax to match the solid, simple feel of fabric or leather upholstery on the headboard.

6. Arch
MANUFACTURER: Lorin Marsh
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: n/a; fits king size mattress

Undoing the modern collection of horizontal headboards with an arched design just like its name might suggest, Lorin Marsh creates the king-sized Arch bed out of a carved white lacquer and interior upholstery. Using metal buttons to cinch the plush cushioned front of the headboard to its structure, the Arch can be customized to fit unique preferences.

7. Mauritius
MANUFACTURER: Milano Bedding
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 33.5″- 80.7″W x 81.9″- 85.8″L

Characterized by a decorative floral design that is quilted into the machine-washable upholstery of the Mauritius headboard, this Milano Bedding piece can come with either a fixed slatted bedstead or with two storage variations: regular storage beneath the mattress, or regular storage plus the “Komodo storage” option that raises the slatted bedstead to ease the bed linen’s fit.

8. Preston
MANUFACTURER: Motif Designs
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 44″W x 58″H (twin); 67.5″W x 58″H (queen); 83.5″W x 58″H (king)

Pillowy and tufted in all of its grandeur, the Preston headboard by Motif Designs calls upon the hospitality design inspiration for a luxe effect. The buttoned headboard is available with an upholstery in COM or in three different leathers to finish the subdued, high headboard as you wish.

9. Patchwork
DESIGNER: Rafa García
MANUFACTURER: Sancal
PRICE: Available upon request
Dimensions: 35.4″- 70.9″W x 74.8″- 78.7″L

“Patchwork panels represent a shift of perspective,” writes Sancal of the bed design by Rafa García. “Inspired by the traditional patchwork quilt, the idea is to bring this rich mosaic of shapes, textures and colors from the bedspread to the wall, as a headboard.” Using the look of unkempt angles and mismatching neutral shades, the 4 separate pieces are modular and can be interchanged at the drop of a hat.

10. Leeon
DESIGNER: Ludovica + Roberto Palomba
MANUFACTURER: Driade
PRICE: $Price
Dimensions: 87.4″W x 87″D x 44″H

The Leeon bed, designed by the infamous duo of Ludovica+Roberto Palomba for Driade, uses a combination of wood and fiberglass to create the angled headboard structure under which the velvet or leather upholstery stretches. Featuring painted aluminum feet, the low-set bed is a gorgeous, tufted design that takes on a completely modern aesthetic.

Hope you enjoyed our roundup of the Top Ten Modern Upholstered Headboards!

Top Ten articles publish every Tuesday. Email 3rings@designerpages.com if there’s a category you’d like to see.