It’s one of those home styling questions that sounds simple, until you actually have to decide. Should your headboard match your curtains? Or your cushions? Or neither? How do you pull everything together without making it feel like a matchy-matchy hotel suite?
The good news is, there’s no strict rulebook. However, there are a few insider tips that can help you create a space that feels intentional, stylish, and totally “you”, whether you prefer bold drama or calming neutrals.
Option 1: Match Your Headboard and Curtains
If you love a cohesive, pulled-together look, matching your headboard and curtains is a safe and stylish option. It works particularly well in bedrooms where you want a serene, seamless feel, especially with soft, tonal fabrics like velvets, linens or cottons.
Go for the same fabric and colour if you want a subtle, layered look. Or mix things up slightly by using the same fabric in different shades. Consider a navy linen headboard paired with soft blue curtains; close enough to coordinate, but still with a hint of contrast.
This approach works brilliantly in traditional homes, or in modern rooms where the architecture is simple and the soft furnishings are the main event.
Option 2: Match Your Headboard and Cushions
Matching your headboard to your cushions is a great way to tie the bed into the rest of the room without overwhelming it. It creates a mini “story” around the bed, especially if the curtains are neutral or understated.
This combo works really well if you’ve got a bold headboard (florals, stripes or rich colours) and want to echo that print or shade without going full-on with every window. Just repeat the fabric in a couple of scatter cushions and it instantly feels intentional.
You can also mix scales here: a large floral headboard with a small geometric cushion (or vice versa). It stops things from feeling too ‘designed’.
Option 3: Mix All Three (But Do It Cleverly)
If you’re more of a maximalist or just love a layered look, you can mix and match headboard, curtain, and cushion fabrics; the key is to keep one consistent thread.
Pick a colour family, say earthy neutrals, dusty pinks or classic blues, and build from there. Your headboard might be textured wool, your curtains a soft patterned cotton, and your cushions a blend of both colours in a bold print. The result? A room that feels full of depth, but still harmonious.
Pro Tip: It’s All About Quality and Fit
No matter which way you go, made-to-measure is what makes it look high-end rather than thrown together. The right fit, the right fabric, and the right finish will always beat off-the-shelf.
Made-to-Measure Curtains, Cushions and Headboards from The Sewing House
Whether you’re into matching sets or creative contrasts, we’ve got you covered. Buy your made-to-measure curtains, cushions and headboards from The Sewing House for perfectly coordinated, beautifully finished soft furnishings that are made just for your space.