10 Midcentury Modern Headboards to Elevate Your Bedroom

Make a real statement with a midcentury modern headboard. Here are 10 vintage eBay finds that run the gamut of sizes, materials, and configurations.
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Whether bold or understated, a headboard can easily become a focal point in a bedroom. We love the clean lines and graphic nature of midcentury pieces—especially when they integrate storage, shelving, and bedside tables. Read on for some of our favorite eBay finds that will help you create a stylish, comfortable, and functional bedroom. 

Geometric Walnut Twin Headboards by Dixie

This charming pair of walnut headboards would work wonderfully in a child's room or a guest room with two twin beds. The geometric half-circles provide an eye-catching detail in the otherwise simple wood frames. Dixie Furniture was founded in 1946 in Charleston, South Carolina, and continues to sell furniture out of their multiple locations in the area.

This charming pair of walnut headboards would work wonderfully in a child's room or a guest room with two twin beds. The geometric half-circles provide an eye-catching detail in the otherwise simple wood frames. Dixie Furniture was founded in 1946 in Charleston, South Carolina, and continues to sell furniture out of their multiple locations in the area.

This unique headboard set consists of a twin and king headboard by renowned Mexican designer Arturo Pani. Pani became known for the "Acapulco look" coined by his iconic 1950s designs for several resorts in the region. Working primarily in gilded iron, Pani created designs that were exuberant and modern but based off neoclassical forms. These headboards are exactly that—made in Mexico in 1958, they feature clean, geometric lines that form curved metal tulips with lacquered wood leaves. 

This unique headboard set consists of a twin and king headboard by renowned Mexican designer Arturo Pani. Pani became known for the "Acapulco look" coined by his iconic 1950s designs for several resorts in the region. Working primarily in gilded iron, Pani created designs that were exuberant and modern but based off neoclassical forms. These headboards are exactly that—made in Mexico in 1958, they feature clean, geometric lines that form curved metal tulips with lacquered wood leaves. 

This two-tone maple and mahogany headboard combines simple design with solid, quality materials. The mahogany border detailing creates a frame out of the headboard, emphasizing the bed as the focal point of the room.

This two-tone maple and mahogany headboard combines simple design with solid, quality materials. The mahogany border detailing creates a frame out of the headboard, emphasizing the bed as the focal point of the room.

Get more bang for your buck with this two-in-one furnishing: It's both a headboard and a set of elegant, almost gravity-defying bedside tables. The drawers provide some storage, and the overall dimensions and profile of the piece make it a space-saver for smaller bedrooms. The headboard was designed by V.B. Wilkins for the British company G Plan's Fresco line. G Plan, although established in 1898, became one of the largest manufacturers of English furniture in the 1950s.

Get more bang for your buck with this two-in-one furnishing: It's both a headboard and a set of elegant, almost gravity-defying bedside tables. The drawers provide some storage, and the overall dimensions and profile of the piece make it a space-saver for smaller bedrooms. The headboard was designed by V.B. Wilkins for the British company G Plan's Fresco line. G Plan, although established in 1898, became one of the largest manufacturers of English furniture in the 1950s.

We envision this red and white headboard by Vista of California as providing that fabulous pop of color in an otherwise mostly white bedroom. The credenza-style headboard provides storage, making it easy to reach overhead and pick up a book or leave behind your eyeglasses. It also offers a great way to save space without sacrificing storage in a narrow bedroom. We love the combination of the metal frame with the white Formica top, gray wood, and red sliding pegboard doors.

We envision this red and white headboard by Vista of California as providing that fabulous pop of color in an otherwise mostly white bedroom. The credenza-style headboard provides storage, making it easy to reach overhead and pick up a book or leave behind your eyeglasses. It also offers a great way to save space without sacrificing storage in a narrow bedroom. We love the combination of the metal frame with the white Formica top, gray wood, and red sliding pegboard doors.

This king-sized headboard makes a simple but bold statement—especially when paired with the matching bedside tables (although we tend to be fans of breaking up bedroom sets). Created by renowned 1960s and 1970s designer Milo Baughman, the headboard is luxurious yet simple. It's made of book-matched rosewood with accents of brass.

This king-sized headboard makes a simple but bold statement—especially when paired with the matching bedside tables (although we tend to be fans of breaking up bedroom sets). Created by renowned 1960s and 1970s designer Milo Baughman, the headboard is luxurious yet simple. It's made of book-matched rosewood with accents of brass.

It's all about simplicity and proportions with this elegant wood headboard made in Denmark. Simple details, like the slim proportions of the teak frame, the rounded edges of the corners, and the even spacing of the wood grain, are classic characteristics of midcentury Danish design. We could imagine this piece being dressed up with some fun, bold, patterned accent pillows!

It's all about simplicity and proportions with this elegant wood headboard made in Denmark. Simple details, like the slim proportions of the teak frame, the rounded edges of the corners, and the even spacing of the wood grain, are classic characteristics of midcentury Danish design. We could imagine this piece being dressed up with some fun, bold, patterned accent pillows!

As one of the many high-end furniture showrooms in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the 1950s and 1960s, John Stuart, Inc. sold furniture that ranged in style from early English and French revival to more modern offerings. This king-sized headboard consists of geometric ovals linked together in a rectilinear frame that is at once classic and modern, simple yet glamorous.

As one of the many high-end furniture showrooms in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the 1950s and 1960s, John Stuart, Inc. sold furniture that ranged in style from early English and French revival to more modern offerings. This king-sized headboard consists of geometric ovals linked together in a rectilinear frame that is at once classic and modern, simple yet glamorous.

Whereas our other headboard pick with integrated bedside tables is delicate and gravity-defying, this one is low and grounded, with rounded edges, a rich finish, and an almost masculine edge. It was designed by the well-known Danish furniture company Bernhard Pedersen & Son, which was founded in 1902 and is still producing many classic pieces today as a fourth generation, family-run business.

Whereas our other headboard pick with integrated bedside tables is delicate and gravity-defying, this one is low and grounded, with rounded edges, a rich finish, and an almost masculine edge. It was designed by the well-known Danish furniture company Bernhard Pedersen & Son, which was founded in 1902 and is still producing many classic pieces today as a fourth generation, family-run business.

Consisting of dozens of cuts of walnut pieced together like a patchwork quilt, this chunky headboard was designed by American furniture designer Paul R. Evans, who was inspired by the brutalist, hulking concrete structures of the 1970s. The four large panels feature smooth, regular grids of walnut tiles, while the intermediate sections are more irregular and blocky, providing contrasting texture.

Consisting of dozens of cuts of walnut pieced together like a patchwork quilt, this chunky headboard was designed by American furniture designer Paul R. Evans, who was inspired by the brutalist, hulking concrete structures of the 1970s. The four large panels feature smooth, regular grids of walnut tiles, while the intermediate sections are more irregular and blocky, providing contrasting texture.

Kate Reggev
॰ Architect & Preservationist ॰ Lover of buildings old, new, & everything in between! Inbox me at kate.reggev@gmail.com

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