Headboard history. The pictorial history of the headboard starts with the Egyptian pharaohs. Headboards carved in ebony, silver and gold (clearly more for show than comfort) are depicted in many early drawings.

Next were the Greeks and Romans. More practical in their approach, they designed a basic wooden platform with a headboard to protect themselves from cold drafts. The headboard allowed them to eat and even socialize around the bed, making the bedroom the main entertaining area in the home.

With the Middle Ages came the canopy and fourposter designs. More intricate and elaborate, the bed became the most expensive and important piece of furniture in both rich and poor homes.

The Tudor reproduction headboard and base shown here are simply decorated and perfect examples of the era, yet they fit comfortably in a 21st-century setting.

Canopy with headboard. In the 13th century the canopy, or tester, was born out of necessity and then popular for its grandeur. The canopy was suspended from the ceiling beams using ropes, and fabric was then draped over to act as insulation against the bitter winter cold.

When gentry traveled between their city and country homes, they frequently took beds with them. Portable beds were known as trussing beds. Staff was assigned to dismantle, transport and then assemble them again.

The canopy headboard shown is a modern take on a medieval design. The scallop edging on the canopy harmonizes with the timber fretwork on the headboard. The amount of fabric and the detail in the canopy design make this a more expensive style. If you find an inexpensive fabric that you like both sides of, you won't need to line it, which can keep costs down.

Fourposter with headboard. The 15th century saw the invention of the fourposter bed. With or without draping fabric, this design became the rock star of the furniture world, with only the truly wealthy owning such a status symbol.

Ash, mahogany and oak were just a few of the timbers used during this time. With reproduction furniture, the harder the timber species, the more expensive the piece will generally be. More intricate designs tend to add to the overall cost, too.

This Juliet-style reproduction fourposter with canopy and headboard has delicate gold-painted details, giving the room a worldly, sophisticated feel.

Upholstered headboard. Upholstered headboards (or stuffers, as they were originally known) became popular during the 17th century, as the demand for comfort increased and draping fabric on canopy beds died out. The bedroom became more private during this time, and the need to show off had moved to other rooms in the home.

The choice of fabric is as important as the design of an upholstered headboard. Oils from hair and skin can quickly damage and stain a headboard. Leather is an extremely durable fabric but can be spendy. Some vinyl fabrics look just as good and can cost much less.

The design of the button-tufted, upholstered headboard shown considers both genders in this bedroom and has a sophisticated and elegant look.

Iron headboard. The beauty, strength and value of the iron headboard and base are cherished by all those who own one. In the later part of the 19th century, artisans hand poured and polished iron bed frames. When World War I started, they stopped, as the iron was needed to make weapons. The end of this war saw handmade items replaced with assembly line products.

New iron headboards now come in many different powder-coated colors and finishes. If custom is important to you, then this is the way to go. Make sure your headboard is made from cold-rolled steel, as it has a higher tensile strength and will not dent like hot-rolled steel.

Antique iron headboards are not cheap, but they do come with a real sense of history. A new iron headboard is comparable in price to a standard timber headboard and base that don't have a lot of carving detail.

Combination headboard. Regardless of the style or shape, a headboard will help anchor your room's design. If you need inspiration for the rest of the room's furnishings, start with the headboard. By taking ideas from the past, mixing different materials and modern methods, you can achieve stunning results.

This wood-framed headboard and base with shagreen panels and bone trim takes a few ancient design ideas (some previously mentioned) and creates a smart, contemporary look for this bedroom.