Choose a double TV bed with a standard headboard if your room is compact, you want a clean, low key look and floor space is your priority. Choose a wingback TV bed if you have a little more width to spare, enjoy sitting up in bed to watch or read and want the bed to be the focal point of the room. Both use the same lift technology. The real difference is in the headboard, the footprint and the feeling the bed gives the room.
Both styles sit side by side in our collection of modern TV beds UK, and the question of which to pick comes up often. This guide sets out how they differ in practice so you can make a confident decision for your own bedroom.
The comparison can be confusing, because a wingback TV bed can also be a double. In everyday use, a “double TV bed” usually refers to a design with a straight, flat or panelled headboard in a 135 by 190cm size. A “wingback TV bed” describes a headboard shape: the sides curve or angle forwards, like the wings on a traditional armchair, creating a partly enclosed space around the pillows.
So the decision is less about mattress size and more about style and proportion. You can find wingback designs in double, king size and super king size, just as you can find standard headboards in every size.
As with any piece of bedroom furniture UK sale, the right choice comes down to the room you have and how you plan to use it.
A standard double TV bed has a headboard that sits flat against the wall. It may be plain, panelled, stitched or buttoned, but its outline is straightforward. That simplicity brings several advantages.
It takes up less width. With no wings extending beyond the mattress, the frame sits closer to the mattress width. In a narrow room, those few centimetres can decide whether bedside tables fit comfortably.
It suits a wide range of interiors. A straight headboard is easy to style. It works in minimal, contemporary and transitional rooms and does not compete with other furniture.
It keeps sightlines open. In a small bedroom or a studio, a flat headboard lets light move freely across the room, which helps the space feel larger.
The main limitation is that it offers less of a cocooning feel. If you spend long evenings sitting up against the headboard, you may find yourself relying on extra cushions for support.
A wingback headboard wraps slightly around the top of the bed. It is often taller than a standard headboard and usually generously padded. The effect is a bed that feels enclosed, sheltered and distinctly comfortable.
It is more supportive for sitting up. The wings provide something to lean against from the side as well as the back, which many people find more comfortable when watching a film from the TV footboard.
It makes a stronger design statement. A wingback has a sculptural, tailored presence. It brings character to bedrooms with high ceilings and works well in period properties.
It can reduce draughts and light. The wings offer a gentle buffer from a nearby window or door, which some people appreciate in older homes.
The trade off is size. A wingback frame is wider at the head end and often taller, so it needs a room with enough width and ceiling height to feel balanced. In a small room, it can feel heavy.
| Consideration | Standard double TV bed | Wingback TV bed |
|---|---|---|
| Width at the head | Close to the mattress width | Wider, as the wings extend outwards |
| Headboard height | Usually low to medium | Often medium to tall |
| Comfort sitting up | Good, with cushions | Very good, with side support |
| Visual weight | Light and understated | Strong and sculptural |
| Room size | Suits small and medium rooms | Suits medium and larger rooms |
| Style range | Minimal to contemporary | Classic, glamorous or modern tailored |
Many UK bedrooms, particularly in terraced houses and new builds, are long and narrow. Here, every centimetre of width counts. A standard double TV bed leaves more space for bedside tables and for walking along the side of the bed. If you love the wingback look, measure the widest point of the headboard carefully before committing.
Tall wingback headboards draw the eye upward, which can make a low ceiling feel even lower. A standard headboard of moderate height keeps the room in proportion. Remember too that the television rises from the footboard, so check that there is clearance above it regardless of headboard style.
In a generous room, a standard headboard can sometimes look a little lost. A wingback fills the wall more convincingly and gives the room a clear focal point. Pair it with substantial bedside cabinets so the composition feels balanced.
High ceilings, picture rails and tall sash windows suit the stature of a wingback. Its silhouette echoes traditional furniture while the TV lift keeps the room practical for modern life.
Both styles come in fabric, velvet and leather finishes, and the material changes the character of each. A wingback in velvet feels rich and enveloping. The same frame in a textured weave feels relaxed and modern. A standard double in faux leather looks crisp and graphic, while the same frame in a linen look fabric feels softer and lighter.
If you lean towards a woven finish, our double fabric beds UK sale show how different textures work across headboard shapes. Fabric tends to suit wingbacks particularly well, because it softens their strong outline.
The way you spend time in bed is one of the clearest guides. Ask yourself a few honest questions.
If you sit up often and want the bed to feel like a comfortable retreat, a wingback earns its extra width. If the bed is mainly for sleeping and the TV is an occasional extra, a standard headboard is simpler to live with.
It is also worth considering where else you sit in the bedroom. If you have space for a reading chair, the bed does not need to do all the work. A compact armchair from our modern bedroom chairs UK collection can complement a standard double, offering a separate spot for reading or dressing.
Standard double: keep bedding layered but tidy, add a pair of matching lamps and use artwork above the headboard to add height and interest. A long lumbar cushion helps when sitting up.
Wingback: let the headboard lead. Keep the wall behind it simple, use plain or subtly textured bedding and avoid too many cushions, which can crowd the wings. Wall lights mounted just outside the wings work well and free up bedside surfaces.
For more inspiration on how bedrooms are being styled, our article on bedroom furniture trends to try in UK homes looks at shapes, materials and colours that are shaping the look of the room.
Whichever headboard you choose, the lift mechanism should be your next focus. Check the maximum screen size and weight, the bracket fitting and where the power supply connects. Consider whether you want an ottoman base for storage, and make sure the overall length of the frame, including the footboard, suits your room.
A standard double TV bed is the practical, adaptable option for smaller rooms and simpler schemes. A wingback TV bed is the comfortable, characterful choice for anyone with space to spare and a love of sitting up in bed. Measure carefully, think about your habits and choose the one that feels right in your room. Our full bedroom collection is available to explore at Furniture in Fashion.
A wingback can use the same double mattress, but the headboard is wider and often taller because of the wings. Check the overall width and height of the frame before choosing.
Many people find them more comfortable for sitting up, because the wings provide side support as well as back support.
It can, but the extra width and height may feel heavy. In compact rooms, a standard headboard usually leaves more space and keeps the room feeling open.
Generally, yes. The headboard style does not change how the footboard lift works, so the same checks on screen size, weight and power apply to both.
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