A plain fabric double bed is the more versatile choice: it suits modern, minimal and mixed schemes, is easy to clean and works in rooms of almost any size. A buttoned fabric bed brings a more classic, tailored look with extra cushioning on the headboard, and it suits bedrooms where you want the bed to feel like a statement or where you often sit up to read. The real question is less about size and more about style, comfort and how much detail you want in the room.
To clarify the terms: “fabric double bed” here means a standard double sized upholstered bed with a plain or simply stitched headboard, while “buttoned” refers to a headboard (and sometimes side panels) finished with deep or shallow buttons. Buttoned designs are available in double size too, so you are really choosing a headboard style. Our modern double fabric beds UK sale include both, and our wider bedroom furniture UK range shows how each style sits within a full room.
A UK double mattress measures 135cm by 190cm. The frame around it adds width and length, and the amount varies by design. Plain upholstered doubles often have slim side rails and a flat headboard, keeping the overall footprint close to the mattress. Buttoned beds can be slightly deeper at the head because the padding behind the buttons adds thickness.
That difference is usually small, but in a compact bedroom it can matter. Always check the full frame dimensions in the product details, not just the mattress size. If space is particularly tight, our small double fabric beds UK offer a narrower footprint in both plain and buttoned styles.
Plain headboards are understated. They let the fabric colour and texture speak, and they leave room for bedding, art and accessories to take the lead. A plain headboard in a woven grey or oatmeal fabric is easy to restyle as your tastes change. Simple vertical stitching or piping adds subtle structure without fuss.
This style suits contemporary, Scandinavian and Japandi rooms, and it is a safe choice for guest bedrooms where you want broad appeal.
Buttoning creates a quilted pattern of soft hollows and raised padding. The effect ranges from shallow, modern buttoning in neat rows to deep diamond tufting with a traditional, almost Chesterfield character. Buttoned headboards catch light and shadow, so they look rich even in a plain fabric.
They suit classic, glamorous and traditional schemes, and they pair well with velvet upholstery, which makes the buttoning even more pronounced. A buttoned bed naturally becomes the focal point of a room.
If you read, work on a laptop or watch television in bed, the headboard matters more than you might think. Buttoned headboards generally have more padding, because the buttoning process needs a thicker layer of foam to pull into shape. That makes them comfortable to lean against for long periods.
Plain headboards vary. Some are well padded, others are thin panels with minimal cushioning. If comfort when sitting up is important, check the headboard description or look closely at the product images for depth.
Plain headboards are the easier of the two to maintain. A flat surface can be vacuumed quickly with a brush attachment, and spills are straightforward to blot.
Buttoned headboards need a little more attention. Dust can settle into the hollows around each button, so use a narrow brush or crevice tool to reach into them. Over many years, buttons can occasionally loosen, particularly on headboards that are leaned against heavily. Good quality buttoning is anchored firmly, and minor fixes are usually simple for an upholsterer.
Fabric choice affects upkeep for both styles. Tight woven fabrics are the most forgiving. Velvet looks beautiful on buttoned beds but can show pressing marks in the hollows. Pale shades on either style need more care around the headboard area.
In smaller rooms, a plain double with a medium height headboard keeps the space feeling open and calm. A buttoned bed can still work, but choose shallow buttoning and a lighter colour so it does not dominate.
Buttoned beds come into their own in bigger rooms, where the headboard has space to make an impression. A tall, deep buttoned headboard in velvet can anchor a large room and give it a boutique hotel feel.
In Victorian and Edwardian houses with cornicing, picture rails and fireplaces, buttoned beds often feel at home. They echo the detail of the architecture.
In modern homes with clean walls and simpler proportions, plain beds usually sit more naturally, though a softly buttoned design in a contemporary fabric can add welcome character.
A plain fabric double is a blank canvas. Layer patterned bedding or a bold throw, add a large print above, and choose bedside lamps with character. Natural wood, rattan and matte black metal all work well alongside it.
A buttoned bed already has plenty of detail, so keep bedding simpler. Crisp white, soft neutral or tonal bedding lets the buttoning stand out. Mirrored, glass and polished metal finishes suit buttoned designs, especially in velvet. Our mirrored bedroom furniture UK sale is a natural partner for a glamorous buttoned bed.
Whichever you choose, bedside pieces should sit at roughly mattress height. Our guide to bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms explains how to get the proportions right. For colour pairing ideas, our article on UK bedroom furniture colour trends covers shades that suit both styles.
The fabric you choose changes how each headboard style looks and lives. On a plain double, the fabric is almost the whole story. A textured weave, bouclé or cord gives a simple headboard more interest, while a smooth woven fabric keeps it crisp and understated. Because there is no buttoning to add shadow, a plain headboard in a very flat fabric can look a little stark in a room with limited natural light, so a touch of texture helps.
On a buttoned bed, the fabric interacts with the buttoning. Velvet is the classic partner, because its pile catches light around each button and makes the quilted pattern stand out. Linen and linen effect fabrics give buttoning a softer, more relaxed look that suits country and coastal rooms. Tight woven fabrics show the button pattern clearly and are the most practical if the bed sees heavy use.
Colour works in a similar way. Deeper shades exaggerate the shadows on a buttoned headboard, which adds drama. Lighter shades soften them, which can make buttoning feel more modern. On plain beds, colour is the main design choice, so it is worth bringing samples home and viewing them against your walls and bedding before deciding.
If you are still undecided, a few honest questions can settle it.
Answering these usually points clearly one way. Where it does not, consider a middle ground: a headboard with simple vertical channels or shallow buttoning offers some of the texture and comfort of a buttoned design with the clean lines of a plain one.
If you like to change your bedroom look every few years, or you want something easy to live with, a plain fabric double is a dependable choice. If you want the bed to be the star of the room and value a cushioned headboard, a buttoned design delivers both. Either way, check the frame, the fabric and the full dimensions before ordering.
You can compare both styles across our bed range at Furniture in Fashion. Returns are available up to 30 days.
Not necessarily. Shallow, neat buttoning in a modern fabric looks contemporary. Deep diamond tufting feels more traditional.
Dust can settle around the buttons, so use a narrow brush or crevice tool when vacuuming to keep the hollows clean.
Buttoned headboards usually have thicker padding, making them more comfortable for sitting up for long periods.
Yes, if you choose shallow buttoning, a medium height headboard and a lighter fabric colour.
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