A footboard TV bed is the better choice if you want a streamlined frame that keeps the room feeling open, particularly in a compact bedroom or one with a lower ceiling. A wingback TV bed is the better choice if you want a tall, enveloping headboard that supports you when sitting up and gives the room a stronger focal point. Both styles hide the television lift in the footboard. What separates them is the headboard, the overall silhouette and how much visual presence the bed has.
Both designs feature in our range of wingback and footboard TV beds UK, part of our wider bedroom furniture UK collection. Here is how they compare in the areas that make a daily difference.
Every TV bed has a footboard housing, because that is where the lift mechanism and television live. In what we call a footboard TV bed, that housing is the main design feature. The headboard is usually moderate in height and fairly flat, often with simple panels, stitching or a gentle curve. The result is a balanced, rectangular silhouette that sits neatly against the wall.
A wingback TV bed keeps the same footboard housing but pairs it with a much taller headboard whose sides curve or angle forwards, like the wings of a traditional armchair. Those wings frame the pillows and create a sheltered, cocooning feel. The headboard becomes the dominant element, and the bed reads as a statement piece.
Because TV beds encourage you to sit up and watch, the headboard matters more than on a standard bed. A wingback headboard is typically taller and more generously padded, and its wings offer something to lean into if you like to sit at an angle. Many people find it the more comfortable option for long evenings with a film or a book.
A footboard TV bed with a moderate headboard is still comfortable, especially with well chosen pillows, but it offers less support at shoulder height. If you mostly watch for half an hour before sleep, you may not notice the difference. If you spend whole weekend mornings in bed, the extra height of a wingback is worth considering.
In length, the two styles are broadly similar, since both have the same footboard housing. Width and height are where they differ. The wings on a wingback headboard often extend slightly beyond the side rails, which makes the bed a little wider at the head end. That can affect how closely you can place bedside tables and how easily you can get in and out on each side.
Height is the other factor. A tall wingback headboard needs enough wall above it to look intentional. In a room with a low ceiling, a sloping eaves wall or a window directly above the bed, it can feel crowded. A footboard TV bed with a lower headboard sits comfortably in those rooms and leaves space above for artwork or a shelf.
When planning bedside storage around a wingback, slimmer pieces work well. Compact slim bedside cabinets UK leave enough room beside the wings so the head end does not feel cramped.
A footboard TV bed has a calm, contemporary presence. It suits modern bedrooms, minimal schemes and rooms where you want other elements, such as a feature wall or a large window, to take centre stage. Because the silhouette is lower and simpler, it also helps a smaller room feel more open.
A wingback TV bed carries more visual weight. It anchors the room and gives it a hotel like, slightly formal character. In a large bedroom with high ceilings, such as those in many Victorian and Edwardian homes, a wingback can fill the space gracefully where a lower bed might look lost. In a small room, the same bed can feel imposing.
The two shapes respond differently to fabric. A wingback headboard shows off upholstery because of its large, curved surfaces. Soft chenille and velvet look particularly rich on a wingback, catching light along the curves. Deeper colours such as forest green, navy or charcoal give it a confident, tailored feel, while soft neutrals keep it gentle.
A footboard TV bed suits crisp finishes well. Faux leather, tightly woven fabrics and plain weaves emphasise its clean lines. Mid tones such as grey, stone and mushroom are easy to live with and hide everyday wear.
For broader choice beyond TV beds in similar shapes, our modern fabric beds UK sale range shows how different headboard styles look across a variety of upholstery options. If you are deciding on a colour direction for the whole room, our article on UK bedroom furniture colour trends from beige to black offers useful starting points.
Wingback headboards are larger and therefore heavier to move. They may also arrive as a bigger box, so check your stairs and doorways carefully. A footboard TV bed with a simpler headboard is usually easier to carry and assemble.
Cleaning differs too. The inner curves of a wingback collect dust and need regular attention with a soft brush attachment. A flatter headboard is quicker to wipe down. If you have pets that like to sleep on the bed, a wingback's tall sides can feel cosy for them as well, so a hard wearing fabric pays off.
Think about pillows and bedding as well. A tall wingback looks best with a generous stack of pillows and cushions that fill the space between the wings. A lower footboard style suits a simpler arrangement, which also makes the bed quicker to make each morning.
The headboard shape changes how you light the bed. With a wingback, the wings partly shield the pillows from the side, which is lovely for a sheltered feel but can block light from a lamp placed too low on a bedside table. Wall lights mounted just above and outside the wings, or taller table lamps, throw light over the top and onto a book without casting shadows.
A footboard TV bed with a lower headboard is easier to light. Standard bedside lamps sit comfortably either side, and a pair of pendants hung low over the bedside tables can look smart in a modern room. Whatever the style, keep lamps out of the line between your eyes and the raised television, so reflections do not interrupt your viewing in the evening.
A bed is a long term purchase, so consider how each style will age with your home. A footboard TV bed with a simple headboard adapts easily as you redecorate. Change the bedding, cushions or wall colour and it takes on a new character without looking out of place. That flexibility suits people who like to refresh their bedroom every few years.
A wingback is more of a commitment. Its strong shape sets the tone of the room, so your future schemes will tend to work around it. For many people that is exactly the point: they choose a wingback because they want a bed with real presence. If you are likely to move home in the near future, though, check that a tall headboard will suit the rooms you might be moving into, particularly if you are heading for a flat or a loft with sloping ceilings.
In a compact new build bedroom, a footboard TV bed is usually the more comfortable fit. It keeps sightlines low, leaves wall space for storage and lets the room feel calm. In a loft conversion with sloping ceilings, the lower headboard is often the only sensible choice for the eaves wall.
In a period home with tall ceilings and wide rooms, a wingback TV bed comes into its own. It suits cornicing, panelled walls and large sash windows, and it gives a big room a natural focal point. In a modern apartment with a strong design scheme, either can work: a sleek footboard style for a minimal look, or a wingback in a bold colour for a more expressive room.
Start with the room: measure the ceiling height above the bed wall, the width available for the bed and bedside tables, and the route from the front door. Then think about how you use the bed. If long sessions sitting up are part of your routine, a wingback will support you better. If you value a clean, open room and quick daily tidying, a footboard style is the practical choice.
We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and every listing shows full dimensions, including headboard height. You can compare both styles side by side at Furniture in Fashion.
Not necessarily. Screen size depends on the footboard housing, not the headboard. Check the maximum screen size listed for each model.
It can be. In a small room with a low ceiling, a tall wingback may feel dominant. A footboard style with a moderate headboard usually suits compact spaces better.
A wingback is generally more supportive when sitting up for long periods, thanks to its taller, padded headboard and side wings.
Yes, but leave a little extra room because the wings may extend beyond the side rails. Slim bedside cabinets work well.
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