Main bedrooms in Miramar are roomy, and many of them look over the sea or the river, so the bed is often set against the inner wall facing the glass. That is a good place for a wide headboard, even one that runs wall to wall with reading lights and sockets built in; agree those positions with the electrician before the panel is made. Evening sun reaches deep into west-facing rooms, so a fade-resistant fabric is wise. Where the bed stands against an outer wall instead, salt and damp are the concern: mount the board slightly proud of the plaster, seal the backing on both faces, and prefer leatherette or a synthetic weave to cotton.
- Main bedrooms with a view: a full-width panelled headboard on the inner wall, with switches and lights planned in before it is upholstered.
- Rooms that catch the western sun: a wingback or panelled design in a fade-resistant synthetic, in a colour that will not show a bleached edge.
- Guest rooms in bungalows near the beach: a simple wall-hung leatherette panel with an air gap, wiped down with a damp cloth.
Miramar is the beach suburb of Panjim, where the Mandovi meets the sea. The long avenue from the city ends at Miramar circle, and the area around it is one of the most sought-after residential addresses in Goa, with apartment buildings and bungalows a short walk from the beach.
Flats here are larger than in the city centre, many with a sea or river view and long balconies. Owners want the view kept, so sunscreen blinds and sheers are common, with blackout behind them in bedrooms.
Miramar faces the open water at the river mouth. Salt air and wind reach the buildings along the avenue and the beach road, and the evening sun shines straight in from the west.
Sea-facing homes
Fix a headboard a little off a sea-facing wall so air can move behind it, and choose a synthetic or leatherette cover that does not hold damp. Wooden backing boards should be sealed on both sides.
Apartments and town flats
In a small bedroom, a wall-mounted headboard takes less depth than a bed with its own. It can be made the width of the bed or run wider, with bedside shelves built in.