Login form (meta widget) in header?

Is there a way to add the meta widget in the top left of the header (where the search bar normally would be)? Apologies in advance if this has already been asked, but I searched to no avail before posting. I tried the basic widget tool, but there is no header option. Even when I put it in the inner and outter sidebars, it didn't show. I'm guessing that may be because I'm using a single-column configuration. Any ideas?