Headboards: Choosing the Right Style and Height
A bed without one looks unfinished, and anybody who reads or watches television in bed knows the practical difference. Headboards are the cheapest way to make a bedroom look considered, and choosing one is mostly about three measurements and one decision about fabric.
Match the width first
The headboard must match the bed size, not approximately but exactly — a queen headboard on a king bed leaves an odd gap at each side. If you are not certain what size your bed is, measure it and check against our bed sizes guide before ordering. Remember that a king base comes as two separate bases, but the headboard is still a single king-width piece.
How tall should headboards be?
If you sit up in bed, standard or tall is worth it — a low headboard puts the top edge right at your shoulder blades, which is the least comfortable place for it. In a room with a low ceiling or a window behind the bed, low is the sensible choice.
Mounting: floor standing or wall mounted
- Floor standing bolts to the base and moves with the bed — simplest, and no wall damage.
- Wall mounted floats above the base and suits heavier statement pieces.
- Check your base has the fixing points before assuming the first option.
- In a rental, floor standing avoids the deposit conversation entirely.
Fabric and upkeep
Upholstered headboards are warmer to lean against and far more forgiving than a hard surface, but they do collect dust — vacuum them when you strip the bed. Darker fabrics hide marks in a busy household; lighter ones open up a small room. Either way, keep the bedding side of things protected with a mattress protector.
If you are buying a bed anyway, a matched bed set or one of our bundle deals often works out better than buying the headboard separately — see bed bundle deals.
Browse headboards and the rest of our bedroom furniture, or ask us what fits your base.
