Buying a Headboard 101: Headboard Designs
A look at designs, materials, and installation basics for your bedroom's focal point.
A new headboard is a high-impact bedroom update that can elevate even the simplest of bed frames. We've outlined the basics of buying a headboard in this guide – read on for all you need to know about headboard designs, materials, sizing, and installation types.
Headboard Designs
Headboard Materials
Sizing and Installation Types
Headboard Designs
Back in the day, headboards were mounted to the tops of beds to better insulate sleepers' heads. Today, most headboards serve more of an aesthetic purpose, though one can be an excellent addition to your setup if you need a little more storage or if you like to read or watch TV comfortably in bed. Keep reading to learn which headboard is the right fit for your needs.
Panel: One of the most basic headboard designs, a panel headboard is usually a flat, rectangular board that sits at the top of a bed. But all panel headboards aren't that simple – they are available in almost any material, color, and style. Their outer edge can be ornately curved, and even sloped or rimmed with crown molding, nailheads, and more.
Wingback: A wingback headboard has two panels that jut out from either side to better enclose a bed's headspace. The secure side panels vary in width, shape, and design.
Slat: Traditional in appearance, slat headboards are made up of vertical or horizontal bars or slats made of wood or metal. The slats are encompassed by a simple outer frame that may be curved or have flat sides.
Open-Frame: Similar to slat headboards, open-frame headboards have simple outer borders that frame inner bars or slats, however the design of those inner bars or slats is often much more intricate or organic.
Sleigh: These elegant headboards slope gently backward to imitate the classic look of a horse-drawn sleigh. Their level of ornamentation varies from simple to complex. Sleigh headboards tend to require a couple more inches of space behind the bed than flat headboards do.
Bookcase/Storage: These headboards, complete with built-in shelves, cabinets, or drawers, are an excellent answer to limited bedroom storage space. An added bonus: Everything is within arm's reach from the bed!
Headboard Materials
Upholstered: Covered with linen, velvet, leather, and more, upholstered headboards offer padding that makes them more comfortable to lean against. The upholstery can be simple and unadorned or finished with detailing. Button tufting, nailhead trim, and welting are the most common finishing touches.
Wood: This traditional headboard material is anything but when it comes to style – it can be stained or painted, and designed with classic or contemporary lines.
Metal: Made up of wrought iron, brass, brushed steel, and other metals, these headboards range in style from modern and industrial to vintage and farmhouse. Metal headboards are a good, open alternative to more dense, solid headboards.
Wicker, Rattan, or Natural Fibers: These light, woven headboards are all about texture. With a natural or painted finish, the casual beauty of a wicker, rattan, or natural fiber headboard excels in a coastal or country home.
Sizing and Installation Types
While there are no fixed standard heights, headboards’ widths are sized based on standard bed sizes: twin, full or double, queen, king, and California king. Resist the urge to size down, as those few inches make all the difference to the eye once in context with the rest of your bed.
There are three common installation options for headboards:
Wall-Mounted: These headboards are drilled into the wall behind the bed, so they'll stay put no matter what.
Bed Frame-Mounted: Brackets on the legs of these headboards allow them to attach directly to the back of an existing bed frame. The finished product is seamless and sturdy.
Freestanding: Freestanding headboards come without any hardware or pre-drilled holes, but can usually be easily outfitted to mount on a wall or existing bed frame.
Tip!
When choosing a headboard, look at the lowest height dimension in the Weights & Dimensions tab in the product description to ensure it doesn't sit too far above your mattress.
