Since headboards may be found at a wide variety of heights (from 40 to 50 inches and even higher, depending on the design), this choice is mostly a matter of personal preference. Would you like a striking main piece of furniture for your bedroom? An impressive, towering headboard can dominate a room’s design, but it’s normally preferable when it’s also sufficiently wide to balance out the room’s proportions. So, how tall are headboards?
In this post, we will show you the different kinds of headboards and also the desirable size of the headboards. Now, if you want to have understated bed headings that are tall enough for your mattress but do not have an idea how tall it is, this one is for you!
Types of Headboard
There is much more to think about than just the headboard’s proportions. By changing just the headboard, you can completely transform the look of your bed. You can make a better choice once you know more about the many headboard options available. You can pick from the several options of headboards that we’ve provided below.
▩ Wood Headboards
The majority of headboards are made of wood. Many styles, colors, and finishes are available for headboards made of wood. They are used by numerous manufacturers because their rustic aesthetic works well with a wide variety of bed styles.
All beds look good when made with a natural finish wooden board, such as pine, maple, or oak. In contrast to metal headboards, wooden ones are softer and smoother, giving your bed and bedroom a more inviting feel.
▩ Metal Headboards
Despite their scarcity, metal headboards are currently all the rage. Their sleek, sophisticated sheen makes them look quite expensive. Headboards are often composed of metal, such as brass, stainless steel, or wrought iron. They are heavy and have a lengthy lifespan, but these characteristics are inherent to the product. As headboards go, they’re on the pricier end of the spectrum.
▩ Upholstered Headboards
Most people like to have their headboards made out of upholstery. Beds with upholstered headboards are popular among those who like to sleep in an upright position. Soft, fluffy, and smooth back support is provided by headboards that are fastened or coated in materials like cloth, suede, velvet, or leather. You can pick from a rainbow of hues and an equally dizzying array of designs and silhouettes.
Compared to other kinds of headboards, upholstered ones tend to be more costly. An upholstered headboard offers a lot of customization options, including buttons, thread patterns, and paint schemes. You can find upholstered headboards made of wood or metal, with metal being more expensive but also long-lasting.
▩ Storage Headboards
A storage headboard incorporates shelving and/or drawers into the headboard’s design. An ingenious use of vertical space allows storage headboards to be a great addition to small bedrooms. However, they take up more room than alternative headboard options.
Many raw items, including wood and metal, are used to create headboards with built-in shelving and storage. If you need something that won’t hog as much of your storage space, you may always have it manufactured to order.
Should a Headboard Be above the Mattress?
The headboard’s footboard must be positioned so that it is hidden by the bed. In this manner, your back will retain its natural alignment even if you get out of bed throughout the night. Supportive positioning calls for a headboard to be positioned no more than three inches beneath the bed’s surface.
As we’ve already established, headboards can also be purchased to fit a specific mattress size. Therefore, a twin-size bed and headboard would be the most comfortable combination. Also, depending on the material, these headboards can range in thickness from around 2 inches to about 10 inches across.
Guide To Headboards Height above The Mattress
The headboard’s purpose extends far beyond mere aesthetics. It has a practical purpose as well, preventing abrasion to both you and the wall. Since headboards come in a variety of heights, it might be challenging to choose the right one for your bed.
Headboard heights are not governed by any hard and fast rules. Instead, we’d want to stress the importance of not purchasing a mattress that is longer than your bed. Those who own a twin bed must place the headboards 14 inches just above the top of the mattress, as a rough guideline.
However, they need to be raised to a height of 28 inches for larger bed sizes such as full and queen. Then, for extremely spacious beds like the king and California king, you can elevate the headboard to a height of 58 inches.
Headboard Size Chart
The purpose of headboards is not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also offer practical back support when sitting up in bed. While most bed frames do come with a headboard, some do not. When selecting a headboard, think about the size of your mattress and the room. This helps determine how tall are headboards should be.
🗹 What are the Headboard Widths?
Headboards are usually the same width as the bed they are paired with, give or take 2 to 4 inches. A headboard may require an additional two inches of wall space on both sides of the bed.
Consider this additional room while shopping for a headboard so that you don’t end up with too much stuff in your bedroom. Typically, a headboard will either be exactly the same width as the bed itself, or it will be no more than a couple of inches wider. If your bedroom is on the smaller side, you should think about the headboard’s width when shopping for a new bed or headboard.
🞺 Twin Size Headboard Dimensions
In most cases, the width of a headboard is 41 inches, which is about 3 inches more than a standard twin bed. The breadth of a standard twin bed remains unchanged whether you select a classic or contemporary headboard. This is why the breadth of these beds is just right for the twin headboard. Twin headboards require a 7-by-10-foot space.
🞺 California King Size Headboard Dimensions
Headboards for a California king-sized bed typically measure at least 72 inches in width. Standard California king headboards are 74 inches wide, to go with the 72-inch width of a standard California king bed. California king beds typically require a bedroom 12 feet by 12 feet in size.
🗹 How Tall are Headboards – Determining their Heights
Headboard height is typically expressed in relation to the height of the mattress set on top of it rather than the floor. Although there is no hard and fast rule regarding headboard height, it is generally accepted that it should be no higher than the mattress.
Most headboards for different bed sizes (twin, full, queen, king, and Cal king) are made with this in mind. Headboards for twin beds are typically 14 inches high, those for full and queen beds are typically 28 inches, and for those for king and California king beds, checking how tall are headboards often falls at 58 inches.
🟌 Tall Headboards
It’s not uncommon for a tall headboard to extend 65–70 inches up the wall from the bed’s footboard. Both king and California king beds, as well as queen beds, have a good fit with these headboards. When you sit up straight, a tall headboard provides ample support for your entire back.
🟌 Short or Low Headboards
Using a short and low headboard is one technique to give the impression that your bedroom is larger than it actually is. In guest rooms, they are typically paired with twin or full-size beds. A twin bed often sits 10–12 inches above the floor, so a low headboard is appropriate. They work wonderfully for mounting artwork, photographs, and other decorative items above a bed.
🟌 Adjustable Headboards
In order to change the height of an adjustable headboard, which may also determine how tall are headboards, it uses metal legs often. They are a wonderful middle ground when you can’t choose the ideal ceiling height for a specific room. Reduce the height of the headboard to make a room look more open, especially if it is in a tiny bedroom with a large bed.
Headboards that can be adjusted in height are also useful when switching to a mattress of a different thickness. If you do so, you won’t have to go out and get a new headboard just so your bed can accommodate your new mattress.
Knowing How Tall are Headboards based on Its Fixing Options
In order to identify how tall are headboards, we may also need to understand the different techniques of their installation. These headboard fixing techniques are also a determinant of the type of headboards available.
1-Wall Mounted
For larger beds (180 cm or more), a headboard that may be fixed on the wall is highly recommended. They are secured by the wall anchors and can lie flat against the wall. The headboard you’re considering should easily fit through your home’s entrance, bedroom door, and any tight turns.
If you’re not sure how to measure properly, instruction on how to do so for furniture delivery is also included. When working with plasterboard, keep in mind that you may need to use additional fasteners or thinner materials. This, however, need not compromise the quality of the final headboard in any way. You should only let the headboard manufacturer and installer know before you buy it.
2-Bed Mounted
The struts in a bed’s headboard hold up the headboard. Because they are a standard size, these will fit into the holes at the bottom of your bed.
3-Free-standing
Headboards that don’t attach to the wall are more versatile and easier to rearrange, so free-standing models are a great option.
Benefits of Tall Headboards
While some people prefer a taller headboard, it’s not appropriate for every bedroom. The size and layout of the bedroom are important factors to consider. In a minimalist or contemporary bedroom, a huge, ornate antique headboard might look out of place. While the high headboard may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it does provide a few perks that are worth considering like these below:
- Aesthetically appealing
- Masking wall painting
- Providing back support
- Keep you comfy and warm in bed.
How Tall are Headboards: The Importance of Picking One
Do you frequently read when lying in bed? Or maybe you want to indulge in your sinful pleasure by staying in bed and surfing the web for hours. In either case, a headboard’s substantial back support is a boon to your physical well-being.
They are also very useful for keeping your pillows from sliding off the back or side of the bed, which can be a real pain when you’re trying to relax and watch a romantic comedy. A substantial headboard can do double duty by visually anchoring the bed in its place and delineating the sleeping area from the rest of the room.
One way to make use of the vertical space in a room is to use a headboard that is higher than the rest of the bedspread. Can’t stand seeing the artwork on the wall? The vacant wall space can be effectively filled with a bed with a high headboard. It can assist in refocusing the viewer’s attention away from the floor and toward the ceiling. The addition of nightstands to a bed with a high headboard helps to achieve visual balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where should a headboard ideally be placed on a bed?
Make sure the width of your headboard is adequate for your mattress. Headboards for standard mattress sizes (twin, full, queen, king, and California king) are often as wide as, or up to four inches wider than, the bed itself. Knowing that will help in determining the ideal location of the bed’s headboard.
Bed sizes determine the typical height, which can be anywhere from 14 inches to 58 inches. The dimensions for a twin bed’s headboard might be as small as 41 inches wide by 14 inches high, while those for a king bed’s headboard can be as large as 80 inches wide by 58 inches high. The typical thickness range for a headboard is between 2 and 10 inches.
Q: What are the specs for a queen-sized headboard?
Headboards for queen beds are typically between 60 and 64 inches wide and 28 to 48 inches in height. To what extent you’d like your headboard to be thick is determined by the type you choose. Storage headboards are thicker than standard headboards by 7 to 10 inches and are ideal for those who need extra space. Pick one that suits your taste in décor and how much room you have.
Q: In what height range does a headboard work best?
Headboards should be no more than a third of the length of the bed, although there is no optimal height for a headboard. Higher headboards tend to look best in rooms with higher ceilings, while those of a lesser height has the effect of making a smaller space seem larger. Headboards for twin beds tend to be 14 inches tall, while those for full and queen beds are often 28 inches, and those for king beds are typically 58 inches tall.
Q: Do you think a queen would fit on a full-size headboard?
Since a queen mattress is wider, a full-sized headboard is not suitable for a standard bed frame. A queen bed frame and a full-size headboard cannot be joined together because their mounting holes are too far apart. Headboards for full beds typically measure 56 inches in width, while those for queen beds average 62 inches.
Q: How can you close the space between your bed’s mattress and headboard?
An upholstered headboard can be used to conceal the space between a bed’s mattress and its headboard. Mattress wedges should be used to fill any space larger than 1.5 inches. These triangular foam items are designed to fill the space between the headboard and the bed’s frame. You can get a mattress wedge from any department or online store that specializes in home furnishings.
Wrapping Up
Most headboards are permanent fixtures that are included with the purchase of a bed. Of course, there are those who don’t. This is the best resource for selecting a suitable headboard, whether you’re adding one or replacing a damaged one.
You can’t just pick a headboard at random because some don’t complement some beds. When shopping for a headboard, it’s important to know how much space you have, as well as the width, height, depth, and length of the mattress. If you can’t make up your mind, both headboard options—those that attach to the wall and those that attach to the frame—are good options. Changing your headboard will completely alter the appearance of your bed and space.
A headboard is that important. Headboards are included with most beds, although it’s sometimes less expensive to replace just the headboard. If you’re not sure what kind of headboard you want, how big it should be, or what kind of material it should be made out of, this guide should help clear things up.
