Headboards Sizes and Dimensions Guide

Most headboards come along with a prefabricated bed frame, so it is not necessary to consider their sizes. However, if you are trying to make your bed frame, you will have to give a lot of thought to the headboards that you will need to construct along with it.

In most cases, the headboards are made of a width equal to that of your bed frame. That width will be between 2 – 5 inches wider than the mattress. But in some cases, they can be of a size much wider than that. In this article, we will talk about the range that headboard sizes can be in and how they can impact how your bed would look.

Standard Dimension of Headboards as Per Bed Size

In most cases, the dimensions of headboards will fit all bedframe and mattress sizes.  On average, a headboard is either of the same widths as the bed frame or will be around 3 inches wider, while in height, it will be anywhere from 14 to 33 inches higher than the mattress top.

A standard headboard would be 30 to 58 inches above the floor, as mattresses are anywhere between 16 to 25 inches in height.

Overall, the height of the headboard also does have a relation to the size of the bed. Longer and wider beds will require higher headboards so that the entire combination is in proportion. Your twin headboard will look good with just a 20-inch headboard, but this same 20-inch headboard will look too short for a king-size bed that is not only twice as wide as the twin bed but also 5 inches longer.

Twin and Twin XL Beds

Twin and Twin XL beds can have different lengths but have the same width, which means their headboards should have the same dimensions. Both these beds have mattresses that are 38 inches wide, which means that their frames should be 40 to 43 inches in width. Headboards, therefore, need to be of a width of 40 to 46 inches.

However, it would help if you kept in mind that the mattresses of Twin XL beds are 5 inches longer than standard twin bed mattresses. They are 80 and 75inches long. This means that your Twin Xl headboard needs to be a little higher so that it looks proportionate.

Full Double Size Bed

The mattress on this size of the bed is 54 inches wide, and this requires the headboard to be between 56 to 62 inches wide.

Queen Size Bed

Queen mattresses have a width of 60 inches, requiring their headboards to be 62 to 68 inches wide.

King Size Bed

Easter king or standard king mattresses are 76 inches at their widest. So the headboard is proportionate if it has a width of 78 to 84 inches.

California King Size Bed

Mattresses for this bed are 4 inches narrower than standard king mattresses, indicating that the headboard on these beds should be between 74 to 80 inches wide. A California King standard bed is also longer and has a length of 84 inches, which means that it needs to be taller, so it looks proportionate.

Oversized Headboard Dimensions

Standard headboards will be in proportion to bedframes’ width, but oversized ones can be taller and wider.

Extra-wide Headboards

These extra-wide headboards will cover not only the width of your bed frame but also the side tables that are normally placed next to a bed. This increases their width by 25 to 30 inches but can be even wider if your side tables are larger.

If you are taking measurements for an extra-wide headboard, make sure that you account for the bedframe width and that of the bedside tables. Most extra-wide headboards start at the floor and not from the bottom of the bed frame, as it will in the case of standard headboards.

Extra-Tall Headboards

You can make a fashion statement by having an extra tall headboard. These could be of a standard width but would be taller than the standard 14 to 33 inches. Make them as high as you want them to be, although it might not look proportionate if it is taller than the bedframe’s length.

Adjustable Headboards

Go for an adjustable headboard if you are not sure of what height your headboard should be. These headboards have metallic legs whose heights can be changed. These are also the headboards you should have if you want your bed frame to last as long as several mattresses, as then you can change the depth of your mattress without worrying about the height of your headboard.

Headboard Styles

The style you choose for your headboard will depend on your personal preference, as there are many styles that you can choose from.

Metal Headboards

You can give your bed an industrial or antique look by choosing a metal bed frame as well as a headboard. These can be made from aluminum, stainless steel, brass, or wrought iron. There are many advantages to using metal headboards and bedframes.

They can be cheaper than wood and are more durable. Some of the metal-made ones can be lighter than wood, while they are easy to disassemble, making it very easy to relocate them when needed.

Storage Headboards

These are headboards that can be aesthetic while they are practical. They are generally made from wood and can have cubicles, shelves, and drawers. You can use the shelves to keep your phone, alarm clocks, and lamps, and this can help you to eliminate the need for night tables.

These storage headboards do have a thickness, and you would need to consider this when you measure your bedroom.

Wooden Headboards

The most common material used for bed frames and headboards is wood. It does come in many styles, from classic to contemporary, while it also comes in various shapes.

Finishes on wood can be natural, like polish, or you can even paint the wood any color you like. You can use hardwood from trees like walnut, maple, pine, and oak. Your imagination is the only thing that limits the look of the wood for your bed frame and headboards.

Upholstered Headboards

You would like to use a headboard that is upholstered if you have the habit of working on your tablet or reading in bed.  These headboards can then function just like the back of a couch and provide a cushioned fabric support and support your back when you lean back on it. You can even make your headboard slightly slant back to be more comfortable when you lean back on it. Upholstered headboards can have a funky look as you can use the fabric of many fun colors and patterns.

FAQs

How do you attach the headboard to the bed frame?

Attaching the headboard to the bed frame is pretty simple to do. You may have pilot or starter holes on your bed frame. If not, drill holes close to the center of the wood that you are attaching the headboard too. Make at least two holes on each side so that the headboard will not twist.

Wood screws must be long and go into the bedframe by at least one or two inches. Do not use screws that are very thick as they can crack the frame, but make sure the screws are also not too thin, as then the weight of the headboard may be too much for them.

Is there a difference between standard king headboards and California king?

California beds are different from King size beds. They are narrower than a King size, and therefore, an eastern King headboard at the narrower width range might be more suitable. Carefully measure the bed frame so that it fits.

Mounting the headboard to the wall

You should not mount the headboard on drywall without first locating the studs behind a stud finder, as headboards can be too heavy to fix on drywalls, as the screws will get ripped out.

Once you have located the studs, measure the height where you want to fix the headboard and drill. It would help if you then used the right mounting hardware. The best are French cleats or Z clips as they are designed to hold heavy furniture. Pilot holes must be drilled into the studs and made of the compatible or accompanying screws that come with the hardware. Lift the headboard and use the fixtures to mount it on.

What is the ideal height of headboards?

Headboards come in various sizes. There is no standard height for headboards. This can depend on the size of your room as well as your preferences. Taller headboards are more suitable for larger bedrooms or those that have a high ceiling. A low headboard can lead to your bed looking less cramped in a smaller bedroom.

The gap between the headboard and mattress

You can never eliminate this gap, but you can do a few things to make it less obvious. Slide your mattress to the top of the bed frame so that the gap is reduced. If your headboard is upholstered, it can help remove the gap if your padding under the fabric is thick. Decorative pillows can also cover these gaps.