Beds & Headboards
Bed headboards are typically a few inches wider than a mattress, although there are exceptions. As a general guide, a 38-inch-wide twin mattress headboard will be about 41 inches wide, a 54-inch-wide full mattress headboard will be about 57 inches wide, a 60-inch-wide queen mattress headboard will be about 63 inches wide, and a 76-inch-wide king mattress headboard will be about 79 inches wide.
Some headboards are much wider than your mattress for a statement look, and others curve around the top of the bed, adding a few more inches to the width. No matter what, these measurements are handy to have while you’re shopping for new bedroom furniture to ensure everything fits the way you expect.
Technically speaking, if your bed structure doesn’t rely on a headboard, of course you can sleep in a bed without one. Stylistically speaking, you will definitely want a headboard!
Bedroom headboards were originally intended to add a layer of protection from the cold between your head and the wall, since homes in the past were not as well insulated as they are today. These days, headboards add interest to a bedroom and allow you to showcase your personal style just as much as wall décor or a patterned rug!
Beyond that, headboards have the benefit of protecting your wall from wear and tear, helping to keep your pillows in place, providing back and neck support when you sit up in bed and, yes—they can still offer a layer of protection between you and the outside cold or heat (especially if you live in an older home that has poor insulation!).
If you snag one of my storage headboards or beds, you have the added bonus of more space to stash your stuff. And if that still isn’t enough, I also have beds and headboards with built-in lighting and USB ports, making a headboard an absolutely essential piece of bedroom furniture!
Most standard bed frames these days are designed to attach to any headboard, as long as they’re the same size. For example, a queen headboard must be attached to a queen bed frame.
At the front of the bed frame, you’ll see headboard brackets with two-to-four horizontal slots. This is where you’ll attach the headboard to the frame by inserting a bolt through the slot to the headboard leg. Your new headboard should include the necessary fasteners. Next, slide a washer onto the bolt on the other side of the leg. Then, simply screw a nut onto the bolt until it is tight. Repeat this for all of the brackets, and you’re all set!
One surefire placement for your bed is against the longest wall in the room, opposite from the door. Of course, depending on the layout of the room this isn’t always possible. When considering other placements, try to avoid completely blocking any windows or having the bed right next to a door. I also wouldn’t place your bed facing any windows if it means the sunrise will wake you up every day—unless, of course, you’re into that!
Bed placement typically impacts where the rest of your bedroom furniture will go since it’s the largest fixture, so be sure to keep that in mind when deciding where to put your bed. You’ll also want to make sure there’s enough space on the sides of the bed for any nightstands. Don’t forget to consider the location of electrical outlets!
While it’s important to your comfort and sleep where you put your bed, there’s not a set location where it must go. And, let’s be honest, sometimes you just have to put your bed where it’ll fit! The most important factor when deciding where to place your bed is your comfort, so don’t worry too much about putting your bed in the “right” spot. But if you need a hand, you can check out my handy room designer to create a 3D rendering of your space—completely free!