Headboards are a wonderful way to tie in the aesthetic of a bedroom. It can bring the whole style and color scheme of a bedroom together without much extra effort. Headboards come in many sizes, shapes, and styles to fit your bed and your needs. Headboard installation can be a little confusing if you don’t know if your headboard should touch the floor or not.
Depending on the style of your headboard, it should not touch the floor. Some styles of headboards will naturally touch the floor; however, most headboards will be secured to the bed rather than the floor. Headboards can also be mounted to the wall and can have other uses besides decoration.
Finding the right headboard may be as simple as buying the one that comes with your bed, but you may not like the headboard that your bed comes with. Once you choose the right headboard for your needs and style, you will install it properly, depending on the style.
Headboard Styles
Headboards come in several structural styles. Most bed frames have a set style with a headboard you can purchase to go along with it. Other bed frames won’t have that and you’ll have to choose a headboard you like or build one yourself.
Strutted Headboards
Strutted headboards are the most common type of headboard used. These headboards get attached to the bed through struts and then bolted in place to secure the headboard. Most strutted headboards don’t touch the floor after installation.
Wall Mounted Headboards
Wall-mounted headboards can be the best of both worlds when it comes to whether or not the headboard is touching the floor. These headboards can either float above your bed or touch the floor. Wall-mounted headboards come with different styles and functionalities.
A major downside to a wall-mounted headboard is that you have to ensure you won’t be changing the furniture placement in your bedroom too often unless you want to repair a lot of holes in your walls.
Floor Standing Headboards
Floor standing headboards will always be touching the floor. They are also more likely to have more than one function.
Floor standing headboards also offer the option of actually attaching the bed to the headboard or mounting it on the wall. Some people who have a shelved floor standing headboard choose not to mount the bed to the headboard because it can act as some extra storage underneath.
If you choose to install your floor standing headboard, it won’t be through struts, but it will be bolted directly to the bed. Your bed should have spaces to bolt the headboard to it. If not, you may have to drill holes that are even with the headboard.
Is a Headboard Necessary?
When headboards first started to appear with beds, they were necessary. Headboards are used to add extra insulation, so you wouldn’t get cold from your bed touching the wall. Now that homes are built with sufficient insulation, headboards aren’t as necessary.
There are some perks for still using a headboard. Outside of multifunction headboards, they can also prevent your bed from shifting. Additionally, they prevent your pillows from falling behind your mattress while you sleep.
Choosing a Headboard
If you don’t have the option for a headboard that comes with your bed frame or you just want to change things up, choosing a headboard will be simple, especially if you have one in mind. Things to consider when choosing a headboard are:
- Bed frame size
- Style and weight
- Compatability
- Functionality
If you’ve been shopping around for a headboard, if your bed doesn’t come with one and you can’t find one, consider building your headboard or commissioning someone to build one for you. Doing this will ensure you have the headboard of your dreams.
Bed Frame Size
If you are buying your headboard, you must make sure that you choose the right size of the headboard for your bed frame. Standard bed frame sizes are:
| Bed Size | Frame Measurements | Minimum Headboard Measurements |
| Twin | 38 inches x 75 inches | 41 inches |
| Full | 54 inches x 75 inches | 56 inches |
| Queen | 60 inches x 80 inches | 62 inches |
| King | 76 inches x 80 inches | 80 inches |
Additionally, before searching for a headboard or building one yourself, you should find the struts in the original bedframe and measure the space between them so you can get an idea of the headboard sizes you can work with. Headboards can also be significantly wider than the bed frame.
You should also measure how wide your headboard will be overall. Even though beds generally come in the standard sizes, some bed frames may be a bit wider than the standard. Headboards generally are also fourteen inches above the top of the mattress. They also shouldn’t be longer than the length of the bed.
Style and Weight
One of the first things everyone considers when choosing a headboard is the style of headboard they’re going to use. They want to ensure it matches the bed and the whole style of the room.
You should also consider the weight of the headboard, especially if you’re installing one that has more functions than just a headboard and that if the headboard needs to be suspended, your bed frame can easily support it.
Compatibility
If you’re buying a separate headboard from your bed frame, you must make sure it’s compatible with your bed. Ensure that your bed frame has spaces to attach your headboard to it. If it doesn’t, be prepared to drill holes into your bed frame to mount and attach it to your bed,
Most bed frames will come with slots, holes, and bolts, so if you one day do want to install a headboard, it’s simple. Just remember to hold onto the extra hardware that comes with your bed when you purchase it to make things easier.
Functionality
Many headboards are available for different styles, but there are also gorgeous headboards that have more than one function. Consider this and the space you have in your bedroom when using a multifunction headboard. Some great multifunction headboards include:
- Shelving
- Lighting
- Cabinet storage
Installing a Headboard
Whether your headboard came with your bed or you purchased one separately, installing a headboard is fairly simple. All bed frames with headboards will come with instructions on how to install the headboard properly. You might not have instructions on how to install the headboard if you buy or build a separate one.
If you didn’t end up keeping all of the instructions and hardware when you bought your bed frame, contact the manufacturer to ensure you get the correct parts sent to you. Some headboards may come with hardware, but you can’t depend on that.
While it’s not impossible to install a headboard alone, you should have one or two other people to help with ensuring the headboard is level. If you’re working with a queen-sized bed or larger one, you should always have someone else around to help you.
Bolting a Headboard to the Wall
While it’s not mandatory, consider bolting your headboard to the wall. This is a wonderful option if you don’t move your furniture around a lot. Bolting the headboard to the wall offers many benefits as well:
- The bed won’t shift and move as you get in and out of bed.
- The headboard won’t knock against the wall as you move around in bed.
- The bed will stay in place as you adjust or turn your mattress, as well as while changing your sheets.
Conclusion
Depending on the type of headboard you have, it may or may not touch the floor. Certain styles of headboards will touch the floor, while others will be suspended and attached to the bed or mounted onto the wall. Regardless of the headboard you choose, you should always make sure that it is compatible with your bed.