There’s no requirement that you have a headboard for your bed. However, headboards can provide extra support, prevent wall damage, and elevate your bedroom decor.
So, do you need a headboard? Today, many headboards serve more of a decorative role than a functional one. Headboards can be expensive and take up valuable space, so you might find yourself better off without one. Before purchasing a headboard, make sure that it is compatible with your platform bed or box spring frame.
Keep reading for a list of pros and cons of headboards, as well as some frequently asked questions and answers about headboards.
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Initially, headboards were used as a barrier between the edge of one’s bed and the wall. This would keep a person’s head from getting too cold at night, since walls would get very cold without insulation.
As a result of better insulation and heating, headboards today have taken more of a decorative role. There’s no functional purpose that requires a bed to have a headboard, but there are uses — such as keeping pillows from falling on the floor.
While a headboard can upgrade your bedroom’s aesthetics, choosing not to have one will leave you with several other design options. You could put up a piece of art at the head of your bed, paint the wall, or just keep your wall plain. If you do plan to use an art piece as a headboard, make sure that your pillows are far enough from the art to avoid injury in the case of a fall.
Here are six benefits of using a headboard that you should consider when deciding how to furnish your bedroom.
Your bed isn’t just where you sleep. A number of people read, get work done, scroll through social media, and much more in bed. If this sounds like you, a headboard may be beneficial to help you sit comfortably in bed for prolonged periods of time — your spine will thank you for it.
Your bedroom’s temperature plays a large role in the quality of your sleep, with the ideal sleeping temperature being between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re experiencing chills at night, a headboard could be helpful to keep your room warmer by providing extra insulation between you and your wall. In fact, the original use for headboards was to keep a person warm while they were sleeping.
If your bed is against a wall with poor insulation, a headboard can provide the extra insulation needed to keep the cold away.
If you place your bed directly up against a wall, you may be in for an unfortunate surprise come move-out day. Your bed’s edges and corners can rub against the wall, removing paint as you toss and turn in bed. Oil and sweat from your body can also come into contact with the wall, dirtying and staining your wall’s finish.
A headboard will create a barrier between your bed and the wall, preventing any damage that may occur as a result of contact.
If you sleep without a headboard, you might know what it’s like to wake up in the middle of the night and find that your pillow is gone. Most of the time the pillow has just fallen between your bed and wall, but the issue could have been prevented by a headboard.
In addition to using a headboard, choosing the right pillow for your bed can also alleviate this issue and help you get a better night’s rest.
A headboard can be a central piece of your bedroom’s decor. If you’re looking for an easy way to give your bedroom an upgraded look, a headboard might be the right choice for you. Headboards come in a large variety of different materials and designs, and the right one can create an attractive backdrop — making your bed stand out from your wall in more ways than one.
When choosing a headboard, keep in mind that certain colors can either hurt or help your sleep. For example, blue can promote a sense of calm and serenity, while beige can be warm and peaceful.
Bedroom storage is incredibly important, especially in small rooms with limited real estate. To make the most of your storage space, you may want to choose a bed frame with room for under-bed storage, such as the Casper Repose Bed Frame.
Thankfully, a headboard can also double as storage. Some headboards come with shelves or drawers to help you save space and keep your bedroom organized. However, you’ll want to consider the extra square footage this may take up in smaller bedrooms.
While headboards can provide a number of benefits, there are also good reasons to not include one in your bedroom decor. Check out these potential reasons to not use a headboard in your bedroom.
For those with small bedrooms, every inch of space counts. Headboards can take up valuable space that would better be used for other purposes. Going without a headboard will save you floor and wall space and keep your bedroom less cramped. If you have a small bedroom, you may want to consider a smaller mattress size as well.
If you have a tighter budget, going without a headboard might be the right choice for you. Headboards can be expensive and they are not a necessity. When you add up the cost of your bed frame, mattress, covers, pillows, and headboard, things can get pricey fast.
If you’re looking for other ways to save money on your bedroom, the One, our most affordable mattress, will give you cozy sleep at a cozy price.
While a headboard can elevate the look of your room, they can also take up a lot of space. This space could be filled with shelves, lights, or anything else that you think would spruce up your room. If you’re looking for a good headboard alternative, consider putting up an art piece on your wall. A piece of art is a great opportunity to express your personal style and aesthetics.
A number of bed frames already come with headboards, making the selection process that much easier. Thankfully, here at Casper we have plenty of frames with headboards for you to choose from.
The Casper Haven Bed Frame is soft all around and wrapped in premium felted wool for a cloud-like look and feel. This frame has a relaxed headboard with a little bit of a slant and cushion, making it perfect for sitting up comfortably in bed. For anyone that wants a sophisticated look and feel without sacrificing comfort, the Haven is the perfect option for you.
The Haven Bed Frame starts at $1,495 for a full, $1,595 for a queen, and $1,995 for a king or Cal king.
With a sleek wooden frame and softened edges, the Casper Repose Bed Frame will give your bedroom a warm and cozy look. With the choice between either a wood or pillow headboard, you’re able to pick the right option for your bedroom. The frame is constructed with high-quality wood and has soft, round corners to provide a touch of sophistication.
The Repose Bed Frame, a great option for budget-friendly shoppers, starts at $795 for a full, $895 for a queen, and $995 for a king.
With a clean, modern outline, the Casper Platform Bed Frame provides stylish support without the need for a foundation or box frame. Attach the matching headboard to the frame for a complete look. This bed frame comes in a variety of finish and color options, leaving the final look of your bed completely up to you.
The Platform Bed Frame starts at $495 for a full, $595 for a queen, and $695 for a king or Cal king.
There are a lot of questions when it comes to headboards. We’ve compiled and answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you figure out whether or not you need a headboard below.
A headboard is an optional part of your bed, so it’s completely fine to go without. Most people today consider headboards a decorative piece of furniture, even though there are other uses for them.
If you’re looking for a bed frame without a headboard, check out some of our best options below:
1. Adjustable Base: Strong and sturdy with effortless assembly
2. Upholstered Bed Frame: Soft and inviting with a little ledge
3. The Foundation Frame: Customizable features for your sleep needs
Yes, in most cases you can use one headboard for two twin beds. However, this is largely dependent on the bed frames and headboard that you have. If your headboard won’t fit your twin frames, you can also directly mount your headboard to a wall and push the beds up against it.
Since two twin XL-sized mattresses together make a king, two twin headboards put together can achieve the same effect. It can be difficult to attach two twin headboards to a king-sized frame, but mounting them to a wall or attaching them together could give you the result you’re looking for.
A queen-sized bed is 16 inches narrower than a king-sized bed. This can make using a queen headboard on a king-sized bed difficult, but most modern steel bed frames support both king and queen-sized mattresses.
Naturally, this also means that they support their respective headboards. If you’re worried about the headboard being narrower than your mattress, altering the headboard or balancing it with lights or decorations could be your solution.
With how similar king and Cal king beds are, a king headboard can definitely fit a Cal king bed. Some modifications are necessary, however. Cut the headboard down or use a conversion kit to get the headboard down to size. As stated before, you can also just mount the headboard to the wall to use it for a smaller bed frame.
Overall, headboards can offer a number of benefits from back support to sprucing up your bedroom’s design. Not having a headboard also has its benefits, saving you money and leaving more available space in your bedroom. If you’re looking to revamp your bedroom or want to pair a frame with your headboard, check out our bed frames so you can fall asleep in style.
