When you saw your new headboard on display in the showroom or online, the fluffy bedding and pristine design elements around it made its incorporation look seamless—helping you envision it in your own room under the morning light.
Now that you’ve come to the moment of attaching the headboard to your frame, however, you might have a few more questions before you can press snooze in your perfect slumber space.
Not to worry. This guide will walk you through how to attach a headboard to a bed frame in no time. We’ll explore how to attach a headboard directly to your frame, as well as a couple of other alternatives if your headboard and bed frame aren’t compatible with direct attachment.
You probably understand already that bed frames come in different sizes to accommodate the various sizes of mattresses. The same is true of headboards. If you’re assembling a new bed frame that comes with a headboard, you shouldn’t have to worry about this.
But if you’re attaching a traditional headboard that you purchased separately, you’ll want to verify the size synchronicity. The most popular standard bed sizes are:1
If you purchased the headboard from a retailer, the packaging should clearly indicate the size. But if you bought it from a friend, thrift store, or garage sale, you may have to do a bit of detective work to figure out if it will fit your frame.
An easy way to do this is by measuring the width of the headboard. You can use a measuring tape to determine the exact measurements, or you can line the headboard up with the bed frame to see if they’re the same width. Just keep in mind that depending on the design, the headboard might be a touch wider than the bedframe—up to three inches in some cases.1
Attaching a traditional headboard to a bed frame can be just what it sounds like—using bolts, screws, or another method to fasten the two pieces together. This is known as “frame mounting,” and fortunately, with only a few exceptions, most headboards are compatible with most bed frames.
If you aren’t sure whether your bed can take a frame-mounted headboard, it’s easy to check. Simply search along the head of the bed frame for oblong holes near the left and right corners. There should be four mounting holes on either side, arranged horizontally.
If your frame is not frame-mount ready, don’t panic. You can still outfit your cozy bed with the headboard of your dreams. When frame-mounting isn’t an option, you can opt for one of these alternatives:
Once you’ve decided on the mounting method that works for you, you’re ready to attach the headboard to a bed frame.
For compatible styles, opting for frame-mounting is usually the best way to attach the headboard to a bed frame. With the headboard securely fastened to the frame, you don’t have to worry about the headboard falling over or getting knocked off-kilter, as you might with free-standing headboards.
Likewise, frame mounting offers more versatility and mobility than wall mounting, especially when it’s time to redecorate. You’ll also avoid putting holes in your walls.
To attach your headboard to your metal bed frame, follow this simple step-by-step guide:2
Once you’ve tightened the headboard bolts, take a step back and have a look at your work. Double-check that the headboard is even across the top. If one side is lower or higher than the other, it’s probably a sign that your holes aren’t lining up. You can check this by placing a level tool on the top of the bed frame.
If you can’t attach your headboard to your bed frame directly and you want something a touch more secure than a free-standing headboard mount, you can mount the headboard directly on the wall. To do so, you’ll need the following supplies:2
With your supplies in hand, take the following steps to mount your headboard:
If your headboard setup task is proving to be more complex than the steps listed above, you might be wondering, do you really need a headboard? Although headboards offer many benefits beyond their aesthetic appeal, you technically don’t need a headboard in order to have a functioning bed.
Some people opt not to have a headboard, and instead complete their bedroom decor by adding frames to the wall above their pillows or shelving units. While this option may take away some cohesion from the style of your bed, it can make some extra room to add your own decorative touches to your space.
But our advice? If you’re set on completing your bedroom, look with a cozy headboard, shop for something that’s designed to fit any frame and is easy to install. The added neck support, wall protection, and potential extra storage space might very well be worth your while.
We’ve been in your shoes before—it can feel daunting to figure out how to attach your headboard to your bedframe and create the magazine-curated bedroom style you desire.
That’s why we set out to design bed frames and headboards that are 100% foolproof to put together. Our headboards are designed for Casper bed frames but are also compatible with any frame you may have. So whether you take home the whole set or just one piece, you’re set up for success.
At Casper, you doon’t need to worry about whether your adjustable beds will fit in your bed frame. Personalize your sleep with an adjustable bed frame, or amp up the cozy vibes in your room with an upholstered one. Once you’ve found your dream bed frame, shop our attachable headboards in supple cream or sultry ash hues.
Get to bed faster with easy-to-install bed components from Casper today.
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