We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Furniture The 24 Best Headboards of 2024 We've got options for every style and budget. By Stefanie Waldek Stefanie Waldek Stefanie Waldek is a writer with 10+ years of experience in the home and travel industry. She has written for Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and The Washington Post, among other publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 04, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Reviews How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Brian Kopinski The bed is the main attraction of a bedroom. While many beds come with a headboard, others are simple platforms, which means you need to purchase a headboard separately. "Headboards make the bed,” says interior designer Isabel Ladd. “They define the bed, give importance to a space, and add interest to a wall.” To find the best headboards, we thoroughly researched the market and analyzed aesthetic factors like style and material, as well as practical details like assembly and adjustability. In addition to Ladd, we also consulted interior designer Victoria Holly to share her best tips for selecting a headboard. Best Upholstered Pottery Barn Elliott Square Upholstered Headboard If you want a classic headboard that adds a touch of visual intrigue to your bedroom, this upholstered option from Pottery Barn is it. The headboard has a low-profile rectangular shape and 33 fabric options, ranging from boucle to chenille. $399 at Pottery Barn West Elm Emmett Headboard This tufted headboard is available in five styles—vertical, horizontal, grid, border, and diamond. Nearly every aspect of the headboard is customizable, from the bounty of fabrics to the two height options. View on West Elm Mercer41 Veronique Performance Velvet Headboard This sophisticated velvet headboard adds deco glam to your bedroom. The scalloped, channel-tufted arch draws in the eye—especially if you pick the navy blue, teal, or dusty rose color. $146 at Wayfair Zinus Trina Upholstered Headboard With a classic diamond-pattern tufted headboard, this piece of furniture works well in traditional-style bedrooms. It's padded with dense foam for additional comfort and can be adjusted to various heights. $85 at Amazon Best Storage Article Kouva Storage Headboard This storage headboard, is perfect for small space dwellers and organization fanatics alike. The slatted pattern adds texture to your room, while the open shelving on each side eliminates the need for a nightstand. View on Article.com IKEA Brimnes Headboard with Storage This headboard has adjustable shelving on each side, perfect for a glass of water, wireless charging pad, or stack of books. Not only does the headboard provide ample storage space, but it also eliminates the need for a nightstand. $130 at Ikea Sand & Stable Newhaven Headboard Similar to a bookshelf or a hutch, this headboard provides plenty of storage space above your bed, from five interior shelves to the lengthy top surface. Plus, you can adjust and customize the height of the interior shelves. $170 at Wayfair Prepac Stylish Full/Queen Headboard with 3 Compartments This is a heavy-duty storage headboard, weighing in at a hefty 69 pounds. Thankfully, it's sturdy enough to stand alone, so you don't need to attach it to your bed frame (though that option is available for added stability). $135 at Amazon Best Wood Homestyles Aspen Rustic Cherry Queen/Full Headboard For those looking for a traditional wood aesthetic—this headboard has an elegant, sturdy design. It's made of mahogany with cherry veneers, while picture-frame moldings and carved posts add a sophisticated touch. $293 at Home Depot Harriet Bee Bharmal Solid Wood Headboard Wood headboards can be visually heavy, but this one from Harriet Bee has a lightweight aesthetic. Rather than solid wood, it's made from a series of slats connected by a gentle arch and is available in walnut, white, espresso, or gray. $130 at Wayfair Bme Vivian Headboard If you think wooden headboards are only for rustic design styles, this headboard will make you reconsider. Though the wood lends a touch of old-school charm, the geometric design is more mid-century modern. $238 at Amazon Modway Archie Wood Headboard Another modern option, this wood headboard uses a window-pane design to lend it a mid-century look. Though it's a sturdy wood panel, it's thinner than many other options, making it more lightweight. $69 at Wayfair Best Leather The Citizenry Hanging Leather Headboard If you want an artisanal headboard, this pick from the Citizenry is for you. Made from leather, the caramel-colored headboard hangs from the wall above your bed, making it a great space-saving option. View on The-citizenry.com Article Sven Charme Headboard If you love the look of a tufted headboard but don't want soft upholstery, opt for the Article Sven Charme Headboard. This tufted headboard has the pillowy look of upholstery but is covered in a tan full-aniline leather. View on Article.com Oroa Calixta Upholstered Headboard Make your headboard a focal point with this leather piece, which draws immediate attention to your bed. The hand-braided leather straps are attached to an aged teak frame, giving it an artisanal quality. View on Perigold.com Nathan James Harlow Headboard With a mix of farmhouse, industrial, and rustic decor styles, this leather headboard is a design-forward option. It's made from faux leather with a vintage finish and hangs from a black support bar. $143 at Amazon $143 at Target $143 at Target Best Metal Safavieh Paloma Retro Metal Headboard With a geometric, vintage-inspired silhouette, this metal headboard adds instant pizzazz to a room. It's finished in black or gold, each color creating a radically different look and feel for your space. View on Raymourflanigan.com $250 at Home Depot Modway Abigail Modern Farmhouse Metal Queen Headboard Another farmhouse style, this headboard has an arch for a touch of dynamism, bookended by tapered posts. While the design is simple, when paired with floral bedding and comfy pillows, you have the makings of a cozy farmhouse bedroom. $78 at Amazon $78 at Home Depot Dorel Living Drexel Metal Slat Headboard Lovers of the modern farmhouse aesthetic, look no further than this simple yet elegant metal headboard. Its look is more streamlined than many other metal headboards—with a subtle contemporary flair that keeps it chic. $70 at Target Mainstays Mainstays Metal Headboard This classic design has scrolled metalwork and posts capped with ball finials that add a sense of traditional style. Your color options include pewter, bronze, black, and white, making this piece more versatile. $57 at Walmart Best Decorative Article Almelo This fan-shaped decorative headboard makes a statement. With two built-in nightstands and channeled velvet upholstery in serrano green or sumac red, this headboard has an art deco–inspired look. $699 at Article.com Bayou Breeze Deloris Open-Frame Headboard Nothing exudes coastal elegance more than rattan furniture. We love this pick for its sculptural design that can be the focal point of a room. We also appreciate that it comes in four colors—white, mint, black, and natural. $650 at Wayfair Lulu and Georgia Kadence Headboard The asymmetrical shape of this option exemplifies modernity, so if you prefer a contemporary look, this is the headboard for you. Plus, you can pick from 25 upholstery options to suit your preferred style. View on Luluandgeorgia.com Nathan James Evelyn Headboard Mix materials and textures with this Scandinavian-inspired headboard from Nathan James. It has a light wood frame filled with loosely woven faux leather straps. $210 at Amazon How to Shop for Headboards Like a Pro Material Headboards can be made out of pretty much any material under the sun, but some of the most common options include soft textiles, leather, wood, metal, and rattan. "I prefer fabric headboards to give you the opportunity to add drama with patterns and color," says Ladd, who notes that many other materials like wood and metal don't always allow you to get as creative. Upholstered headboards are also ideal for leaning against while sitting up in bed since they provide more cushion than other options. "If you are opting for fabric, make sure it’s easy to clean," says Holly. "Believe it or not, over time, the oils from your head will show up on your headboard fabric! Shape Many headboards have a rectangular shape that mimics the bed and mattress, but you can get creative with more sculptural designs, too. "Choose a shape that evokes the mood you are trying to create," says Ladd. "Curves for a feminine look, straight and sharp for a utilitarian or masculine look, dramatic arch for a boho mood, or simple and squared off if you want to steal the show with a vibrant pattern that would best stand out against a simple shape." Also, don't forget the importance of size and scale. "We also love incorporating headboards that are part of the wall design, not just part of the bed," says Holly. "For example, headboards that go from floor to ceiling and maybe feature a blend of wood and fabric, or that are asymmetrical. These types of headboards provide a more architectural look." Assembly Pay attention to the manufacturer's directions for assembly. Some headboards come in a single piece, but most require a bit of assembly, especially when it comes to attaching the headboard to your bed frame. Many furniture companies also offer white-glove delivery services that include assembly for a fee—if you're looking to save time and aggravation, it may be worth the splurge. Adjustability For headboards that attach to a bed frame via brackets, you might want to look into ones that are adjustable. Bed frames come in different heights, so a headboard's fixed-height brackets might not align perfectly with the rest of your bed. But some headboards have adjustable brackets so you can tweak the height to match your bed frame. That's why it's important to look for adjustable options if you aren’t going to measure the height of your bed frame before buying a headboard. Questions You Might Ask Is a headboard necessary? From a practical standpoint, no. Headboards are not necessary for the function of a bed—you can still get a good night's sleep without one. That said, bedrooms may look somewhat unfinished without a headboard, so many designers consider it a necessity. Plus, headboards provide "an opportunity to showcase your personal style," according to Ladd. "So many other rooms in a home may reflect several home dwellers, but a headboard and bedroom could be a direct reflection of the one or two occupants in that space," she says. Do you have to attach your headboard to your bed? Many headboards must be attached to your bed frame to stand upright. But there are some alternative options on the market, such as hanging headboards, peel-and-stick headboards, and standalone headboards. "Based on the specific design construction of some beds, not all headboards are meant to be mounted to the bed or the wall," says Holly. "But in most situations, for safety, we like to make sure it’s secured to at least one." How do you clean a headboard? Cleaning instructions will vary based on the material that your headboard is made of. For example, upholstered headboards might need to be vacuumed down, whereas wood and metal headboards might need to be wiped down with a damp cloth. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning a headboard before using any cleaning products, and if you do use cleaning products, be sure to test them in an inconspicuous spot first. How much should you expect to pay for a headboard? Headboards range greatly in price, from shy of $100 to well over $1,000. More expensive headboards are often, but not always, of higher quality, which means they might last longer. But the most important thing is to pick a headboard within your budget. What height should a headboard be? There's no hard or fast rule for a headboard height, though it should always fit your bed frame. For that reason, many headboards have an adjustable height. Consider the overall design scheme in a room to appropriately scale your headboard with other elements like rugs or nightstands. "A more sleek headboard might be just 36 inches from the floor, versus a more traditional one might sit around 48 to 60 inches, whereas a more glamorous or ultra-modern headboard might go floor-to-ceiling," says Holly. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Stefanie Waldek, a contributing writer for Real Simple with eight years of experience writing about home and four years of experience reviewing products. To come up with these recommendations, Stefanie spent hours researching headboards and ultimately narrowed down the list based on style, price, and assembly. She also tapped interior designers Isabel Ladd and Victoria Holly for expert input.