Headboard Types, Fixings and Tall Headboards
By Kaiser Khan, Editor Updated First published
Desk research from official sources. Not a product test or medical advice. How we check facts.
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In short
A headboard is an upright panel at the head of the bed. It adds comfort, protects the wall and finishes the look. Common materials are padded fabric, wood and metal. You can bolt it to a divan, stand it on the floor or fix it to the wall. Height and fixing method decide whether it clears pillows and wall fittings.
About 4 minutes to read
How it works
Material types
| Material | Typical traits |
|---|---|
| Upholstered | Soft padded surface; fabric or leather cover over foam or fibre |
| Wooden | Rigid panel or plank design; shows grain and joinery |
| Metal | Frame or panel in steel or iron; often looks lighter |
Upholstered boards use the same fabric families as divans. That includes plush velvet, crushed velvet, chenille, linen-look and faux leather. Decode colour names in bed upholstery fabrics and colours.
Face styles (shape language)
| Style | What it is |
|---|---|
| Panel / plain | Smooth padded rectangle — the usual standard strutted board |
| Deep-buttoned / Chesterfield | Dimpled tufted face; see Chesterfield guide |
| Winged | Side panels stick out forward around the pillows |
| Tall floor-standing | Often around 54″ (≈137 cm) retail height — check exact cm |
Model names on shop sites are usually shape labels, not different mechanisms.
Installation types
- Strutted — bolts into divan or bed frame sockets; moves with the bed when you reposition it. Common with divan bed sets (often about 20″ / 50 cm strut boards before upgrades).
- Floor-standing — stands on legs; often sits between wall and mattress; may need spacer blocks for mattress clearance.
- Wall-mounted — fixed to the wall, not the base; useful with ottoman or adjustable platforms that move.
Height and mattress stack
Pillow height, toppers and deep mattresses change how much board shows above the sleep surface. Measure the finished stack depth before choosing a low decorative board.
Tall, wingback and split headboards
Many UK upholstered beds now come with very tall headboards. Sellers often list the height in inches. Heights from about 45 to 80 inches are on sale. That is about 114 to 203 cm.
| Style | What it means | What to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Tall headboard | Stands well above the pillows and sets the look of the room | Floor to ceiling, beams and sloped ceilings |
| Wingback | Side panels curve forward around the pillows | Full width across the wings, not just the bed |
| Split or multi-piece | Comes in two or three pieces that bolt together in the room | The size of the biggest piece |
Mark sockets, light switches and window sills on the wall first. A tall or winged headboard can cover them.
Will a tall headboard fit up the stairs?
The headboard is often the biggest single piece of a bed. A base or ottoman can come in sections. A one-piece headboard cannot.
- Measure the narrowest door on the way to the bedroom.
- Measure the stairs at the tightest turn, and the ceiling above that turn.
- Compare those numbers with the packed headboard size, not the bed size.
- If it will not fit, ask for a split headboard before you order.
The bed footprint and access guide has the full delivery check.
Returns on made-to-order headboards
Tall headboards are often made to order. That means they are built after you pay. GOV.UK says a seller only has to refund personalised or custom-made items if they are faulty. Some UK sellers also exclude tall headboards from change-of-mind returns. Read the returns page before you choose a height. Your rights for faulty goods still apply. See UK bed refund and return rights.
In short: measure the room, the way in and the returns rules before you pick a tall headboard.
Related BedGuide entries
Frequently asked questions
What is a strutted headboard?
A strutted headboard has vertical struts made of wood or metal. They bolt into sockets on a divan or compatible bed frame. The board moves with the bed instead of fixing only to the wall.
Can any headboard fit any bed?
No. Width must match the bed size from Single through Super King. Strut spacing or wall-mount geometry must match the base or wall design. Always check fixing centres in centimetres before you buy.
Will a tall headboard fit up the stairs?
Only if its packed size gets through the narrowest door and the tightest stair turn. A bed base can come in parts, but a one-piece headboard cannot. Ask for a split or multi-piece headboard if the way in is tight.
Can I return a made-to-order headboard?
Not always for a change of mind. GOV.UK says sellers only have to refund custom-made items if they are faulty. Some sellers also exclude tall headboards from returns. Read the returns page before you order.
Where do these facts come from?
BedGuide is desk research. The numbers and rules on this page were checked against the official or primary sources below. We name the check date. We do not invent a figure when a source is missing.
- GOV.UK — accepting returns and giving refunds — Lists personalised or custom-made items among goods a seller only has to refund if they are faulty. Checked 2026-10-30.