Figuring Out What Size Your King Headboard Should Be
When shopping for a new king-sized bed, one of the most important considerations is finding a headboard that fits properly. With king mattresses ranging from 76 to 80 inches wide, having accurate headboard dimensions ensures your bedding looks cohesive. But between traditional stationary beds and adjustable bases, plus choices like wood, upholstered and tufted designs, making sense of king headboard sizes can get confusing.
Standard king headboards typically measure between 79 and 81 inches wide, with a common height of 58 inches. This leaves ample room for pillows and bedding above the mattress. However, if using an adjustable base that allows for inclined reclining, consider a slightly wider headboard for better support. And don't forget to account for the thickness of the headboard itself - a solid wood design adds more depth than a tightly upholstered style.
Standard King Headboard Dimensions
When shopping off the shelf, most king size headboards adhere to common width and height dimensions:
- Width: 79 to 81 inches wide
- Height: 58 inches tall
These standard measurements are designed to beautifully frame a king-sized mattress, which measures between 76 to 80 inches wide depending on the brand. Allowing for a few extra inches on both sides creates a more substantial, centered look. The 58 inch height leaves ample room for pillows, bedding and decorative cushions without appearing too towering or overwhelming in proportion to the width.
Other Key Headboard Measurements
While width and height are the two primary dimensions, there are a few other key measurements to factor in as well when selecting a king headboard:
- Thickness: Especially important for wooden headboards, thickness contributes to the overall width and needs to be accounted for to ensure an accurate fit.
- Attachment points: Measure how far back the headboard will be positioned from the wall or bed to ensure stability.
- Leg room: Make sure lower headboard borders don't obstruct ability to sit on the edge of mattress.
Taking these other spatial considerations into account ensures your king headboard aligns properly with your existing bed frame and bedroom architecture for a custom, integrated look.
Adjustable Beds and King Headboards
For adjustable beds that allow for inclined or zero gravity reclining positions, make sure any king headboard you choose will fully support and follow the mattress. Some tips for pairing a headboard with an adjustable king bed include:
Check Dimensional Specifications
While most standard king headboard heights and widths work with adjustable bases, it's important to verify specifications. Some adjustable beds have unique headboard requirements or additional hardware needed for proper mounting. Checking the owner's manual or manufacturer guidelines is the best place to start.
Consider a Slight Size Upgrade
A wider and taller headboard that extends beyond the mattress width can help keep pillows and bedding in place when the bed is inclined or reclined. An 81 to 83 inch wide headboard or 60 to 62 inch height leaves extra room for adjusting positions.
Look for Universal Brackets
Many adjustable beds now come with universal headboard mounting brackets that are designed to work with most standard king headboard widths. For other adjustable beds, you may need to purchase separate adjustable headboard brackets.
With precise measuring and an understanding of how adjustable bases recline, you can confidently choose a king headboard size that offers full mattress support.
Material and Design Choices
The richness of wood or sleek tufted leather? The softness of a padded linen fabric or efficiency of metal and glass? King headboards come in a wide range of material and design options to match any bedroom's style. But the textures, shapes and decorative details impact the overall size and placement requirements.
Wood Headboards
Wood remains one of the most popular headboard materials for its natural beauty, durability and ability to be carved into a vast array of shapes. The thickness of a solid wood headboard ranges widely from less than an inch for a basic flat panel style to over 6 inches for an intricate carved design. Remember, wood thickness counts towards overall width.
Upholstered Headboards
For a softer alternative to wood, upholstered headboards wrap supportive foam and batting in fabrics like linen, velvet or leather. This tightly tailored construction creates a plush, cushioned style that subtly blends into a room without taking up too much space depth-wise. Just be sure upholstery tacks or nails don't obstruct sitting area.
Tufted Headboards
Combining ornamental style with soft comfort, tufted headboards feature button detailing that adds lovely dimension. The tufted fabric is often layered over wood, so measure both the visible fabric width as well as the underlying wooden frame width. Also check that tufted buttons don't impact sitting room at mattress edge if that's important for your usage.
Evaluating the thickness, textures and protruding details for your chosen headboard materials ensures the proper spatial fit - no narrow squeezes or obstructions.
Custom-Sized King Headboards
For bedrooms with unique architecture, non-standard mattress sizes or a need for coordinating aesthetic, a custom king headboard crafted to your exact specifications is the way to achieve a flawless fit. Working with skilled woodworkers, metal artisans or upholstery sewing pros, almost any size, shape and style can be accommodated.
Measure Your Unique Bedroom
Start by carefully measuring available headboard space lengthwise along the bed area, as well as vertically from floor to ceiling. For angled walls or awkward spaces, detailed dimensions of the entire area ensure an accurate size recommendation.
Provide room sketches and photos along withmeasurements for the most tailor-made fit suggestions.
Pick Material and Style
With measurements in hand, discuss your preferred headboard materials and styles with your custom craftsman. Consider durable hardwoods like oak or maple for traditional ornamental styles, metal for contemporary sleekness or supple leather for transitional luxury.
Be sure to communicate any size expectations for thickness, height and width to achieve your perfect custom creation.
Corner Headboards
For an extra cozy and efficient use of bedroom space, a corner king headboard maximizes your layout. Custom-sized to seamlessly fill the intersection where two converging walls meet, a corner headboard adds character to unused negative space.
Work closely with your designer or woodworker to build a right-angled headboard that aligns flush within your bedroom's corners. Creative shaping can also soften sharp corners for extra comfort and visual flow.
Finding a properly sized king headboard ultimately comes down to accurately measuring your mattress, bed frame and bedroom space. While most standard king headboards fall within 79 to 81 inches wide and 58 inches tall, also consider thickness of chosen materials and any specific adjustable base requirements. For truly custom sizing or to build within awkward layouts, corner placements or angled architecture, a bespoke headboard crafted to your exact specifications can solve any spatial challenge with elegance.