Headboards are one of, if not the most important feature in a bedroom. Especially in the master bedroom, these beautiful works of art can make or break your final design. Okay, it’s probably not that serious, but they can truly elevate your bedroom when you choose the right one! Now, the challenge is how do you find the perfect headboard.
I’m so glad you asked! Headboard shopping is a ton of fun and I’ve got a few tips, suggestions, and examples of beautiful modern farmhouse headboards and how to style them. If you have any personal questions about the right headboard in your bedroom, feel free to comment below and I’d love to help!
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Headboard Selection
There are a few factors you should consider when you start your headboard selection process. It goes much deeper than loving how it looks. You also need to think about how much it costs, how big you need it, and much more. If you’re in the market for a new headboard or curious if yours is right for your room, keep reading.
Size
Size seems simple because you think “Well if I have a King mattress, I’ll buy a King headboard.” You’re not wrong, but there is more to it than that. Your headboard can be up to 4″ wider than your mattress and bedframe (excluding ones with built-in nightstands) and anywhere from 14″-60″ above your mattress.
If you’re looking for a large statement in your room, you can make the headboard larger so it can create a focal point in your bedroom. If you prefer to have a large art piece that steals the focus, opt for a shorter headboard. If you need a more precise sizing guide, here’s a quick guide:
- Twin headboards should be around 41″ wide and fit best in a 10×10 or smaller room
- Full headboards should be around 56 inches wide and function great in a 10×10 room
- Queen headboards should be around 62 inches wide and also fit best in a 10×10 room
- King headboards should be around 74 inches wide and need a 12×12 room or larger
Style
This will be highly dependent on your goal for your room. One of the best parts about the modern farmhouse style is that it can take in many different styles and incorporate them under its umbrella. This allows so much freedom to choose a fun, unique headboard. Find one that adds a little touch of whatever style you would like to highlight whether it’s bohemian, french country, mid-century modern, rustic, or whatever!
Your headboard style will also dictate the bedding and feel of the room. If you’re interested in learning how to upgrade your bedding check out my old blog dedicated to creating the most comfortable, luxurious modern farmhouse bed!
Type
A headboard is a headboard, right? Yes, but there are three basic headboards: freestanding, wall-mounted, and bedframe-mounted. Wall-mounted and bedframe mounted are exactly what they sound like. Wall-mounted headboards attach to your wall (like the image above) and do not rock or squeak like a typical bedframe-mounted headboard.
Freestanding is also unique in that it is not mounted to the bed frame or the wall. Strange, I know, but there are plenty on the market if you’d like some flexibility in how your headboard is situated. Plus, it’s easily moveable.
Material
Choosing a material is more than just “Oh, I love this iron headboard!” The material you select will dictate the other furniture options you can put into your room. Confused? Bear with me on this one.
If you’ve read practically any of my blogs you know that I absolutely despise (okay, that’s a bit strong) matching furniture sets. To help create an elevated, luxurious look you will want to mix and match the furniture in your space. If you choose a wood bed frame, you’re limited in the nightstand options since I recommend not using wood again. If you do choose wood on wood, I recommend at the very least choosing a different color, weight, and scale.
If you need a bit of inspiration on different materials, I’ve got you covered:
- Leather headboards tend to cost a little more, but they are stunning and versatile. You can mix these with wood, metal, wicker, or practically any material for a very organic and elevated bedroom.
- Wooden headboards often feel very heavy and therefore tend to make a bold statement or feature. These should be accompanied by a thicker nightstand to help create balance. If you have a white, wood headboard opt for perhaps a more natural wood bedside table or a thick metal one.
- Iron headboards are the absolute epitome of modern farmhouse bedroom design. These stunning (and extremely heavy) pieces of art are also very versatile and help bring some dimension to the space. I don’t always love these with metal nightstands, but they do have a ton of versatility.
- Fabric headboards provide a soft, comfortable surface and come in a million shapes, sizes, textures, and styles. In my opinion, these are absolutely the most versatile. If you want more freedom to choose other materials for your bedroom furniture, this is the best option for you!
- Bamboo or Wicker headboards give a more bohemian or coastal vibe, but they still fit well into modern farmhouse design. They’re fairly versatile, but their lightness requires furniture to be a bit more dainty so as not to overpower it.
Budget
Let’s talk about the price point. If you have a bit of a tight budget, a beautiful leather headboard is not going to be your best option as a good one of these starts in the thousands. While your cheapest headboard may start around $150 (unless you find something used on Facebook marketplace or Craigslist) your more expensive options can range upwards of $1,000 or more. The larger your bed, the more dough you should expect to shell out.
