How High Should A Headboard Be Above The Mattress?

If you want to know how high should a headboard be above the mattress, there is no specific number. However, we will talk about what to remember when choosing the height for your bed. You also want to consider the headboard’s type and if it will fit the specific mattress size you have.

Perhaps you need to arrange the bed for your toddler, or you want to revamp your bedroom. Never overlook the headboard because it provides support and also protection from abrasion. Without further ado, here is everything to know about headboard heights.

How High Should A Headboard Be Above The Mattress

 

Guide To Headboard Heights Above The Mattress

The headboard is not only meant to improve the aesthetics of the bed. It is also functional by protecting you or the wall from abrasion. However, it can be overwhelming to select the right one for your bed because headboards come in different heights. 

There is no definite standard to follow when it comes to headboard heights. Instead, we want to remind you to get something shorter than the overall length of your bed. To give you a quick guide, those who have a twin bed should use a headboard 14 inches above the mattress. 

On the other hand, bigger beds like full and queen sizes can have them 28 inches above. Then, you can have the headboard 58 inches above the mattress for huge ones like a king and California king. 

 

Types Of Headboard Heights

 

Short

Understandably, you can get a short or low headboard if your bed is small, like a twin-size model. If you use something tall for small mattresses, it will make the room look smaller, and you’ll lose space above the bed. Opt for a low headboard for a twin-size mattress and have it 12 or 10 inches above.

 

Tall

Conversely, it would be best to get a tall headboard for mattresses like king and California models. You’ll put these types of beds in a large room with high ceilings, so you want something that will fill the extra vertical space. You can get a headboard around 65 inches tall to protect your head when you sit up as well.

 

Adjustable

If you don’t want to commit to a specific headboard size, there are also adjustable types. What’s excellent with adjustable headboards is they will also work with special sizes of mattresses. You just need to move the metallic legs upward or downward to reach the height you desire. 

 

Should Headboard Be Above Mattress?

You have to remember that the bottom part of the headboard should end up behind the mattress. This way, you don’t lose support on your back when you sit up in bed. You can have the headboard sit 3 inches below the mattress for the best support. 

As we have discussed earlier, headboards also come in mattress sizes. Therefore, a twin headboard would work best with a twin-size mattress. These headboards are also as wide as the corresponding bed and around 2 to 10 inches thick, depending on the material. The height itself can range from 14 to 58 inches, and you can decide which one is the most compatible one for your room and mattress using our guide above. 

Have something shorter than your bed’s length, and then decide the height according to your room. If your space provides a high ceiling, then opt for a tall headboard. The emphasis is only necessary on not having the headboard sit on the mattress. 

 

How Do You Measure Headboard Height?

It will benefit you in the long run if you know how to measure the headboard height, like learning how to measure a mattress. It’s as simple as using a measuring tape from the top of the bed towards the measurement you want. Then, get the mattress depth as this can affect the style of the headboard you might get. 

What if you want a custom headboard? It would help if you got the bed width, mattress height, and the measurement from the top of the mattress to the top of the headboard. Having these dimensions at hand will be useful when buying or getting a headboard made. 

 

How Tall Should An Upholstered Headboard Be?

Upholstered headboards or padded headboards are gaining popularity because they come in various shapes and styles that can enhance any room style. But regardless of their covering or seams, the rule for the proper headboard height for the mattress still applies. We mean that it should support you while sitting on the bed, and it will be tall enough to accommodate your pillows and mattress. 

The headboard’s bottom should be 3 to 4 inches below the top of the mattress after you have mounted it so that it gets hidden. More so, the height you’re perfecting is what you see above the bed and not the total height from the floor. 

 

Conclusion

Are you installing a new headboard? Do you know how high should a headboard be above the mattress? If not, the general gist of our article is to follow the mattress size and room space. A king-size bed works best with a king-size headboard and so on. 

Then, install the headboard so that the bottom part gets hidden by the mattress. The model itself should also be shorter than the length of your bed. Overall, there is no specific guideline to follow as long as the headboard will do its job well.