Does a bed need a headboard?

When it comes to shopping online for a new bed it can be really easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice out there. Standard beds, customised beds, colourful beds, plain beds, upholstered beds… it’s sheer lunacy. And yet…what about beds with/without headboards? This is a question that pops up more rarely and yet a headboard can make or break your experience of your new bed. Therefore, here at Furitreful we’ve decided to cover what a headboard is, their pros and cons as well as bed type alternates that may not even need a headboard (anyone heard of the futon?). So, without further ado, let’s get into all things headboard related!

What is a headboard?

A headboard is a piece of bedroom furniture that remains upright and attaches to the head of the board. Headboards were initially used to protect sleepers from cold drafts and therefore were made from wood rather than metal because they are less thermally conductive. However, nowadays headboards serve more of a decorative function.

What are the advantages of a headboard?

• One advantage of headboards is that they protect your wall from abrasion, since typically most people keep their bed pushed up against a wall.
• Another advantage is that they can be decorated very beautifully and add a personal touch to any room

What are the disadvantages of a headboard?

• One disadvantage is that they take up a lot of space
• Your space could be used for wall pieces and light fittings instead

Bed types that do not even require a headboard

The futon is a Japanese bed that is made up of only a pillow and a mattress. No headboard required.