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The perfect headboard—whether made from sleek steel or upholstered in luxe linen—is integral to elevating your bedroom decor. And for good reason: A design-forward headboard instantly becomes the room’s focal point, transforming even the simplest of bed frames, and sets the tone for a zen space (hopefully relaxing you right into a good night’s sleep). But shopping for a headboard can be overwhelming. Which options are compatible with your bed frame? What’s better: Wood or upholstered, boldly patterned, or a classic neutral color? No need to fret. We’ve sleuthed out the best headboards to buy across a range of budgets and styles so you can transform any room in no time. 

Our Favorites

Best Rattan: Serena & Lily Balboa Headboard

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Balboa Headboard, Serena & Lily ($1,398)
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Material: Mahogany frame covered in hand-wrapped rattan | Height: 50 inches | Frame compatibility: Attaches to any standard bed frame | Starting price: $1,398 

What we like:

  • Brass end-capped legs
  • Solid mahogany frame
  • Compatible with any bed frame

Worth noting:

  • Ships in 2 to 3 weeks
  • Assembly not required
  • Currently 20% off with the code SPRING

Why we chose it: A good deal on a timeless headboard, both in style and sturdiness. 

Fans of Serena & Lily already know rattan is synonymous with the popular home retailer. This investment piece that sports the woven material not only radiates a timeless aesthetic thanks to its warm exterior but boasts an interior frame that’s built to last out of solid mahogany wood. The best part? It’s currently on offer for 20% off due to a sitewide sale going down at S&L—just pop in the code SPRING at checkout to score the limited-time discount.

Best Profile: Lulu and Georgia Clementine Headboard

Lulu and George Clementine Headboard
Clementine Headboard, Lulu and Georgia ($798)
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Material: Solid pinewood with polyester | Height: 58 inches | Frame compatibility: Attaches to any standard bed frame | Starting price: $798 

What we like:

  • Design-forward scalloped profile
  • Available in 16 fabric and color combinations
  • Compatible with any bed frame

Worth noting:

  • Ships in 5 to 7 weeks
  • Assembly required

Why we chose it: A tailored headboard with a wavy silhouette that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

The best upholstered headboards are equally elegant and of the moment, just like this sculptural design. The classic upholstery—available in a wide array of hues and textures, like cream sherpa and navy velvet—pairs beautifully with the fresh scalloped shape, making for a headboard you’ll never tire of. Best of all, it attaches to any standard bed frame. 

Best Channel: West Elm Emmett Headboard

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Emmett Headboard, West Elm ($549)
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Material: Wood frame padded with your fabric of choice | Height: 46 or 58 inches | Frame compatibility: Works with most West Elm bed frames and standard-size beds | Starting price: $399 

What we like:

  • Available in 6 tufting styles
  • Fabric options galore, including linen, tweed, and velvet
  • Can be delivered and installed with West Elm’s white-glove service

Worth noting:

  • Some fabrics require a longer lead time for delivery

Why we chose it: With so many personalization options, this headboard is a choose-your-own adventure. 

Meet the Goldilocks of the best headboards to buy. Choose between five sizes, six tufting styles, two heights, and 29 (!) fabric options to create the headboard that’s just right for you. Whether you go for a horizontal channel white bouclé or nontufted graphite linen, this headboard will make any bed feel more luxurious.

Best Patterns: The Inside Square Back Headboard

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Square Back Headboard, The Inside ($505)
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Material: 100% cotton | Height: 51 inches| Frame compatibility: Standard sizing | Starting price: $329 

What we like:

  • Available in dozens of fabric patterns
  • Handmade by artisans across North America
  • Includes a 1-year warranty

Worth noting:

  • Every order is sustainably made, which may affect your delivery date

Why we chose it: A stately headboard in wonderfully wild patterns.

This headboard is available in dozens of fabrics that all make a statement (think: shibori, ikat, and Sheila Bridges’s celebrated Harlem Toile), so whether your style skews bold, cheeky, or classic, there’s a pattern that will fit your existing bedroom decor—or purposefully stand out. The extra-tall height adds drama, too. 

Best Cane: The Citizenry Lokon Cane Headboard

The Citizenry Lokon Domino
Lokon Cane Headboard, The Citizenry ($595)
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Material: Manau rattan and cane weaving | Height: 21.5 inches | Frame compatibility: Wall-mounted | Starting price: $595 

What we like:

  • Timeless, textured design
  • Available in 2 sizes
  • Handcrafted by artisans in Indonesia

Worth noting:

  • Requires basic tools (including a power drill and level) and some patience to hang
  • Since it’s wall mounted, you’re committing to bed placement

Why we chose it: A simple wall-mounted headboard to bring texture to your bedroom.

While some styles come and go (and come and go again), cane and rattan are here to stay, so this textural, artisan-made headboard will always look classic. The simple design provides structure to a bedroom, and the rattan weave adds a warm, organic touch. Get out your power drill and measuring tape—this headboard needs to be wall mounted and includes easy-to-follow instructions. And since it fits just about any size bed, it’s also one of the best king-size headboards we’ve seen.

Best Cushion: Anthropologie Hemming Headboard Cushion

Anthropologie Domino
Hemming Headboard Cushion, Anthropologie ($198)
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Material: Linen upholstery with foam and fiberfill | Height: 13.75 inches | Frame compatibility: Works with Anthropologie headboards | Starting price: $198 

What we like:

  • Adds softness to a hard headboard
  • Hooks on easily
  • Available in various colors and patterns

Worth noting:

  • Headboard sold separately
  • Dry-clean only

Why we chose it: Snap it on to add a soft touch to your headboard. 

If you’re indulging in one of Anthropologie’s Hemming headboards (good choice!), add one of these headboard cushions to your cart, too. Each upholstered cushion attaches with leather straps and adds softness, color, and texture to the hard lines and feel of the headboard. Opt for the oatmeal linen for a classic neutral look or the pretty peony for a burst of color. Before committing, scroll through Anthropologie’s leather, bouclé, and bright woven options, too. 

Best Value: Kelly Clarkson Home Alexis Metal Headboard

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Alexis Metal Headboard, Kelly Clarkson Home ($188 was $239)
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Material: Metal | Height: 26.25 inches | Frame compatibility: Standard sizing | Starting price: $188 

What we like:

  • Goes-with-everything style
  • Unbeatable price
  • Fast delivery

Worth noting:

  • Delivery may be delayed
  • Assembly required

Why we chose it: A budget-friendly headboard that matches a range of decor styles.

Whether your bedroom has a feminine, contemporary, or vintage feel, this arched metal headboard will fit right in. It’s a little nostalgic, a little modern, and a lot affordable. Nab one for your bedroom or buy one to elevate a guest bedroom without dropping serious cash. 

Best Floating: Urban Outfitters Aria Headboard

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Aria Headboard, Urban Outfitters ($599)
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Material: Bentwood and rubberwood veneer | Dimensions: 71.5 inches long, 4.75 inches wide, 22 inches high | Frame compatibility: One size fits all | Starting price: $599 

Worth noting:

  • 2 people are recommended for assembly
  • Each headboard has natural wood variance, so no two are alike and may vary from what is pictured

Why we chose it: A floating, one-size-fits-all frame that doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics for space. 

With its curved silhouette finished in a smooth white stain, this wall-mounted headboard offers an artful opportunity to save precious floor space inside smaller bedrooms (particularly studios where the bedroom can function as the living space). Since the piece weighs close to 80 pounds, two people are recommended for assembly—however, assembly instructions and hanging hardware are included in the shipment.

Best With Built-In Nightstands: Article Kouva Headboard

Article Kouva Domino
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Material: Solid oak | Height: 46 inches | Frame compatibility: Compatible with queen-size bed | Starting price: $699 

What we like:

  • Evokes a chic Scandinavian style
  • Smart design includes discreet cord cutouts
  • Open shelves add lots of space for bedside essentials

Worth noting:

  • Simple assembly required
  • Professional cleaning is recommended for serious spills
  • Needs to be secured to the wall

Why we chose it: With built-in nightstands, this headboard is a two-bird, one-stone solution.  

No need to shop for nightstands and a headboard; this option includes both. Finally, you’ll have a proper place to set your bedside must-haves, all within easy reach. The solid oak headboard’s architectural lines are ultra-elegant, and the open shelving creates a home for your alarm clock, water glass, and whatever else gathers at your bedside. One thing to keep in mind: It’s a big piece of furniture, and for safety, it must be secured to the wall. 

How We Chose the Best Headboards to Buy

Since a headboard is a big physical and financial purchase, we took extra care to find pieces you’ll love for years to come. We scouted the best headboards to buy in a variety of materials, from cane to velvet to steel, so no matter your preference, there’s a headboard for you. Variety within each pick was a bonus, too: The more sizes, fabrics, and tufting options available, the better.  

Our Best Headboards to Buy Shopping Checklist

Size and Dimension

Most of the best headboards to buy are offered in standard sizes—but keep a close eye on dimensions to double-check that your new headboard will fit both your bed and your space. To help visualize a headboard’s size, measure the dimensions on your wall and outline its silhouette with painter’s tape.  

Mount Type and Installation

We wouldn’t want to spend an afternoon scratching our heads over installation instructions, and we don’t want you to either. That’s why we selected the best headboards to buy with minimal and easy assembly, plus some with white-glove service if you want to opt out of installation altogether. However, we couldn’t resist one wall-mounted headboard that requires a bit of simple drilling. It’s not difficult, though—trust us. The hardest part is committing to where the bed will be placed.  

Material and Upholstery 

Quality material is at the top of our shopping list for anything and everything we source. So when considering the best headboards to buy, be on the lookout for solid wood, sturdy steel, and upholstery that both looks and feels luxe. No matter the material, it should be long-lasting and easy to clean. 

Ask Domino

Q: Do I even need a headboard? What’s the benefit of having one? 

While you don’t need a headboard, it serves both practical and aesthetic purposes, which makes it a must in our book. Not only does it become a focal point of your bedroom design, it acts as a barrier against poorly insulated walls and protects them from nicks and scratches. If you spend time sitting upright in bed, you’ll want a headboard to provide a soft spot to lean against. Plus nobody likes their pillows falling off the bed, and a headboard helps.  

Q: Can I DIY my own headboard? 

Most definitely! Depending on the design you’re hoping to replicate, tools such as a staple gun, circular saw, and sewing machine may be required. More important, though, you’ll need a little creativity and patience. Scroll through our archives to follow along with the step-by-step instructions for many DIY headboards, from one that uses pool noodles and another that takes 10 minutes to make to a scalloped option and a velvet design courtesy of Emily Henderson’s stylist. 

The Last Word

The best headboards don’t come cheap—but that’s the point. The worthiest of these bedroom anchor pieces feature a stylish silhouette and are crafted from quality materials that are sure to last, elevating your bedroom aesthetic for years to come.

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.