With elegant lines, unsurpassed craftsmanship, and endless upholstery options—the Harper Tall headboard wins our picks for best headboard across the board. The non-tufted upholstered front creates a tailored backdrop to your duvet and pillows, and its luxurious padding provides a soft spot to rest your head while catching up on your nighttime reading.

Each Harper headboard is made-to-order in your choice of 99 unique upholstery options, 70 of which are Pottery Barn signature performance fabrics that will look new for years to come. A double row of pewter or bronze nailhead trim frames the wingback design for an elevated, transitional look.

One mistake to avoid while headboard shopping is selecting one that is too short for your desired results. True to its name, the Harper Tall headboard soars 65 inches high, making it an instant focal point and anchoring element for your bedroom design.

“Something else to consider when selecting a headboard is mattress height,” says Hepfer. “If the mattress is too high, you won’t get the full effect of the headboard.” The good news? No mattress stands a chance of overpowering this beauty.

Style aside, the Harper headboard is durable, forged from reliable engineered hardwood that feels steady when you lean against it. The Harper is compatible with the Pottery Barn metal bed frame (sold separately) or your existing adjustable mattress base. The refined design features exposed, hand-finished feet in a Bourbon hue and comes in full, queen, king, or California king sizes.

Price at time of publish: From $1,199

Product Details: Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King | Assembly Required: White glove delivery and assembly included | Materials: Engineered hardwood, foam padding, and upholstery fabric

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This wall-mounted beauty is the best headboard if you want to save money without sacrificing style in your bedroom design. The Harlow headboard features a matte-black metal wall mount bar and two diamond tufted panels to provide a cozy focal point for your bedroom and a soft spot to land at the end of each day.

We adore the high-contrast combination of the creamy-white upholstery and inky metal bar as it visually straddles the lines between modern, industrial, and farmhouse styles and equally complements neutral or saturated interiors.

Second only to this headboard’s affordability is its adjustability. All you need is a half-hour to spare, a Phillips head screwdriver, a drill, and a .25-inch drill bit to attach the metal wall mount bar behind your bed. From there, customize the headboard to the ideal height for your space using the adjustable straps attached to the tufted headboard panels.

The white cloud Harlow headboard is available in twin, queen, and king sizes and comes in six additional upholstery options that appeal to various interior design styles. Choose the cognac vegan leather headboard to usher a sleek Scandinavian aesthetic into your space, snag the channel-tufted velvet for California modern or scoop up the heathered tweed upholstery for a touch of vintage academia flair.

Regardless of the upholstery you select, it’s worth noting that all Harlow headboards include a 100% money-back guarantee as well as a lifetime manufacturer warranty.

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Price at time of publish: $170  

Product Details: Sizes: Twin, Queen, King | Assembly Required: Yes | Materials: Engineered wood, metal, and fabric

Searching for a splurge-worthy headboard with enduring style and materials? This Pottery Barn number will not disappoint. The investment headboard features a kiln-dried hardwood frame and fixed legs to provide a steady base for your space, while plush foam padding lines the front and sides of the headboard to create a soft landing for late-night reading or binging the latest show after dark.

A classic, winged silhouette lends the headboard versatility, befitting transitional, contemporary, and traditional bedroom designs.

It’s available in all standard sizes and compatible with an adjustable mattress base, making it a top consideration for kids’ rooms, guest suites, and primary bedrooms. Each Elliot Shelter bed frame is made-to-order in your choice of 33 elegant upholstery fabrics, including 19 performance options.

Choose best-selling basketweave upholstery for expedited shipping or comb through 31 additional options for a customized bed frame delivered to your door in 12+ weeks. Use your design style as your roadmap for selecting the best headboard for your space; Performance velvet is ideal for a romantic bedroom design, while performance boucle brings just the right amount of texture to a bohemian or farmhouse design.

Price at time of publish: From $399

Product Details: Sizes: Full, Queen, King, California King | Assembly Required: White glove delivery and assembly included | Materials: Kiln-dried hardwood frame with foam padded velvet, boucle, tweed, or basketweave upholstery

There are endless tufted headboards available online, but The Inside’s tufted wingback headboard stands out from the crowd due to its versatile silhouette, customization options, durable materials, and top-notch craftsmanship.

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With its sharp wingback silhouette and diamond, button-tufted upholstery, this stately headboard feels equal parts contemporary and traditional in style; its juxtaposed details make this tufted beauty the best headboard for both.

Each tufted headboard is sustainably made-to-order and meticulously handcrafted by upholstery and woodworking experts in North America. The headboard is available in four standard bed sizes and five luxurious and life-friendly upholstery options: durable velvet, linen, sheepskin, twill, and cotton.

Another reason to stick this tufted headboard at the top of your list: it comes in 25 head-turning hues and finishes, each more beautiful than the next and all guaranteed to create a statement in your bedroom design.

Choose vibrant canary yellow, vert, or aqua velvet to make a splash in an otherwise neutral design, or stick to soft, airy linens to achieve coastal grandmother appeal. The black-and-white plaid upholstery is always a solid choice to pack panache into your guest suite or kids’ room.

While this tufted headboard is more expensive than others, its enduring quality and design are worth the investment. Plus, The Inside offers a free 30-day return policy to ensure you are happy with your purchase.

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Price at time of publish: $1,169

Product Details: Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King | Assembly: Yes | Materials: Pine lumber, engineered hardwood and polyester

Dial up the drama in your bedroom design with the help of a velvet headboard reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. The Mcafee upholstered design by Kelly Clarkson Home for Wayfair is the best headboard for the job, available in twin, full, queen, king, and California king sizes to fit bedrooms of all sizes.

The panel-style headboard is forged from solid and engineered hardwood, sporting a stately scalloped silhouette with sweeping arches that appears at home in traditional, transitional, art deco, and Hollywood Regency bedroom designs.

The Mcafee headboard attaches to your existing bed frame to create a seamless, bed-like result that will give your bedroom a polished look. Its curved lines serve as a fail-proof focal point for your bedroom, arriving at your door dressed in your choice of 13 head-turning velvet finishes suited for adults and kid spaces alike.

Romantic hues like inky-blue, berry, honey, aubergine, and black set the tone for sophistication against crisp-white or bold, floral-wrapped walls in a primary suite. Pearl, blush, ocean, and light gray velvet make a charming final touch for a little girl’s room.

Price at time of publish: $502

Product Details: Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | Assembly Required: Partial | Materials: Solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and velvet upholstery

On the prowl for the best headboard for your small bedroom? The best headboards for tight quarters are headboards that provide dual purpose for your space. Storage headboards are the hardworking, unsung heroes of tiny bedrooms everywhere, and the Amerski headboard is our favorite of the lot. This headboard offers it all: versatile design, beautiful finishes, and roomy, easy-to-reach compartments for bedside essentials.

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The affordable storage headboard is manufactured wood-forged and comes in a full/queen or king size to best suit your bedroom dimensions. Using a screwdriver you already have in your toolbox, the Amerski headboard mounts to your existing bed frame with ease via a set of pre-drilled holes to create the appearance of one continuous piece.

The space-savvy headboard lays the framework for a tidy, streamlined environment for a pint-sized kid’s room or primary suite. The low-profile design features three generous storage compartments, located overhead for storing your to-be-read books, coasters for your bedtime water, and sentimental accessories like framed family photos or sculptural art. A pair of integrated USB ports flank each end, providing convenient overnight charging for bed partners’ tech devices.

Pick from three neutral finishes: oak, gray oak, or black. The warm oak feels charming and maybe a touch traditional, while the gray-washed oak leans more coastal. By contrast, the inky-black reads contemporary and plays well in both saturated settings and airy, neutral bedrooms.

Price at time of publish: $511

Product Details: Sizes: Full/Queen, King | Assembly Required: Yes | Materials: Manufactured MDF wood

Metal headboards are mainstays for modern, farmhouse, and industrial bedroom designs, and our pick for the best headboard in metal, the Modway Kiana, is a fitting addition for all three styles. The minimalist design features five tapered spindles and round finals to create a crisp backdrop to your bedding.

Each Kiana headboard offers adjustable height with seven mounting locations. Attach the headboard to your existing bed frame at a height that allows you to layer accent pillows against its spindles without disappearing behind a pile of plush.

Headboard feet are finished with non-marking foot-caps to keep floors scratch and scuff-free underfoot. The stainless-steel design comes in twin, full, queen, or king sizes to bring a touch of nostalgic countryside charm to primary suites, guest quarters, or shared kids’ rooms alike.

Available in a deep brown, gray, or white finish, the Kiana works well as a high-contrast or understated element in a bedroom design, making it the ideal to complement saturated and muted color palettes. A powder-coated finish polishes off the steel headboard, lending the frame a durability and style you can rely on for years to come.

Price at time of publish: $92

Product Details: Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King | Assembly Required: Yes | Materials: Metal

Upholstered headboards are our secret weapon for creating a plush, inviting bed that you can’t wait to crawl into at the end of a long day.

“I love an upholstered headboard,” says Hepner. “Not only is it a more comfortable surface to lean on when you’re laying in bed, but it adds an air of sophistication and elegance. An upholstered bed really makes a room look finished and well-styled. It can also be a fun way to make a statement if you choose a bold fabric to upholster it in.”

The Kylie upholstered headboard from Joss & Main earns its top spot as the best upholstered headboard for such a reason. Its understated silhouette and stunning fabric selections leave this headboard feeling refined yet approachable.

The modern, wall-mounted headboard is hand-forged to last from solid and engineered wood. Polyester adds a layer of sumptuous cushion to the panel, then is upholstered neatly in your choice of 14 beautiful fabrics. Airy neutral tones like white linen, pumice, and Milano elephant create a crisp, modern look fitting a contemporary bedroom; Oxblood, navy, and Zuma caviar offer a sophisticated appeal for a traditional primary suite.

It’s available in twin, full, queen, king, or California king sizes and features adjustable width, making it the best headboard to cater to all room sizes.

Price at time of publish: $377

Product Details: Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King | Assembly Required: Partial | Materials: Solid wood, manufactured wood, polyester fill, and polyester upholstery