01Standard UK bed widths
A headboard usually matches the width of the bed, or runs a little wider so it frames it. These are the standard UK mattress widths to measure from.
| Bed size | Mattress width |
|---|
| Single | 90 cm (3 ft) |
|---|
| Small double | 120 cm (4 ft) |
|---|
| Double | 135 cm (4 ft 6 in) |
|---|
| King | 150 cm (5 ft) |
|---|
| Super king | 180 cm (6 ft) |
|---|
02Styles to think about
- Plain and padded, for a clean modern look
- Panelled or fluted, with vertical channels
- Buttoned or deep buttoned, for a traditional, tailored finish
- Winged, curving forward at the sides
- Floor-standing on struts, or hung on the wall above the bed
03Getting the height right
Measure from the floor to the top of the mattress, then decide how much headboard you want to see above it. A taller headboard makes a bigger statement and is more comfortable to sit up against; a lower one suits sloping ceilings and windows behind the bed.