How to Pick Out the Perfect Bed and Headboard for Your Bedroom

Picking Out the Right Headboard Is Important…

There are many things to consider before buying your bed and headboard.  Size is probably the easiest part. You also need to think about what you do in your bed…what your style is, and working with the furniture you already own. If you are starting from scratch and do not have furniture for your bedroom… choosing your headboard is a great first step!

I partnered with eBay to share some tips and tricks to help you pick out the perfect headboard! Did you know that 80% of the pieces sold on eBay are BRAND NEW. Yes, N-E-W. And, in many cases you can also get free shipping. All you have to do is …narrow your search by checking the “New” circle under “Condition” and the “Free Shipping” Circle. I talk more about ebay in this post about activewear.

Keep scrolling to read my tips as well as see my headboard picks!

white golden retriever lying on the bench at the foot of the king bed with a linen and solid wood headboard in a modern mountain home

king headboard mixing wood and linen n modern home with painting of aspen trees, mountain modern home

Size & Shape

You are most likely certain about what size bed you are going to get, i.e. king, queen, full, etc. But, what about the size and shape of the headboard? Is the headboard going to be the focal point of your bedroom like it is in mine? Do you want your headboard to be a traditional shape, or something a little different? My headboard has a dip in the middle shaped like a ‘U’…it gives the bed a unique and modern look.  If you are tall, you may prefer a headboard that is taller, and a bed that is higher off the ground. For those that have knee or joint issues, you may want a bed that is closer to the ground.  If you need extra storage, you might want a bed with drawers built in. I wish my bed had drawers! You may even want to consider a trundle bed. We have 2 trundles under our bunk beds in the kids’ room. It gives us a LOT of flexibility when it comes to entertaining and hosting guests.

*Don’t forget to measure and make sure you still have enough room for bedside tables!

blond woman sitting on bench at foot of king bed with headboard make out of linen and wood, bedding is white and the home is mountain modern

King Headboard mixing linen with solid wood in a modern home with family and dog on bed

white golden retriever lying on the bench at the foot of the king bed with a linen and solid wood headboard in a modern mountain home

Budget

Setting a budget is a great initial step, and will quickly narrow your search. Before you determine your exact budget, just remember the headboard is likely a focal point in your bedroom… so you want to make sure you buy something that is high quality. When ordering online from a store like eBay, I would choose brands you already know and love so you can feel more confident about your purchase. My go-to brands for home decor are: Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn… and in our new, modern, mountain home, West Elm.

Restoration Hardware is very expensive, but you can find some great deals on eBay!

King Headboard mixing linen with solid wood in a modern home blond woman reading magazine on bed

King Headboard mixing linen with solid wood in a modern home with blond woman lying down on the bed with white bedding

blond woman sitting on bench at foot of king bed with her white golden retriever. the headboard make out of linen and wood, bedding is white and the home is mountain modern

What Do You Do In Your Bed?

We all use our beds to sleep, that’s a given, but what else do you use your bed for?? Maybe you snuggle with your family and dog like we do? Or perhaps you read a lot, or watch TV from your comfy bed?? If that’s the case, you may want an upholstered headboard or one like mine that is a linen and wood combination… so it’s soft to lean against. If you eat a lot in bed and/or are worried about stains, you might want to consider a leather headboard.

King Headboard mixing linen with solid wood in a modern home with blond woman lying down on the bed with white bedding

blond woman in pink J.Crew gingham pajamas sitting on edge of white king bed

blond woman jumping up on her bed wearing pink gingham pajamas. The bedding is white and the king headboard is made out of linen and wood

Yay! The Fun Part…  Design

How do you want your room to look? What style? Modern, rustic, classic, feminine? Maybe a mix of styles… If you are not sure, you can always browse magazines and Pinterest for home inspiration. Even if you are pretty sure, I would still look online for inspiration, and create a mood board or Pinterest board for your space. You might want to start with one key piece that inspires you and build the rest of your room around that piece. A headboard is a great place to start!

As I mentioned above, upholstered headboards are popular because they are soft to lean against. Leather is easier to clean and more durable. Taller headboards create instant drama. Tufting and nailhead detailing can add some depth and dimension to your space.

blond woman stretching in pink J.Crew gingham pajamas sitting in white king bed

My Picks

I wanted to share some of my eBay find with you all! There are some gorgeous pieces for sure! I tailored my search around items that are new or almost new and headboards you can buy now. I also looked for brands I already know and love.

What brands do YOU love? Please share in the comments below…

Other Posts

You might also like my post about home organization here. And, some living room decor inspiration here

HUGE thank you to eBay for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Don’t forget to subscribe to my exclusive newsletter.
Thank you SO much for stopping by!

 

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  1. Diane Williams says:

    Where did you get the pillows on the bed?

    • Erin Busbee says:

      I think they are custom. They were here when we bought the house. No tags or anything. 🙁 Erin xo

  2. Maritza Defidelto says:

    Lovely post Erin! Can you please let me know where you purchased the two pieces (ottomans?) at the end of the bed? Everything looks terrific in your new home!!

    • Erin Busbee says:

      Hi Martiza… is this Maritza from Telluride? We bought the house furnished so I’m still trying to track down where everything is from. I’ll keep you posted! Erin xo

  3. Kristin says:

    Love your choices! Where did u get ur pillows and benches? The fabric is beautiful!!

    • Erin Busbee says:

      Hi Kristin! We bought the house furnished so I’m still trying to track down where everything is from. I’ll keep you posted! Erin xo

  4. Paula says:

    Did I miss the link for the pink gingham pj’s?

  5. Lynn O’Brien says:

    Thanks for this post! I want to get a headboard. I think I had a white wicker one when I was in grad school 30 years ago, but not since then. Are they easy to attach to your bed frame? I recently got a new bed and it is really a little too high for me. I am 5’4” and have had both hips replaced and a spinal fusion so, I really have no business climbing up on/into a high bed. I may looking into getting a platform bed with a headboard.

    • Erin Busbee says:

      I don’t think I would say easy. I would definitely have my husband do it or a handy friend… especially if you have mobility issues.

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