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Most divan beds can take a new headboard, and it's the cheapest way to change how a bedroom looks. What you need to check is how the headboard mounts, whether its width matches the bed exactly, and how much space sits behind the base.
What kinds of headboard fit a divan?
UK headboards mount in two main ways.
| Strutted | Floor-standing | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's supported | Two struts bolt to holes in the back of the divan base | Full-height legs stand on the floor behind the base |
| Needs bolt holes in the base | Yes | No |
| Height adjustable | Usually, along the strut | Fixed |
| Space behind the bed | Almost none | A few centimetres for the legs and panel |
All Legend Beds headboards are floor-standing. Their legs take the weight to the floor, and product pages such as the Cambridge Wingback describe them as needing no wall fixings, so they suit rented homes where you can't drill.
The Seville Chesterfield floor-standing headboard.
How do I know which size headboard to buy?
Match the size name of the bed: a king headboard for a king base, a double for a double. A headboard in the wrong size overhangs or leaves the base edges showing. Widths for Legend Beds headboards follow the mattress widths: 90cm single, 120cm small double, 135cm double, 150cm king, 180cm super king. Wingback designs add depth beyond that width, so allow a little clearance either side.
Can I add a headboard to an ottoman bed?
To a divan-style ottoman base, usually yes, as long as the headboard doesn't stop the platform opening. With an end-lift base, the hinge sits at the headboard end, so check the headboard stands clear of the platform's arc. An ottoman bed frame with a built-in headboard can't usually take a second one.
Can I add a headboard to a bed without one?
A floor-standing headboard doesn't need fixing points, so it can stand behind many bases of matching width. If your bed has a frame with side rails, check the headboard's legs and panel sit flush behind it rather than colliding with the frame.
Does a floor-standing headboard wobble?
Pushed against the wall with the bed in front, it's held in place from both sides. If you notice movement, check the floor is level and the legs are fully tightened. Placing the bed tight to the headboard is what keeps everything steady.
Choosing the style
A new headboard is a low-risk way to try a style. Wingbacks such as the Paris or Luxor enclose the pillows; the Seville Chesterfield adds deep buttoning; plainer designs such as the Oslo keep things simple. See headboard styles explained, and check the wall behind first with what height headboard do I need?
The plain Oslo floor-standing headboard.
Frequently asked questions
Do all divan beds take a headboard?
Most do. A strutted headboard needs bolt holes in the base; a floor-standing one doesn't, so it suits bases without them.
Will a king headboard fit a double bed?
No. It's 15cm wider and will overhang by about 7.5cm each side. Buy the same size as the bed.
Does a floor-standing headboard need to be screwed to the wall?
No. Legend Beds floor-standing headboards stand on their own legs and are held in place by the wall behind and the bed in front.
Can I use a headboard with a bed on castors?
Yes, but a bed on castors can roll away from a floor-standing headboard. Castor cups or glides stop the base moving.
How much space does a floor-standing headboard add?
A few centimetres behind the base for the legs and panel. Wingback designs also add depth at the sides.
