What does it mean when someone asks me how much wider should a headboard be than the bed? It used to mean that I didn’t know and I was wrong. Now I have three kids and I have to make sure I get the right headboard for them. First off you need to remember that you are dealing with an adult, so the actual size of the headboard is probably going to be a lot bigger than you would traditionally think.
You are also going to find that there are many different kinds of headboards available for sale. When I say different kinds of headboards, I am referring to the styles as opposed to the actual types of wood. If you go into a bedroom shop you will find several options. You can choose from leather, cloth, metal or even wood.
When I first decided to go with a headboard for my daughter’s room, I made the mistake of taking her furniture description book with me. Needless to say this did not help me much and I was still left asking the same question “How much wider should a headboard be?” Luckily, I discovered the answer on my own. The width of a headboard is based on the “rule of thirds”. This is the distance that a chair or table looks from all the edges, and obviously this space varies from room to room.
If you look at standard headboards the distance from side to side is about forty-five degrees. Most people like to fit their headboards at least this far apart, but you can get away with a little bit closer if you want. It doesn’t really matter as long as you don’t end up with something that looks too close together. If you take a look at furniture stores or online, you should be able to find headboards that are closer in shape. Just make sure that you are not compromising elsewhere.
The next factor that you need to consider is the thickness of the headboard. There are different thicknesses available and I would suggest that you match your existing headboard to the one that you are about to buy. Thickness is again dependent upon the “rule of thirds”. So if you have a sofa with a rounded edge to it, then you would do well with a slightly thicker headboard. On the other hand, if your sofa is sharp edged, then you would be best off with a very thin headboard.
So these are some of the things that you need to know when looking at options when you are wondering “how much wider should a headboard be?” Hopefully these tips will help you make up your mind. Headboards aren’t just for bed any more! Have you thought about what sort of statement you could make by buying one?