How to fit a headboard to a bed – Headboard fitting instructions

Fitting a new or existing headboard to your bed is a relatively simple task. In most cases, headboards are fixed to the bed with bolts that screw into the divan base before passing through struts, holes or slots on the headboard. The bolts themselves are provided with the bed (not the headboard) and are designed to be tightened by hand or screwdriver. There are however a few points you need to be aware of if you want to know how to fit a headboard to a bed.

In most cases, headboards are fixed to the bed with bolts that screw into the divan base before passing through struts, holes or slots on the headboard. The bolts themselves are provided with the bed (not the headboard) and are designed to be tightened by hand or screwdriver.

how to fit a headboard to a bed – The headboard types

There are three main types of headboard, two of which fit in a similar fashion to above and one which needs competent DIY skills.

Strutted Headboards

The first and most traditional type of headboard uses struts. This type of headboard attaches to the bed via two or more struts that extend downwards from the headboard. Generally, they do not touch the floor. As mentioned above, the headboard attached to the bed by means of headboard bolts. These Bolts pass through the slot on the headboard before being screwed into fittings in the bed. When you first purchase this type of headboard there is a good chance that the headboard struts aren’t attached to the headboard. If this is the case, you simply need to attach them with either the screws or bolts provided before attempting to fix the headboard to the bed. Here are the steps on how to fit a headboard to a bed (strutted).

Strutted headboard steps:

1. Remove the packaging from the headboard
2. Find the small screws or bolts that fit the strut (the metal or wood fitting) to the headboard
3. Find the fittings which the screws/bolts screw into. If fitting a fabric headboard you may have to find the fixing points by feeling for indentations under the fabric.
4. Align the holes in the strut with the holes in the headboard.
5. Screw the bolts or screws through the strut holes into the headboard.
6. Find the fixing points in the bed. If you can’t see them, feel for them under the fabric. New beds usually have stickers indicating the location of the fixing points.
7. If the slot in the strut is open at one end – screw the headboard bolts (these come with the bed) into the bed fixing points first.
   1. Now slide the strut onto the bolt with the head of the bolt and the bed sandwiching the strut.
   2. Adjust the height of the headboard to where you want it and make sure it is level
   3. tighten the bolts. It may be easier to set the height on one side and tighten, then repeat on the other side.do this one side at a time
8. If the slots do not run to the end of the strut – screw the bolts through the slots and into the bed at the same time.
   1. Adjust the height of the headboard
   2. Make sure the headboard is level
   3. tighten the bolts

Floor Standing headboards

The second type of headboard is the floor standing headboard. These types of headboard sit directly on the floor. Headboard bolts that pass through the slots into headboard into the bed. The only difference is that the slots the bolts pass through are in the actual headboard and not on struts that extend from the headboard. Here are the steps on how to fit a headboard to a bed (floor standing)

Floor standing headboard steps:

1. Find the fixing points in the bed. If you can’t locate them, feel for them through the fabric. New beds may have stickers that indicate the location of the fixing points.
2. Screw the bolts through the slots on the headboard and into the bed.
3. Tighten the bolts.

Wall mounted headboards

The final type of headboard is the wall-mounted variety. This type of headboard fixes to your wall rather than your bed by means of wall fixings. Wall mounted headboards can be a little more difficult to install than other headboards. Therefore it is best left to either those with competent DIY skills or professionals. Unfortunately, we can’t provide too much information on wall mounted headboards as each can be different.

Headboard Bolts

If you find that your headboard bolts are missing (they usually come with the bed) mention it to one of our bed experts when purchasing your next bed. On many occasions, we can help out with this.

It is worth noting that there are currently two types of thread on these bolts imperial and metric. Therefore if the bolts you are using didn’t come with the bed and you are getting resistance when trying to screw in the bolts there is a good chance they have the wrong thread for the bed.

If you need any further advice on how to fit a headboard to a bed or you would like information on other beds, mattresses or bedframes, you can call us on 01254 681082 where one of our bed gurus will be happy to help.