Headboards for Sale: Types, Sizes and Buying Tips
Shopping for headboards for sale is about more than looks. The right headboard anchors the whole bedroom, gives you something solid to lean against when you read or watch TV, and protects the wall behind your bed from scuffs and marks.
A well-made upholstered headboard also changes how a room feels. It adds warmth, softens the hard lines of a bed frame, and turns a plain sleeping space into a proper focal point. For many South African homes, it is the single change that makes a bedroom look finished.
This guide covers the main headboard styles, the bed sizes you need to know before you order, the things worth checking before you buy, and the custom-made headboards for sale at Good Knight Bedding.
Table of Contents
What Is a Headboard and Why It Matters
A headboard is the upright panel fixed at the head of the bed. It started life as a practical item, a barrier between the sleeper and a cold wall, and it still does that job. A padded headboard keeps draughts off your pillows and stops the wall behind the bed from getting grubby over time.
These days the comfort and styling matter just as much. A tall, well-padded board gives proper back support when you sit up in bed, and it sets the tone for the rest of the room. Get the fabric and colour right and everything else, from the linen to the curtains, falls into place around it.
Most of the headboards in this guide are upholstered and made to order, so the size, colour, and fabric are chosen to suit your room rather than picked off a shelf. That is the main reason a custom headboard tends to outlast and outshine a flat-pack one.
Types of Headboards for Sale
Not every headboard suits every room. The style you choose changes the height, the shape, and the overall mood, so it helps to know the main families before you decide.
Wingback Headboards
Wingback headboards have raised side panels, or wings, that frame the bed and give it a grand, hotel-suite feel. They are usually the tallest option and work well in larger main bedrooms with high ceilings.
The Jade is a good example. It is a fully upholstered wingback that stands 1.7 metres high, finished in velvet with a button detail, and it remains one of the most popular shapes for adults who want something elegant and timeless.
Buttoned and Studded Headboards
Button detailing, sometimes called diamond tufting, adds depth and a classic look. Studs along the edges lift the same shape into something a little more decorative.
The Tiana shows how a small detail changes the feel. It is a 1.45 metre velvet headboard with a double row of silver studs running down the wings, which gives a softer, slightly more glamorous result than a plain panel.
Panel and Block Headboards
Panel headboards use clean upholstered sections for a calmer, more modern look. Block designs take individual padded squares and rectangles and mount them to a frame for a layered, textured finish.
The Mia is a 1.45 metre velvet panel headboard built from individually upholstered blocks in mixed sizes. It is popular with teenagers and adults alike because the design feels current without being fussy.
Bedroom Suites: Headboard Plus Base
If you want a co-ordinated look, a bedroom suite pairs the headboard with a matching upholstered base. The Bella suite stands 1.7 metres high in velvet, with a button design carried through to a matching foot end on the base.
Buying the headboard and base together saves the guesswork of matching fabrics later. Pedestals are sold separately, so you can add them in the same colour when it suits your budget.
Good Knight Bedding Headboards at a Glance
Every headboard in the Good Knight Bedding range is custom made, which means you choose the size, the fabric, and the colour rather than settling for a fixed option. There are over 40 colour and fabric choices in store, with samples on hand so you can see the finish before you commit.
Standalone headboards come in Single, Three Quarter, Double, Queen, and King to match standard South African bed sizes. Because each piece is made to order, delivery is within 14 working days. On most designs the base and pedestals are sold separately, so you can build the look in stages.
- Jade Headboard: fully upholstered wingback, 1.7 m high, velvet with button detail. From R2,069.10.
- Tiana Headboard: padded velvet headboard, 1.45 m high, double row of silver studs. From R2,699.10.
- Mia Headboard: velvet panel headboard, 1.45 m high, individually upholstered blocks. From R3,059.10.
- Bella Bedroom Suite: 1.7 m velvet headboard with a matching buttoned base. From R1,999.
Prices shown are starting prices and vary with the size and fabric you choose. You can see the full range of headboards for sale, including the Emilia, Jasmine, Ariana, Sophia, and Lily designs, on the bedroom furniture category page.
What to Look For Before Buying
A headboard is a long-term buy, so a few minutes of checking now saves disappointment later. These are the points that matter most.
Size and Fit
Match the headboard size to your mattress. A Queen headboard suits a Queen bed, and so on. Order the wrong size and the board either floats with gaps at the sides or overhangs the base, so confirm your bed size first.
Height
Height sets the drama. A 1.7 metre wingback like the Jade makes a bold statement in a roomy main bedroom, while a 1.45 metre design like the Tiana or Mia feels balanced in smaller or lower-ceilinged rooms. Picture the top of the board against your wall before you decide.
Fabric and Colour
Velvet is the signature finish across the range because it is soft, hard-wearing, and catches the light well. With more than 40 colours and fabrics to choose from, you can go bold with emerald or sapphire, or keep it neutral in light or dark grey. Ask for a sample so the colour reads true in your own light.
Base and Pedestals
Decide early whether you want the headboard on its own or as part of a set. Standalone headboards do not include a base, and pedestals are an optional extra. A bedroom suite like the Bella bundles the matching base, which is the easier route if you want everything to tie together.
Delivery and Lead Time
Because the headboards are custom made, allow 14 working days for production and delivery. Delivery is free on orders over R8000, so pairing a headboard with a base or mattress can bring your order into that bracket.
Headboard Sizes in South Africa
Headboards are sized to standard South African mattress widths. As a rule, the headboard width matches the mattress width, so picking the board is as simple as knowing your bed size.
| Bed size | Approx. mattress width | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 92 cm | Children, students, single sleepers |
| Three Quarter | 107 cm | Teens, guest rooms, solo sleepers wanting more space |
| Double | 137 cm | Couples in compact rooms |
| Queen | 152 cm | Couples wanting extra room, most popular size |
| King | 183 cm | Couples wanting maximum space |
If you are unsure which size you have, measure the width of your mattress and compare it to the chart, or check the full breakdown on our bed sizes page before you order.
Where a New Headboard Makes the Biggest Difference
A headboard earns its keep in almost any bedroom, but a few situations show the value clearly.
In a main bedroom, a tall wingback turns the bed into a centrepiece and lifts the whole room without a full renovation. In a teen’s room, a textured block design like the Mia adds personality and copes well with everyday use.
Guest rooms benefit too. A neutral upholstered headboard makes a spare room feel considered rather than an afterthought. For guesthouses and rentals, a matching suite gives every room a consistent, polished look that photographs well for listings.
Headboard Comparison
| Headboard | Height | Style | From price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jade | 1.7 m | Buttoned wingback | R2,069.10 |
| Tiana | 1.45 m | Studded velvet | R2,699.10 |
| Mia | 1.45 m | Block panel | R3,059.10 |
| Bella Suite | 1.7 m | Buttoned suite with base | R1,999 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do headboards cost at Good Knight Bedding?
Standalone headboards start at around R2,069.10, and a bedroom suite that includes a matching base starts at R1,999. The final price depends on the size and fabric you choose.
Are the headboards custom made?
Yes. Each headboard is made to order with over 40 colour and fabric options, and it is delivered within 14 working days.
What sizes do the headboards come in?
Headboards are available in Single, Three Quarter, Double, Queen, and King to match standard South African bed sizes.
Does a headboard include a base and pedestals?
Standalone headboards do not. The base and pedestals are sold separately. A bedroom suite includes a matching base, with pedestals available as an add-on.
How tall are the headboards?
Most designs stand between 1.45 metres and 1.7 metres high, depending on the style you pick.
Do you deliver across South Africa?
Yes. Delivery is available nationally, and it is free on orders over R8000.
How do I choose the right headboard width?
Match the headboard to your mattress width, from about 92 cm for a Single up to 183 cm for a King. When in doubt, measure your mattress and compare it to our bed sizes chart.
Key Takeaways
- A headboard adds comfort, protects your wall, and sets the style of the whole bedroom.
- The main styles are wingback, buttoned or studded, panel or block, and full bedroom suites.
- Good Knight Bedding headboards are custom made with 40+ colour and fabric options.
- Sizes run from Single to King and should match your mattress width.
- Heights range from about 1.45 m to 1.7 m, so match the scale to your room.
- Standalone headboards exclude the base and pedestals; suites include a matching base.
- Allow 14 working days for production, with free delivery on orders over R8000.
