Best Mattress Topper Single: 7 UK Options Compared
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The right double bed headboard should match a standard UK double mattress, suit the way you use the bed and attach securely to your frame or divan. A standard UK double mattress measures 135 × 190 cm, or 4 ft 6 in × 6 ft 3 in, so a headboard for a double bed is normally chosen for a 135 cm-wide bed. However, the finished headboard or frame can be wider than the mattress.
For sitting up to read, a padded upholstered design is the most practical choice because it provides cushioning and a backrest. Wooden headboards suit a natural or minimalist bedroom, while a wall-mounted design can work when you do not want the headboard fixed to the bed itself. Check the attachment method before comparing colour or price.
Argos’s UK bed size guide confirms the standard double mattress dimensions. The width guidance for headboards is also consistent with Headboards UK’s headboard and bed-size information.
These seven picks cover low-cost, padded, buttoned, linen-look and velvet-style options. The prices below are retailer-listed prices, and the final choice should depend on your bed’s fixing points as well as appearance. Argos lists 86 products in its double-headboard category, including the models shown here.
| Pick | Best for | Listed price | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argos Home Devon Fabric Double Headboard | Lowest-cost pick | £90 | Straight-lined, structured design; it is described as requiring no complicated fittings. |
| Silentnight Milan Double Headboard | Simple upholstered style | £119 | A lower-priced fabric option for shoppers who want a straightforward double headboard. |
| Argos Home Dalham Fabric Double Headboard | Button detailing | £130 | Soft cushioning and button detailing give it a more traditional upholstered appearance. |
| Habitat Onda Linen Double Headboard | Back support and curved styling | £140 | Soft padding and curved edges are designed to provide a backrest; colours include natural, sage and white, beige and white, plum and white, and rust. |
| Argos Home Elmdon Fabric Double Headboard | Choice of neutral finishes | £140 | Available in grey and natural, making it easy to compare two restrained colour directions. |
| Silentnight Llubi Double Headboard | Mid-range fabric choice | £149 | A useful step up from the lowest-priced options without moving into the higher listed prices. |
| Silentnight Merlin Fabric Double Headboard | More substantial upholstered look | £205 | A higher-priced fabric option for shoppers who want to spend more on the headboard itself. |
For a cheap double headboard, the Devon is the clearest starting point at £90. If the backrest matters most, the Onda has the most specific supported backrest description among these picks. For a traditional look, the Dalham’s cushioning and button detailing are the relevant features. The prices and named options above are listed in Argos’s double-headboard category.
Choose a headboard intended for a 135 cm-wide UK double bed. The mattress itself is 135 × 190 cm, but do not assume that a headboard measuring exactly 135 cm will be the finished width of every design: bed frames, headboards and footboards can vary by manufacturer.
A useful example of why dimensions matter is IKEA’s BRIMNES headboard for a standard double, which measures 141 × 11 × 28 cm. IKEA’s NORDLI is a different type: it is wall-mounted, fits mattress widths from 135 to 160 cm and measures 240 × 84 × 4 cm. Both dimensions are given in IKEA’s bed buying guide.
There is no universal headboard that can be assumed to fit every UK bed frame, divan and IKEA frame. Match the headboard’s attachment system to the bed before buying.
| Fitting type | What to check | Most suitable situation |
|---|---|---|
| Strutted | Whether the struts align with the frame or divan fixing points, plus the available height behind the mattress. | A standard frame or divan with compatible fixing points. |
| Bolt-on | The position and spacing of the holes on both the headboard and bed. | A bed frame designed to accept a headboard directly. |
| Wall-mounted | Wall suitability, secure installation and the final position relative to the mattress. | A room where the headboard should not rely on the bed frame. |
| Freestanding | Whether it can stand securely without being fixed to the frame or wall. | A layout where the bed may move, provided the design remains stable. |
Divan beds need particular care because they do not have the same visible frame legs and structure as traditional bed frames. Bed Innovation’s UK headboard guide separates wall-mounted designs from headboards that attach to a bed frame and highlights divan compatibility as a common fitting issue. If the product page does not clearly show the fixing method, ask the retailer before ordering.
Upholstered headboards are the strongest choice when you want a cushioned backrest for reading or sitting in bed. The Devon, Dalham and Onda illustrate three different upholstered directions: structured, buttoned and curved.
Choose a wooden headboard when the main aim is a natural or minimalist appearance. For searches such as “double bed headboard wooden” or “wooden headboard for divan bed”, the key checks remain the same: confirm the double size, then confirm whether the wooden design is strutted, bolt-on, freestanding or wall-mounted.
Metal headboards can also be considered where the appearance is more important than a padded backrest. Do not compare a metal design with an upholstered one on looks alone: check whether it provides the support you want and whether its attachment points match the bed. A headboard cover can change the appearance of an existing design, but it does not solve an incompatible fixing system.
If you do not want a conventional headboard, use a wall-mounted headboard, a feature wall or no headboard. IKEA’s NORDLI is a clear wall-mounted example, so it is an alternative to a design attached directly to the bed frame.
The most useful 2026 trend for a buyer is the oversized or extended headboard, which can continue beyond the mattress towards the bedside tables. Ideal Home’s 2026 coverage of oversized headboards identifies this as a major direction. Measure the wall first: a wider design needs enough space around the bed and should not obstruct furniture or access.
Curved and sculptural shapes, neutral upholstery and feature-wall styling are also identified in current UK trend coverage. Treat those ideas as a styling choice, not a reason to ignore the practical checks: the headboard still needs to suit the 135 cm double mattress and the chosen installation method.
For sitting up in bed, a padded upholstered headboard is the best-supported choice because it provides cushioning and a backrest. For a natural or minimalist bedroom, choose a suitable wooden design. A wall-mounted headboard can be better when you do not want the headboard attached to the frame. In every case, match the size to the bed and check the fixing method.
No. Compatibility depends on the headboard’s attachment system, the frame’s fixing points and the size of the bed. Divans require particular attention because their structure differs from a traditional frame. Wall-mounted headboards are a separate category and do not depend on the bed’s fixing points.
You can use a wall-mounted headboard, a feature wall or no headboard. IKEA’s NORDLI is a wall-mounted example. A platform-style bed can also be used without a headboard if you prefer a minimalist arrangement.
Oversized or extended headboards are a major 2026 direction, often reaching beyond the mattress towards bedside tables. Current styling also includes sculptural shapes, curved forms, neutral upholstered designs and feature-wall treatments. Select the trend that fits the room, then confirm the width, depth and installation requirements.
