Headboard, Bed Frame or Complete Bed? What a Furniture Listing Includes

Shopping for a bed online raises a question that a showroom answers at a glance: what exactly arrives? A product photo usually shows a fully dressed bed — headboard, frame, mattress, linen and cushions — but the listing may be for only one of those parts. This guide explains the terms, shows how to read a listing, and lists what to confirm before you order.

The Parts of a Bed, Explained

• Headboard — the upright panel at the head of the bed. It frames the bed visually and gives you something to lean against when sitting up. A headboard on its own does not hold a mattress.
• Bed frame — the structure the mattress (or mattress and base) rests on. Many upholstered bed frames include a matching headboard as part of the design.
• Base — in South Africa, “base” usually means the box-style divan that sits under a mattress. Mattresses are often sold together with a base as a “base set”.
• Mattress — the sleeping surface itself, usually sold separately from frames and headboards unless a listing says otherwise.
• Footboard — an optional panel at the foot of the bed, found on some frame designs.

Three Things a Bed Listing Can Mean

A headboard only

Headboards are a popular way to update a bedroom without replacing a base and mattress you already like. Our Headboards collection includes designs such as the Hypnos Alexandra Square Panel Upholstered Headboard and the Hypnos Winged Euro Wide Katherine Tall Headboard. Because a headboard has to line up with the bed it’s paired with, these listings ask you to confirm sizing against your bed before ordering.

A bed frame with an integrated headboard

Some pieces are complete bed frames where the headboard is part of the design, such as the Italian Designer Ornate Button Upholstered Bed With Tall Headboard. Several beds in our Bed collection, including the Luxury Bed – Essential, offer a choice of Double, Queen or King when you select options on the product page.

A frame designed for your own mattress

Where a listing is for a frame without a mattress, it may say so directly — for example, the Luxury Ambient Bed (without mattress) Queen is designed to be finished with your own mattress choice. If a listing doesn’t clearly state whether a mattress or base is included, don’t assume it is: ask before you order.

How to Read a Listing Before You Buy

1. Read the title. Words like “headboard”, “bed”, “frame”, a size (Double, Queen, King) or “without mattress” tell you a lot.
2. Check the category. A piece listed only under Headboards is a headboard. The Bed collection is made up mainly of bed frames, and some of them also appear under Headboards because the headboard is a key part of the design.
3. Look at the options. If size is a selectable option, choose the one that matches your mattress.
4. Read the description. It may mention fit, sizing or what the frame is designed to hold.
5. Remember photos are styled. Linen, cushions, side tables and lamps in a photo are there to show the piece in a room, not to show what’s included.
6. Ask when in doubt. A quick WhatsApp message with the product link is the easiest way to confirm exactly what you’ll receive.

Matching a Headboard to Your Bed

South African mattresses are commonly sold as single, three-quarter, double, queen and king, but exact dimensions vary between manufacturers. Rather than relying on the size name alone:

• Measure the width of your base or frame and the mattress on top of it. Share these measurements when confirming a headboard.
• Measure the wall. Wider and winged designs, such as Euro-wide headboards, take up more wall space and can affect where bedside tables go.
• Think about height. Note the height of your mattress and base, and anything on the wall behind the bed — windows, plug points, light switches or wall lights — that a tall headboard might cover.
• Ask how it fits. Headboards can be fixed in different ways depending on the design. Confirm how the one you like is fitted and whether it suits your existing base.

Headboard Only or a Full Bed Frame?

A headboard alone can make sense if your base and mattress are in good condition and you mainly want a new look. A full bed frame can make sense if you’re furnishing a new bedroom, changing bed size, or want the headboard and frame to match. Either way, measure first — and if you’re also planning storage at the foot of the bed, see our guide to choosing an ottoman, storage bench or pouffe.

Customising a Headboard or Bed

For selected pieces, colour, fabric and size can be discussed before ordering through our Furniture Customisation service. Send the product link, your measurements and your preferred colour or fabric, and our team will confirm what’s possible and the pricing before anything proceeds.

Bed and Headboard Checklist

• I know whether the listing is a headboard only, a bed frame, or a frame with an integrated headboard.
• I have confirmed whether a mattress or base is included — and not assumed it from the photos.
• I have selected the correct size option, where one is offered.
• I have measured my base, mattress and the wall behind the bed.
• I have checked for windows, plug points or switches a tall headboard could cover.
• I have asked how the headboard is fitted and whether it suits my base.
• I have measured doors, passages and stairs for delivery.

Delivery and Warranty

Nationwide delivery is R500. Gauteng orders above R10,000 qualify for free delivery; Gauteng orders of R10,000 or less, and all orders outside Gauteng, are charged R500. Your furniture is covered by our 6-Month Quality Warranty against qualifying manufacturing defects — see the Delivery & Quality Warranty page for full terms, or check the Furniture Delivery Areas page for your city.

Not Sure What a Listing Includes?

Send the product link and your bed measurements on WhatsApp (066 087 0705) and we’ll confirm exactly what’s included and whether it will fit. Or browse our headboards and beds.