Most single and double antique boards have vertical legs extending down to the floor. You just stand them against the wall and push the modern bed base up against them. If the frame feels loose, you can screw simple wooden battens or metal plates to the uprights and bolt them directly to your modern divan.

I have an old iron headboard that looks a bit rusty and flaky, is it safe to clean the old paint off myself?

It is best to proceed with caution on older painted metal. Much of the original paint used on Victorian ironwork contains lead. Dry sanding throws this toxic dust into the air. If you want to strip it back to bare metal, use a chemical paint stripper and work outside. Many buyers prefer to just seal the flaky surface with a clear wax to retain the aged look.

Will it fit modern mattresses?

Standard sizes have changed over the last century. An old double is often slightly narrower than a modern equivalent. You can usually pair a period headboard with a smaller modern mattress without any issues.

My wooden one has quite a severe lean when I push against it, how can I stop it banging the wall when reading?

This usually happens because the lower legs have shrunk or the original brackets are gone. You can easily fix this by attaching a thick piece of felt to the top back edge of the cresting rail. This cushions the impact against your plasterwork. Alternatively, securing the legs firmly to the wall with small brass mirror plates will stop the movement altogether.

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Antique Headboards

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Designed to shield sleepers from cold draughts and separate the bed from the wall, antique headboards range from simple carved timber panels to complex upholstered frameworks.