Bed Basics: How Do Bedheads & Bed Bases Work?

Your bed is the focal point of the bedroom and it sets the tone for everything around it, starting with your bed frame and base. Whether you opt for light coastal timber, a moody walnut base or a soft fabric headboard, each bed frame, bedhead and bed base can instantly change how the room feels the moment you walk in. But it's common to wonder whether these need to be bought together, separately or whether one already includes the others. This guide breaks down how each one works, how they connect and how to know exactly what your bedroom setup needs! 

 

Quick-Start Checklist 

 

• Bed frame: The structure holding your mattress off the floor. Typically, a bed base plus an optional headboard. 
• Bedhead: The headboard piece which can be freestanding, wall-mounted, or attached to the bed frame. 
• Bed base: The flat platform your mattress sits on which can be sold on its own or built into a bed frame.

What Is a Bed Frame?

A bed frame is the structural base that supports your mattress and keeps it off the floor whether it sits high or low, to give your bed its shape and style. Most bed frames are built from a platform or base, typically with side rails running along the length of the bed keeping the mattress in place and slats across the width for even support. Some bed frames also include an optional headboard or footboard built into the design, while others are designed to be paired with a separate bedhead. 

Bed frames come in a range of materials from warm timber to upholstered fabric and sleek metal, each suited to a different bedroom style. In most New Zealand bedrooms, the bed frame anchors the whole look, holding the rest of your sleep sanctuary styling together. 

It's worth knowing the difference between a bed frame and a bed base, since the terms are often used interchangeably. A bed base is just the flat platform under the mattress, while a bed frame usually includes that base plus the surrounding structure including side rails and sometimes a headboard.

What Is a Bedhead? 

A bedhead is the upright panel that sits at the top of the bed and is right where your head rests when you're propped up against it. In any bedroom the bedhead typically serves three real purposes: 

• Style: It is the true focal point of any bedroom room and instantly draws the eye. 
• Comfort: It gives you something to lean back against while you wind down. 
• Practicality: It protects the wall behind your bed from marks and scuffs. 

 

A bedhead can be bought as part of a full bed frame or as a standalone piece to pair with a frame or base you already own. Materials and styles can also vary widely to suit your style. While an upholstered bedhead brings a soft hotel-like finish, timber options lean classic and rattan adds texture and warmth for a relaxed feel. 

Working out which bedhead style suits your room is one of the bigger decisions and it's covered in full in Mocka's bed frame buying guide. What matters here is understanding how a bedhead actually works and connects to your bed, since that's where most of the confusion sits. 

 

How Does a Bedhead Work? 

The Three Ways Bedheads Attach 

Bedheads generally attach in one of three ways. The first is an integrated bedhead which is built to fit directly into the bed frame as one piece, so there's nothing extra to install. Another option is a freestanding bedhead which stands on its own against the wall and is independent of the bed frame or base entirely, rather than bolting to anything. Finally, a frame-mounted bedhead bolts directly onto the head end of an existing bed frame, using pre-drilled holes designed to match. Which bedhead type suits you depends on what bed frame you have and what you're planning to buy. 

If you're keeping your current frame and just want to add a headboard, freestanding bedheads are the easiest option since there's nothing to match up. It's also the safest option if you're renting, with no drilling into walls and nothing to patch up when you move out. After a more built-in and seamless look? Frame-mounted works well, provided the bolt spacing lines up with your frame.

What Size Bedhead Do You Need?

A bedhead matches the width of your mattress, not the length, and New Zealand mattress sizes are consistent across brands. Measure your mattress width first and then check it against the bed frame width listed on Mocka's product page. 
 Get the width right and the bedhead will sit flush with the frame which is what you want in most bedrooms for a deliberate, finished look. 

Deliberately sizing up the bedhead to the next mattress size can also create an elegant look for a broader and more upholstered presence. Not to mention it also gives your bedside tables a grounding backdrop to sit against - though we recommend allowing for extra clearance on either side of your bed frame if you are going to size up in the bedhead! Alternatively, sizing down leaves the mattress overhanging and extending past the bedhead which looks disjointed. 

In terms of bedhead height, this comes down to personal preference. A taller bedhead makes a statement in rooms with high ceilings, while a lower bedhead profile keeps things calm and minimal for smaller bedrooms or Japandi inspired spaces.

 

How to Install a Bedhead 

So you've got your bedhead but don't know where to start with assembly and installation? Most attached bedheads take under 15 minutes to install with a screwdriver or Allen key and no special tools required. So, with a few easy steps, it's simple enough to manage on your own! Here is how our Mocka experts recommend installing your bedhead like a pro: 

How to install a fixed bedhead 

1. Check bolt spacing: Measure the distance between the mounting holes on your bed frame and confirm it matches the bedhead's bracket spacing before you start. 
2. Position the bedhead: Stand the bedhead resting against the wall or the head end of your frame. Make sure to check it's centred and sitting flush. 
3. Secure with brackets or bolts: Use the hardware included with your bedhead to fasten it securely to the bed frame tightening evenly on both sides. 
4. Check it's stable: Give it a firm push to test for wobble before moving the bed back into place. A stable bedhead shouldn't shift when you lean against it. 

How to install a wall-mounted bedhead

Installing a wall-mounted bedhead can instantly elevate your bedroom, turning your stylistic choices into more intentional ones. Here's an easy-to-follow how-to guide to installing a wall-mounted bedhead. 

Tools You'll Need: 

• Stud finder (which can be critical for heavier bedheads) 
• Spirit level 
• Tape measure 
• Power drill 
• Pencil or painter's tape for marking 
• Mounting hardware 

Step-by-Step Installation Guide: 

Step 1: Find the Ideal Height and Position 

1.1 Align your bedhead and bed base and use them as a visual guide. 

1.2 Determine the height. As a general rule of thumb, the bottom edge of the bedhead should sit 5–10 cm below the top of your mattress. This ensures there is no gap where pillows can slip through. 

1.3 Once you find the spot you're happy with, use a pencil to lightly mark the top corners and the centre point on the wall. Then, move the bed out of the way. 

 

Step 2: Locate Wall Studs 

2.1 Run a stud finder along the marked area as drywall alone cannot support a heavy bedhead over time. Secure the wall brackets directly into the wooden or metal studs wherever possible. 

2.2 Mark the stud locations clearly with a pencil. If your bedhead brackets don't line up perfectly with your studs, we recommend using heavy-duty toggle bolts or hollow wall anchors instead of standard screws. 

 

Step 3: Attach Brackets to the Bedhead 

3.1 Lay the bedhead face-down on a soft and flat surface (like a carpet or blanket) to protect the fabric or wood. 

3.2 Measure and attach the "downward-facing" brackets to the back of the bedhead if they aren't pre-installed. Make sure they are flush, feel stable, are evenly spaced and perfectly aligned with each other. 

 

Step 4: Measure and Install the Wall Brackets 

4.1 Measure the exact distance from the top of your bedhead to the brackets on the back. 

4.2 Transfer this measurement to the wall and measure down from your original top-corner marks. 

4.3 Hold the "upward-facing" wall brackets against your markings. 

4.4 Take your time in placing your spirit level across the brackets. If the wall brackets are uneven, your bedhead will sit crooked. 

4.5 Drill holes into the studs. 

4.6 Securely screw the wall brackets into place. 

 

Step 5: Hang the Bedhead 

5.1 With the help of a partner, lift the bedhead slightly above the wall brackets. 

5.2 Press it flush against the wall and slide it downward until the bedhead brackets interlock tightly with the wall brackets. 

5.3 Give it a gentle downward tug to ensure it is fully locked and secure. 

5.4 Push your mattress and bed base back into place, and you're done. 

How to install a freestanding bedhead 

There are two options when considering installing a freestanding bedhead. One is the no-tool option perfect for renters and the other is a more secure and permanent option for home owners and family households with little ones or pets. 

Option 1: No Tools Method

Ideal for renters, use this if your bedhead is heavy and sits flat on the floor. 

1. Place the bedhead flat against the wall. 
2. Secure the bedhead by pushing your bed base and mattress firmly up against it. 
3. The weight of the bed will hold it in place. 
   

Option 2: Attaching To The Bed Base

Use this if your bedhead has legs with pre-drilled slots: 

1. Feel the fabric at the head of your bed base to find the screw holes. 
2. Screw the headboard bolts halfway into the holes. 
3. Then slide the slots of the bedhead legs down over the bolts. 
4. Move the bedhead up or down so the bottom sits just below the top of your mattress. 
5. Check that it is level, then tighten the bolts firmly and secure.

 

How Does an Adjustable Bed Base Work? 

How It Works 

An adjustable bed base is a motorised platform made up of hinged sections that lift and lower independently, usually the head end, the foot end, or both. A remote control drives the motor, letting you raise your head to read or watch TV or lift your feet to ease pressure after a long day. The bed base sits directly under your mattress in place of a standard flat base or slatted platform and most work with a range of mattress types, though it's worth checking your mattress is flexible enough to bend with the base. 

Will It Work With Your Bed Frame? 

Adjustable bases need room to flex, so they generally pair best with open or slatted platform frames or with no frame at all, sitting on a base alone. Frames with fixed side rails, a solid footboard or storage drawers underneath usually don't leave enough clearance for the hinged sections to move, so they're generally not compatible. 

If you already own an adjustable base and you're updating your bedroom's look, the simplest option is usually a bedhead on its own rather than a whole new frame, since the base itself already provides the support that a frame would.

Ready to Find Your Fit? 

Once you know how a bed frame, a bedhead and an adjustable base work and the differences between them, choosing the right setup for your bedroom gets a lot simpler. 

Mocka's range of bed frames feature a variety of styles suited to modern New Zealand homes, all designed with everyday style and comfort in mind. If your taste runs to earthy hues, or you'd rather something more contemporary, there's a colour, style and material to suit. Plus, every Mocka bed arrives flat-packed with clear, easy-to-follow instructions and no special tools needed and is delivered New Zealand-wide. 

Explore the range or read Mocka's bed frame buying guide for the things worth knowing before you buy. Either way, when you shop with Mocka you know you'll end up with a bed that looks the part and earns its keep night after night! 

Bed Basics FAQs 

Do I need a bedhead with a bed frame? 

No, not necessarily, a bedhead is completely optional. Many bed frames work perfectly well without one, though adding a bedhead gives you something comfortable to lean against, brings a level of style into the room and protects the wall behind your bed. 

Can I buy a bedhead separately from a bed frame? 

Yes, typically you can. In most cases, freestanding and frame-mounted bedheads can be bought and installed on their own, as long as the size matches your bed frame. Availability varies by range, so check the current bedroom collection to confirm what's stocked as a standalone piece. 

Is a bed base the same as a bed frame? 

Not quite. A bed base is just the flat platform that supports your mattress, while a bed frame usually includes that base plus the surrounding structure, like side rails and an optional headboard. 

How long does it take to install a bedhead? 

Most freestanding and frame-mounted bedheads take under 15 minutes to install with basic tools, following the steps included with your bedhead. 

Can I use an adjustable base with any bed frame? 

Not always. Because adjustable bases need room to flex, they suit open or slatted frames best. Frames with fixed rails, footboards or drawers underneath usually aren't compatible. 

What's the easiest way to add an adjustable base to my bedroom? 

Pair the adjustable base with a standalone bedhead rather than a full bed frame, since the base already provides the support a frame would normally give. A wall-mounted bedhead is the most stable choice here, because there's no frame to bolt onto and nothing that gets in the way as the base moves.