In the market for a new one. Deciding between wood, leather, fabric. Which kind do you have and what do you like/dislike about it? Thanks all
This one from Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30269172/
We used to have the whole bed frame to go with it but it wasn’t compatible with our sleep number bed.
Personally, I love it. It gives a little extra storage space so that we don’t have to clog our nightstands.
We have a big walnut sleigh bed type head and foot board that I would change in a heartbeat for something more simple and streamlined. Depends on your decorating style but I’d change mine in a heartbeat - I’d go for either a simple wood headboard or neutral fabric (but not too light) and dump a foot board.
We have a wooden headboard that is actually a part of our platform bed. Will never use a fabric coated one as it is much harder to maintain dust-free. Something to consider if you have someone with allergies sleeping in that bed.
@BunsenBurner – that’s what I like about the wood ones – no issues keeping it clean and dust free.
@romanigypsyeyes – that’s pretty cool! Love those shelves!
@abasket – we used to have the sleigh bed too (first DH) and glad to not have it anymore.
We just bought this bed for our guest bedroom:
https://www.houzz.com/product/85591856-mia-bed-eastern-king-honey-transitional-platform-beds
For a while, I was looking for solid wood that was not depressingly dark stained. This fit the bill nicely. And it is made in Oregon.
We have this upholstered one that I bought on a whim from Wayfair. It was the shape color I wanted.
It’s not something I’ll keep long term and it was inexpensive. The decor is on the masculine side and I like that it softens the look of our room. I use the dusting tool of my vacuum to clean it.
A friend has this for her headboard: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/bungalow-rose-zaytoune-villa-este-4-panel-room-divider-bngl2632.html
We have a wood headboard (it’s not solid wood–hard to describe); it’s part of a Thomas Moser platform bed. We had a choice of woods and went with American cherry. I love it. My younger D (who was still home when we were building the house) choose a fabric headboard. I really don’t notice a big difference in upkeep–have to dust both of them. Moser Furniture is made in the US (Maine).
Moser stuff is beautiful and superbly made.
Traditional wood from Ethan Allen back when they still made all their furniture in North Carolina. Our idea was to spend the money once and buy something that will last our lifetimes. We lemon oil it about every two years.
Like - solidly built to last generations. Don’t have to think about it except the occasional dusting. Neutral styling, still like the set.
Dislike - upfront cost. It has spindles so dusting takes a little extra time. Moved it four times. Locked in to queen size forever.
We got a Hitchcock headboard about 30 years ago, and I’m really sick of it, but there’s nothing wrong with it. 
One thing that particularly annoys me about it is that there is a gap between the mattress and the headboard, so if I put the pillows behind my back so I can sit up and read, the pillows sometimes fall into the gap. Very annoying. Occasionally I’ll push the mattress back toward the headboard the necessary few inches, but it’s a PITA.
We have a 30 year old spoked head and foot board bed from Conran. We thought about getting a new bed a few years ago but couldn’t find one that let’s the air through as well. The head of the bed is against the window and the window is wide open at night. A solid headboard wouldn’t work at all.
We have a wood headboard that was made by a wood sculptor. It’s unique, but in any case I would stick with wood because of the simplicity and ease of dusting. When looking for a headboard and bed frame for a guest room a couple of years ago, I was frustrated with the lack of simple, solid wood options.
I wouldn’t want a foot board, as I have a future SIL who is very tall and I’m sure it would bother him and all tall people. I’m not crazy about the look of sleigh beds and they always seem to have foot boards. Too many wood options are stained dark and have a heavy, ponderous feel.
I also like a frame for just a mattress, with support so that you don’t need a box spring. And, I wanted it to be high enough to vacuum under easily. I finally ordered this one from Overstock, and found out that it’s metal (ping!) and has a central leg, but I can still vacuum under it so it’s OK.
We also considered this one, even though it has a bit of a foot board.
Is your future SIL in bed with you? 
OH, lol! It was for a guest bed!!!
Ah! I missed that part.
Ha ha! :))
We have a wooden headboard with one long open storage area, no drawers, sliding panels or smaller compartments. Boxes of tissues, my H’s antacids, etc. fit in there. I liked this better than our previous headboard that had no storage.
We don’t have a footboard. I like being able to sit on the end of the bed to put on socks/shoes.
I’ve never wanted a footboard because it makes making the bed more challenging to make. Took us awhile to find one we liked but we have a contemporary metal one that’s somewhat similar to the first post in #11 but, well, more contemporary. The various lines are close together enough that a pillow can’t slip between as we too like to lean against the headboard to read and watch TV. We’re very happy with it and, other than dusting, it doesn’t require any maintenance nor was it particularly expensive.
I’ve been considering fabric ones for the (now vacant) kids’ rooms that I’ll be updating but do worry about stains or discoloring over time.
We had an upholstered one in the partially-furnished place we were previously in (the beds were supplied). It was comfortable for reading/watching TV, but I noticed it did get dusty. It was also in an aqua color and I had to pick bedding to go with it.
The bed we own has a wooden headboard. With pillows it’s fine for reading/watching TV.
My parents’ guestroom had a headboard with cast iron metal spindles. It was HORRIBLE for trying to sit up and read/watch TV.
^it sounds really uncomfortable!
I’m the one who sits up and reads or uses a laptop. DH never sits up so he cares less about the comfort factor.