Bed risers are supports that can be placed under each leg of a piece of furniture to raise it higher. Individuals can use bed risers to create more storage space under their beds, to make beds higher, to raise a headboard, or to elevate their beds for medical purposes, such as acid reflux. Installing a bed riser properly is essential to keep your bed, headboard, or any other piece of furniture sturdy and safe.
You can find the best bed risers sorted by customer ratings here. (Amazon)
How do you use bed risers with a headboard? When using bed risers with a headboard, you need to:
- Make sure they are correctly installed, so they are safe and secure.
- Know what type of headboard and bed frame will work with bed risers.
- Find the right bed risers for your needs.
- Purchase a high-quality bed riser that is durable and safe.
Adding bed risers under your bed can be a relatively simple task if you know what you are doing. However, installing them on a bed that has a headboard can be challenging. Continue reading to understand exactly what you need to do to use bed risers with a headboard properly.
How to Install Bed Risers with a Headboard
When using bed risers with a headboard, it is crucial to make sure the headboard is secured and well supported.
Follow these four steps to install bed risers with a headboard:
- Figure out what type of headboard and bed frame you have.
- Purchase bed risers that will meet the needs you have for you, your headboard, and your bed.
- Install the bed risers you have purchased.
- Secure everything in place.
When installing bed risers, it is always a good idea to have at least one other person around to help. Furniture can be heavy, so trying to lift and slide a bed riser into place on your own is not a great idea. Most bed risers will not require the use of tools, but not all brands will install the same way, either.
Some bed risers merely slide into place while others need to be screwed in. It is always a good idea to read over the manufacturing directions before beginning installation to make sure it is done correctly.
Follow these steps throughout the entire installation process:
- Make sure you have lightened the load you are lifting as much as you can. If you are installing bed risers under your headboard, remove anything that might be attached to your headboards, such as a lamp or cords. They might not add a ton of weight, but you want them to be out of the way to remove trip hazards and prevent items from falling off during the installation process.
- If you are installing bed risers under the bed, remove the mattress and box spring if possible to remove as much weight as you can from the load you will be lifting. If one person alone is unable to lift the load, get extra help, or consider using a tool, such as a car jack.
- Once the headboard or bed is elevated, the other person can slide the bed risers underneath each foot and make sure they are adequately secured. For large beds, you may want to place two bed risers in the middle of the bed for support.
- Double-check the stability of the headboard and bed before walking away and considering the job done.
- You have got your bed risers in place, so the last step is to make sure your headboard is secure. Bed risers will lift your headboard higher but will not help with the forward and back movement of the headboard between the bed and the wall. If your headboard does not secure to the bed frame, you can secure it to the wall. Doing this will help cut down on the amount of noise and movement of the headboard.
If your headboard and bed sit on a hardwood floor, it is also a good idea to make sure your bed risers will not slide. Sliding bed risers are dangerous and can also damage your flooring.
A few things you can do to make sure your bed risers do not slide include:
- Use velcro pads to secure the bottoms of the risers
- Wrap the bottom of your bed risers with rubber
- Place a large rug under your bed and headboard
Once everything is secured and in place, take a step back and admire your work. If you notice that the bed risers are extremely visible and you don’t like this, there are a few things you can do to help hide them. You can always add a longer bed skirt to the bed or try painting or covering each bed riser.
How the Type of Headboard and Bed Frame Affect Bed Risers
Many individuals have probably wondered if they can use bed risers with a headboard. The answer is yes, you can. When using bed risers with a headboard, you will want to make sure they are appropriately placed.
Depending on your situation, you may be needing bed risers for your headboard as well as your bed frame. In some cases, people only need to raise their headboard and not the frame. If this is the case, then just focus on what you need to do for the headboard.
Before you purchase any type of bed riser, look at the bottom of your headboard and bed frame then make a note of what you see. Here are a few things to look for:
- Are there wheels?
- Can you remove the wheels and screw in a bed riser in their place?
- Is it a square or rectangular base?
- How big is the base? What are the measurements?
It is always a good idea to measure the base of your headboard and bed frame to make sure they will both fit appropriately on top of the bed risers you purchase. The bottom of a headboard is more likely to vary in size and shape, so don’t be surprised if you need a different bed riser for your headboard than you do for your bed frame.
If you are planning on raising your bed frame with your headboard, notice if the headboard is attached to the frame. If the frame and the headboard are attached, then you will not need to purchase bed risers to fit underneath your headboard. However, if it looks odd to have your headboard elevated without any support under it, then go ahead and place some bed risers there.
How to Choose the Right Bed Riser
As soon as you know the size and shape of the headboard and frame that you will be raising, you can start looking for a set of bed risers to match. Identify which characteristics of a bed riser are important to you and look for bed risers with those options first.
What to Look for in a Bed Riser
Bed risers come in all sorts of shapes and styles, so the list below will go over what you should consider when selecting your bed riser.
- Type and Design. Bed risers can be made of plastic, metal, or wood. Some materials, such as wood, are going to be more durable than others. However, some materials, such as plastic, can be adjustable to allow you to change the height if needed. The material and design of the bed riser will also impact the look you want. If your bed risers will be visible and you want them to look beautiful, consider a wooden or steel one. If looks do not matter to you, then go with something less fancy, such as plastic.
- Size. This goes hand in hand with whether it will fit properly under your headboard or bed frame. You want the bed riser to be snug and secure under your furniture for safety. Have the measurements of the feet or wheels with you when purchasing the bed risers. Many bed risers have indentations in the top of them that will securely hold the feet or wheels, so making sure the fit is perfect is critical.
- Elevation height. Make sure to find a bed riser that will raise your headboard or frame to the height you desire. The higher you want to go, the more likely it is that you will need stackable bed risers. Keep in mind that the bed riser will be more secure if you can find one at your desired height rather than stacking multiple ones on top of each other.
- The number of bed risers. Typically, bed risers come in sets of four. If you only need them for your headboard, then you might try looking for ones sold individually. If you want them for your headboard and bed frame, then look for a set of 6. Do not be surprised if you end up having to purchase two sets of 4; you can always add more bed risers under the bed or headboard for extra support.
- Supported weight. The last thing to consider when purchasing a bed riser is to make sure you buy ones that will hold the right amount of weight. If you are just raising your headboard, then weight should not be too much of a concern; however, for the bed, you will need to know about how much it weighs while the owners are occupying it.
- Price. Once you have considered all the characteristics of bed risers, you should be able to narrow down all the options to a few that will meet your needs. From there, you can consider the price. Keep in mind that sturdier bed risers, such as steel or metal, tend to cost more, so sometimes spending a little more might be a good option.
Purchasing the right type of bed riser from the start will save you from running into trouble later during use. If you bring home a set of bed risers that do not seem sturdy or fit as well as you thought they would, do not hesitate to return them and try a new brand or style. Safety and security are essential when elevating any piece of furniture.
The Best Bed Risers
Now that you know the steps for installing bed risers, here are a few popular and well-rated ones that you can check out:
- Utopia Adjustable Bed Furniture Risers – These adjustable, plastic Utopia bed risers (Affiliate Link To Amazon) have a square indentation at the top of them to hold pieces of furniture like beds and headboards. They are highly stable and support up to 1,300 pounds.
- iPrimio Bed and Furniture Square Risers – IPrimio (Amazon) bed risers are slightly larger on top than the Utopia. They contain a heavy-duty bottom that will not slide or damage hard floors. You can also find a round version of this bed riser here. (Link To Amazon)
- Aspeike Bed and Furniture Risers – If you are looking for some lovely looking wooden bed risers, then Aspeike is a good option. They are incredibly durable and hold up to 6,600 pounds.
- Slipstick Bed Risers – These round bed risers are designed with a memory foam cushion on the top to allow your furniture to sink in, guaranteeing its security. They add a height of two inches and support up to 2,000 pounds.
- Steel Adjustable Bed Riser Legs – These steel bed risers (Link To Amazon) are an excellent option for elevation a piece of furniture that you can screw into from the bottom. They have a sleek look and will add about 4 inches in height.
How Much Weight Can You Put on Bed Risers?
The amount of weight a bed riser will hold depends on the style and material of the bed riser. A wooden or metal bed riser will more likely be able to hold more weight than a plastic one. The typical weight capacity of bed risers is 2,000 pounds; however, some have been designed to hold over 6,000 pounds. Make sure you are purchasing ones that will hold the correct amount of weight by finding the weight capacity listed on the packaging.
The size of the base of the bed riser will also impact how much pressure is being placed on your floor or carpet. Bed risers with smaller bases might punch holes through a carpeted surface if they are holding a significant amount of weight. If this is a concern, try to find bed risers with a larger surface area on the bottom.
How High Do Bed Risers Go?
The average bed risers come in standard sizes of 3 inches, 5 inches, and 8 inches. Surprisingly, some bed risers are made to be almost 24 inches tall, lifting your bed about 21 inches. For these types of bed risers, your bed or piece of furniture needs to meet specific requirements to use them safely.
Some bed risers can also be stacked, so if you are looking for a height other than 3 inches, 5 inches, or 8 inches, then you should still be able to achieve it. Keep in mind that the more bed risers you stack on each other, the more unstable your headboard or bed will become.
Are Bed Risers Dangerous?
The thought of elevating your headboard, bed, or any piece of furniture on bed risers might make you a little nervous; however, you shouldn’t be. Bed risers are designed to be like a secure extension of your furniture, not an unsteady block that it is sitting on.
Bed risers are entirely safe if they are appropriately installed and placed under the appropriate amount of recommended weight. The key to making sure your bed riser is safe and secure is by purchasing one that fits with your furniture and by following the manufacturer’s directions during installation.
However, there is one small exception when it comes to safety, and it is not because the stability and sturdiness of the bed riser are compromised. Some manufacturers have started producing bed risers with built-in electrical outlets. These bed risers add the risk of a fire hazard.
Can You Use Bed Risers with Beds that Have Wheels?
If you are wondering if you can use a bed riser with a headboard, you might also ask yourself, what about a bed with wheels? Often beds will come with metal bed frames that have wheels attached to them so you can easily move your bed around the room as needed.
If you want to elevate your bed and the frame has wheels, don’t worry, you can still use bed risers. However, you will need to purchase specific bed risers that are designed to hold a wheel. Check out a few of them here (Amazon). They will have indentations on the top of them that will keep the wheel from moving while the riser is underneath it. When installing these bed risers, you may need to use a different style to elevate your headboard as well.
In Conclusion
Bed risers are a safe option for elevating a headboard, bed, or other pieces of furniture. There are many different bed risers available, so understanding what to look for and how to install them properly will make the task of raising your furniture easier. Use the information from this article to guide you as you use bed risers with your headboard.
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