5 Majestic Non-Toxic Headboards for any Budget

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James Miller
By 
James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.
James Miller
Category: 
Updated: May 12, 2024

Is your headboard made from toxic materials? Are you sleeping in a room full of toxins every night? If you’re not sure, it’s time to find out.

Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time researching many sleep-related topics and products to help you keep the toxic nasties out of your sustainable sleep sanctuary.

And now it’s time to delve deep into the world of non-toxic headboards!

In this article, I’ll reveal the hidden dangers of traditional headboards and show you how to choose a non-toxic headboard for a healthier sleep environment.

Top Wood, Rattan & Leather Headboards for Natural Bed Frames

Materials: Manau Rattan
Colors: Light / Natural
Sizes: Full/Queen or King/Cal King
Price Range: $$$

We Say: I love the ethos around The Citizenry. It was established to honor the makers of our products. ‘The Citizenry’ refers to the group of people (artisans, designers, and dreamers) who come together to create their collections.

Their Java Rattan Headboard is made with lightweight yet durable manau rattan. It’s sturdy and simple to install.

Cleaning is also simple. The manufacturer recommends a damp or dry microfiber cloth, but I prefer an organic cotton cloth.

I particularly love the light natural color. It goes great with our bedroom décor.

From start to finish, each unique Java Rattan Headboard is handmade in a fair trade environment. It's been approved and certified by the World Fair Trade Organization. This makes me feel good about supporting sustainable practices that benefit hardworking artisans and their families.

Free shipping is available within the continental US. There is an easy returns policy if you’re not 100% delighted with this headboard (which is highly unlikely!).

You’ll get a 100% refund if you opt for store credit. A $65 restocking fee applies if you opt for a refund to your original payment method.

Pros & Cons

Handmade by artisans
Elegant bohemian charm
Very sturdy
Fair trade guarantee
Restocking fee if you decide to return it

Verified Customer Reviews

  • Love this headboard!!! Modern boho charm and lightweight - brings a sense of warmth and coziness into the room. Thank you !! Package arrived perfect and no damage.

    Monica B
    ★★★★★

  • I love it!! Its much lighter than I thought (weight and the color). It's perfect! I also love that you can put it as high or low as you want it (I have high pillows in the back so I can put this higher).

    Amber H
    ★★★★★

  • It fits perfectly and looks better in person. I'm incredibly happy with this purchase.

    Chris W
    ★★★★★

Materials: Woven Rattan
Colors: Natural
Sizes: Medium (Twin)  or Large (Full/Queen)
Price Range: $$

We Say: Do you like the sound of The Citizenry and love the rustic charm of a rattan headboard but want something a little more intricate?

Then the Azibo Woven Headboard could be perfect for you.

This stunning headboard, made by artisans in Malawi (in certified fair trade conditions), takes up to five days to finish.

The result is a unique headboard that is quite the conversation starter. Due to the handmade artisan nature, sizes and shapes can vary slightly from piece to piece.

As a rough guide to sizes, The Citizenry lists two sizes available:

  • Twin - 39”W x 19.5”H
  • Full/Queen - 62”W x 31”H

I tested the Full/Queen option, and the sizing was exactly as advertised.

This item ships for free to the continental U.S., and there is an easy returns process should you need it.

Pros & Cons

Handmade by artisans
Rustic look
Doubles as a wall hanging
Fair trade guarantee
No king size option
Materials: Ethical leather
Colors: Caramel
Sizes: Full/Queen or King/Cal King
Price Range: $$$

We Say: And this is the third mention of The Citizenry. Told you I was getting a little obsessed! ????

With good reason, though. They have fantastic eco-credentials and sell some unique bespoke creations.

This headboard is made in Alcanena by a small team of master craftsmen. The leather used is ethically sourced cow leather.

Alcanena, also known as the ‘Land of Leather’, is where Portugal’s leather industry thrives.

The village is home to brothers Luis and Pedro, who own a well-known leather workshop that was started by their grandfather 85 years ago. The family business initially focused on tanning hides, but they have since mastered the art of preparing and finishing all types of leather.

Their products highlight leather’s intrinsic beauty by utilizing a deep understanding of both the tanning process and leather as a whole. B

y carefully taking each step from cutting to sewing to finishing with artistry, they bring out unique textures, weights, and hues in every product…ensuring that no two items are alike.

All of this passion and care comes through in this Hanging Leather Headboard. It’s a high-quality statement piece that pairs beautifully with our guest room's solid wood bed frame. It looks and feels like it will last a lifetime.

Like the other two offerings from The Citizenry, shipping is free to the continental U.S., the headboard is approved by the World Fair Trade Organization, and it’s simple to install.

Pros & Cons

Ethical leather
Handmade by artisans
Wall mounted
Fair trade guarantee
Restocking fee if you decide to return it
Materials: Reclaimed wood
Colors: Natural
Sizes: Twin | Full | Queen | King | Cal King
Price Range: $$$

We Say: When testing wooden headboards, I knew I wanted to put some reclaimed options through their paces. So, there was only one place to go. Etsy!

The KaseCustom Reclaimed Wood Headboard blew me away and is definitely the best wooden headboard I tested.

It’s made from sustainable reclaimed wood, and the sealant is non-toxic, perfect for people with chemical sensitivities.

This product's sustainability doesn’t stop at the reclaimed wood. The headboard is made in an Arizona workshop powered by renewable energy.

KaseCustom takes pride in reclaimed wood furniture and ensures that each piece tells a unique story. The nail holes, markings, fade, and wood grain color variances are all part of the wood's history, making this headboard even more special.

A non-toxic, zero-VOC sealant is used to protect the wood, meaning there will be no off-gassing issues with this headboard.

The KaseCustom Reclaimed Wood Headboard is handmade to order. It usually takes around a month to make and ship.

Shipping is free to the U.S., and Etsy will offset the carbon emissions from the delivery and packaging of this purchase.

If you’re looking for a beautiful, sustainable headboard crafted with care and made from reclaimed wood, look no further. This is a cracker!

Pros & Cons

Highly sustainable
Non-toxic
Handmade to order
Free carbon-neutral shipping
Most expensive option on the list
Lead time required to hand make your unique product
Materials: Organic cotton
Colors: Choose your own custoom color
Sizes: Twin | Full | Queen | King
Price Range: $

We Say: I love the vast array of fabric options available from CottonedShop (all OEKO-TEX certified and fully customizable).

However, if you have any specific size or style requirements, simply message Ivan and he'll gladly make whatever you request.

The zipper at the bottom of the headboard for easy cotton adjustment or adding/removing filling is a nice touch. As is the complimentary mending kit.

These excellent headboards are hand-crafted in Sofia, Bulgaria, and shipped for free to the US.

International shipping is not great in terms of environmental sustainability. However, because Etsy offset the entire impact of the delivery and packaging on this purchase, I'm happy to recommend this seller.

Pros & Cons

Certified non-toxic
Most affordable option on the list
Choice of colors and fabrics
Free carbon-neutral shipping
Some customers report fabric samples did not arrive

Non-Toxic Headboards: Things You Must Consider

Materials

When it comes to headboard materials, there is a wide range of options available. However, not all of these headboard materials are created equal.

Some of them can contain nasty chemicals such as flame retardants and volatile organic compounds that can off-gas into your home and harm your health.

The most popular headboard materials are:

  • Wood: One of the most commonly used headboard materials, wood can be a renewable resource that doesn’t naturally release toxic chemicals. However, certain types of wood may contain potentially hazardous finishes that can leach out harmful toxins such as formaldehyde and arsenic. Wood headboards are popular because it’s easy to find many different options to match the style of standard wood bed frames.
  • Bamboo: One of the fastest-growing plants in the world, bamboo is an eco-friendly material that is usually safe from toxic chemicals. However, choosing a supplier that adheres to strict harvesting regulations is crucial.
  • Rattan: Also known as cane, this material is made from woven strips of a robust tropical plant. It can be toxin-free if harvested sustainably, but beware that cheaper rattan products can contain formaldehyde and other nasty chemicals.
  • Leather: Leather is easy to care for and can feel luxurious to the touch. Some excellent eco-leather options are coming to the market if you’re vegan or don’t like the thought of having animal hide in your bedroom.
  • Plastic: Plastic headboards are easy to clean and usually relatively inexpensive to buy. But, buying a plastic headboard when there are more sustainable options available will simply add to the planet’s plastic waste statistics.
  • Metal: One of the oldest materials, metal headboards have been used for centuries to provide a stylish sleeping haven. However, that doesn’t mean they’re always safe from toxins. It’s important to source your metal headboards from an environmentally and socially conscious manufacturer that adheres to strict quality standards. Also, standalone metal headboards are becoming harder to find because metal bed frames usually come with headboards already attached.
  • Fabric: Fabric headboards are one of the most popular options for modern sleepers, allowing you to easily choose the perfect color and design to suit your style and bedroom décor. When selecting a fabric option, look into how the fabric is treated, including any chemical treatments and whether or not they’re a sustainable fabric and/or certified as organic.

Company Ethics

When choosing a non-toxic headboard, the company you purchase from can make all the difference.

Not only are some companies responsible for producing toxic materials, but they may also take advantage of people in developing countries by using unfair labor practices and child or environmental exploitation.

You should also make sure only to use manufacturers that adhere to strict environmental standards regarding energy consumption and waste production and ensure that the company is committed to recycling, repurposing, and reducing waste.

Certifications

Several organizations certify headboard materials' safety and how they’re manufactured.

These certifications can give you peace of mind when choosing a headboard, so make sure to look for these important seals of approval:

Material Certifications

  • BLUESIGN
  • CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly
  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
  • Formaldehyde Free Verified
  • Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  • GREENGUARD
  • Leather Working Group
  • OEKO-TEX
  • Sustainable Furnishings Council

Ethical Certifications

  • 1% For The Planet
  • Carbon Neutral Certification
  • Certified B Corporation
  • Climate Neutral Certified
  • Ethical Trading Initiative
  • Fairtrade
  • World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO)

You can read more about these certifications (and many more) in my eco-labeling and green certifications article.

Health Concerns

There are several health concerns associated with headboards. Here are just a couple:

  • Allergies/Sensitivities: Some people may experience allergic reactions to some types of fabrics and materials, so it’s vital to choose headboards that are free from potentially harmful chemicals.
  • Dust Mites: Dust mites (and bed bugs) love fabric and wood, meaning traditional headboard materials can be a home for these nasty critters. Always try to keep your headboard clean. If you do suffer an infestation, reach for the all-natural bed bug killer and zap them before it gets any worse.

How to Choose the Perfect Headboard for Your Platform Bed Frame

Now that you know some of the health concerns related to traditional headboards, you may be wondering how to choose a toxin-free headboard that’s perfect for your bedroom space.

Here are just a few tips:

  • Consider the size and shape of your room and bed and how much space you want between your wall and the bottom of the headboard.
  • If you have young children, choose a toxin-free headboard that you can easily clean, such as metal or wood. If you don’t have children, you may want to consider a fabric headboard so you can easily customize it to match your décor.
  • If you’re looking for a unique headboard, consider a good quality second-hand or vintage option. Provided you can give it a good clean before it goes into your home, most second-hand and vintage furniture has already done most of its off-gassing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do All Bed Frames Have Formaldehyde?

Not all bed frames contain formaldehyde, but some of the cheaper engineered wood bed frames might (because formaldehyde is used in some wood glues).

Opting for metal frames or solid hardwood bed frames can help dramatically reduce your risk of exposure to formaldehyde. You should definitely consider a non-toxic bed frame to go with your toxin-free headboard.

What Can Be Used Instead of a Headboard?

There are many different types of headboard alternatives that you can use. For example, wall-mounted shelving, decorative panels, a padded fabric mount on the wall behind your bed, or even a series of framed mirrors.

You could also opt for no headboards and simply have non-toxic bed frames sitting against your walls.

Why Have You Not Recommended a Metal Headboard?

I was hoping to recommend a low-priced, non-toxic metal headboard. However, I’m yet to find one that makes the grade. I’ll keep searching and will update this article if/when I find one.

Why Have You Not Recommended a Bamboo Headboard?

None of the bamboo options I tested met my sustainability requirements. I’ll keep looking and will update this article if/when I test one worthy of inclusion.

The Final Word

When it comes to choosing a headboard to pair with your natural wood bed frame, there are many factors you need to consider.

Not only do you need to think about the type of material the headboard is made from, but you also need to research the company that produced it. Make sure they adhere to strict environmental standards and have certifications from ethical third-party organizations.

You should also be aware of the potential health concerns associated with traditional headboards, such as allergies, dust mites, and chemical sensitivities.

If you’re looking for a unique and sustainable headboard, consider a secondhand or vintage option.

With proper research and planning, you can choose the perfect headboard for your bedroom space.

If you get stuck, let me know. I’m here to help.

Get In Touch

Do you have a separate sustainable headboard to complement your non-toxic bed frame?

What is your material of choice? Or are you happy to go without a headboard? Maybe you have a metal bed frame with an integrated headboard? Drop me a line and let me know.

James Miller
James Miller
James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.

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