White dorm headboards are one of the most popular items for rising college freshmen this year. If you simply Google the term, you’ll get one retailer after another, but not one place where you can see the best white dorm headboards across multiple retailers. Until now. We’ve compiled a list of highly-rated and stylish white headboards perfect for dorm rooms below.

You can see our full list of dorm recommendations in our Complete Dorm Room Essentials Guide.

Do You Really Need A Headboard For a Dorm Room?

Do you need a headboard? No, it isn’t a necessity. But these are good reasons to consider a headboard for your dorm bed:

1. The head of your bed will probably be up against a wall, very often a concrete block wall.
2. Headboards help keep pillows from falling to the floor while you sleep.
3. Headboards make it more comfortable to sit up and lean back in bed. You can’t study at your desk ALL the time…
4. In a tiny space with many limitations on decor and comfort, a headboard is a great way to add some style as well as comfort to your dorm room.

In this article, we are focusing on these popular white dorm headboards in different shapes, sizes and materials. After reading the headboard options, continue on to learn how to attach a headboard to a dorm bed.

What Size Headboard Do You Need For A Dorm Bed?

• Twin or Twin XL Dorm Bed = Twin Headboard
• Full or Full XL Dorm Bed = Full Headboard
• Queen Bed = Queen Headboard

XL beds are 5″ longer, but the width of the beds are the same.

The links below will take you to the Twin Size headboard, but if you’re looking for Full or Queen, simply change the size when you arrive on the page.

Our Top 10 White Dorm Headboards

After researching various brands and options, the following are our top 10 recommendations for white dorm headboards. Don’t miss the cute white storage ottomans at the end of our list – a great accompaniment to a white headboard!

1) Faux Leather White Button-Tufted Headboard

This awesome button-tufted white dorm headboard has the added benefit of being easy to clean thanks to the faux leather fabric. It is available at many retailers – click the links below to check the prices at these retailers to find the best price and shipping availability.

• Faux Leather White Dorm Headboard at Target
• Faux Leather White Dorm Headboard at Walmart
• Faux Leather White Dorm Headboard at Amazon

2) Faux Leather White Modern Headboard (No Buttons)

This attractive white tufted dorm headboard is similar to the first, but this style is tufted without button detail. A more modern white headboard, it is easy to clean and also available at many retailers. Click the links below to check the prices at these retailers to find the best price and shipping availability.

• Faux Leather Modern White Headboard at Target
• Faux Leather Modern White Headboard at Walmart
• Faux Leather Modern White Headboard at Amazon

3) Faux Leather White Headboard With Nailhead Trim

Another faux leather dorm headboard with a clean flat front and nail head trim. Easy to clean and also available at many retailers. Click the links below to check the prices at these retailers to find the best price and shipping availability.

• Faux Leather White Headboard With Nailhead Trim at Target
• Faux Leather White Headboard With Nailhead Trim at Walmart
• Faux Leather White Headboard With Nailhead Trim at Amazon

4) White arched Headboard With Brass NailHead Trim

Planning a white and gold dorm room? This reasonably priced arched white headboard would be the perfect compliment. Check out the ottoman below that would be the perfect match for this headboard.

• Arched White Headboard With Brass Nailhead Trim at Target
• Arched White Headboard With Brass Nailhead Trim at Walmart
• Arched White Headboard With Brass Nailhead Trim at Amazon

5) White Velvet Tufted Headboard

Button tufted velvet with a nailhead trim, this is a seriously stylish white dorm headboard. It can be propped against the wall or add the optional legs to more securely attach the headboard to the bed.

6) Crushed velvet white dorm headboard

This luxurious crushed velvet headboard with nailhead trim makes quite the statement. As with the other velvet option above, it can be propped against the wall or optional legs can be used to attach the headboard to the bed frame.

7) Performance velvet channel tufted Headboards

This velvet headboard has a ton of visual interest with the mid-century modern channel tufting in a performance velvet fabric. This would look great with Boho dorm decor!

8) Dormify white headboard

Definitely on the pricier side, this white Dormify charging headboard has charging ports as well as provided adhesive for attaching to the wall. Be sure you can use adhesive on your dorm walls before purchase.

9) Puffy Tufted White Pillow Headboard

This puffy white headboard has 4 loops on the back that can be attached to Command Hooks on the wall to keep it in place. Or simply lean it up against the wall. Be sure you can use Command Hooks on your walls before purchase.

10) Plush Button-Tufted White Pillow Headboard

This white pillow headboard can either rest against the wall or use elastic bands to attach to your bed frame. If your bed is at the top level of the frame, you won’t be able to attach the entire back of the pillow to the frame, but you will probably be able to attach at least the bottom of the pillow.

How To Get Up To A Captain Height Dorm Bed

If you put your bed up to the top setting, you’ll have a lot of excellent storage space under the bed, but you’ll likely need a little boost to get up on the bed. You could have 30-36″ from the top of the mattress to the floor.

Not sure what we mean by ‘top setting’ or ‘captain height’, here are the 3 heights available from most dorm beds. There are also beds that have 6′ clearance below (full loft) and bunk beds, but those pictures are not included here.

These storage ottomans are good step stools and also make for extra seating when friends come to visit.

This faux leather white storage ottoman would be a good option, and it holds over 400lbs.

This faux fur ottoman with gold legs would go great with the white and gold headboard above. It holds up to 200lbs.

Have a little extra room by your bed? Go with this bench-style storage ottoman for a little more seating and a little more storage.

How To Attach A Dorm Headboard With Legs

Wondering how to attach the headboard legs to a dorm bed that isn’t made for a headboard?

Grab a bag of longer zip ties, and give this quick video a watch. This video is how to install his custom headboards, but a purchased headboard will follow nearly the same process.

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Get The Info On All The College Dorm Room Essentials

• You can see our full list of dorm recommendations in our Complete Dorm Room Essentials Guide.
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