Headboard - Strutted or Full Depth?

Grumpy_chap

We have decided a new headboard is required so visited John Lewis where all the headboards on display were "full height" versions but "strutted" versions are available as an option online.

We've only ever had "strutted" headboards. 
In fact, I never knew that "full height" versions were even a thing.

For the headboard we like, the "full height" version is £575 and the "strutted" version £349:

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-bedford-full-depth-upholstered-headboard-king-size/deep-velvet-eau-de-nil/p110286056

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-bedford-strutted-upholstered-headboard-king-size/deep-velvet-eau-de-nil/p110286067

Obviously, this is a money saving site, so that implies the "strutted" version is the one to go for.  It will be lighter and easier for me to carry upstairs.  It has less material so less environmental burden.

What I want to try to understand is what would be the advantage of the "full height" version?
Why would the "full height" version be better?
How many people ever buy the "full height" version?

With thanks in advance for any thoughts?

Murmansk

They both seem rather expensive, one is bigger and so costs more, it's not rocket science!

Jackie1813

I brought a beautiful full height headboard on a well known internet site (e***y) for a double bed £105 brand new, it is perfect. The headboard is better than a strutted version as it stands on the floor so there is no movement whatsoever when leaning against it.

victor2

Can't see any need for a full height one if the headboard is going up against a wall, like most do.

Eldi_Dos

Looked at both those links and what I found disheartening was that they both offered credit, must be the new normal.
Headboards on the never never, not what I would call progress.

Grumpy_chap

Murmansk said:

They both seem rather expensive

To be honest, I am not really sure what a headboard should cost.
Our current headboard is over 15 yo and I truly do not recall the cost then.  It was (and still is) a bold purple that was sold as ex-display - I think the store was just pleased to see the back of it.  It was, perhaps, rather a statement piece that seemed a good idea once, but it did fit our colour scheme of the time perfectly.

I get that the "full height" version costs more because it has twice as much in it.  I am trying to understand the benefits of the "full height" version compared to the "strutted" version.

As @Jackie1813 has commented, the "full height" version won't move when leaning against it.  We will, however, have the bed against the wall and I don't think we've really noticed movement of the current headboard (as @victor2 noted).

It is quite unusual that Mrs G-C and I both saw this design across the shop-floor from some distance away, both liked it, and both still liked it once we saw it closer so I think the question is really between "full-height" and "strutted" options.  Mrs G-C feels the "full-height" must be better because that is what all the ones on display were.  I am trying to understand the benefits over the "strutted" version.  Until today, I don't think either of us knew that "full-height" headboards were even a thing.

Eldi_Dos said:

Looked at both those links and what I found disheartening was that they both offered credit, must be the new normal.
Headboards on the never never, not what I would call progress.

I agree, the "everything monthly" is a backward step.
It is not really free credit either - certainly for us - as the workplace shopping scheme (reward gateway) includes discounts against JL products.  Not everyone will have access to a workplace shopping scheme.
I note that the free credit option was craftily structured so that the more expensive product has a lower monthly than the cheaper product.

koalakoala

I have my first ever full height ( king size ) and although it is good as there is no movement, it is a real pain to move for vacuuming underneath

SandyShores

From experience, the full height headboards won't go in a car (well my medium sized car) and are a bit more difficult to move.  But they look nice - and they are quite often slightly wider than the bed so feel more substantial.  When I bought a new headboard recently I chose the strutted version (from Next).  I honestly can't see much difference, but I can pull the bed out easily to hoover behind etc. whereas I couldn't do that with the full height one as they sit on the floor and it was too heavy to pull out with the bed anyway.  If I ever need a change I will be re-upholstering this strutted headboard.  Hope that helps.

Slinky

Can't see the point of a full height headboard. If you hadn't seen it, would it be something you'd gone looking for? Seems to solve a pointless problem that doesn't exist. I'd save my money.

We got ours from The Bed Factory Ipswich. Very happy with the quality, and they made ours to a custom height. Way cheaper than John Lewis. Their beds are fantastic too.

badmemory

What about reading in bed.  That would be my only concern.  If I was sat up in bed reading where would my head be on the headboard.  Also of course as you get older you may want to be able to use the headboard to hike yourself out of bed.

twopenny

I expected to see a headboard floor to ceiling for the full height one!
Truely shocked at the price.
I bought some padding and recovered mine to bring it up to date.  Approx cost £5 using what was left from the curtains.
It looks the same as those.

New headboard from local furniture stores around £200 or less.

But to keep your OH happy I'd go for strutted.
The reason they have full size ones on the shop floor is to make people think it's the trend and pay more. It's obvious but I've been in the business and about 90% of customers want the latest gizmo.