When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, most people preoccupy themselves with picking out the right mattress. While that is an important decision, an equally critical one is making sure that you have the right bed frame to go with it.
Unless you are living dirt cheap and sleep with your mattress on the floor (or a box spring and nothing else), a bed frame is a necessity. It will not only add some personality to your room, but it can affect the look and feel of your whole bed.
So, with that in mind, let’s go over the most essential components of a bed frame, and we’ll look at some of the best options you can find today.
Picture | Name | Price |
---|---|---|
Zinus Deluxe Faux Leather Upholstered Platform Bed with Wooden Slats | ||
Zinus 14 Inch SmartBase Mattress Foundation / Platform Bed Frame | ||
DHP Modern Metal Framed Industrial Canopy Bed Frame | ||
Best Price Mattress Solid Hardwood Platform Bed | ||
Olee Sleep OLR14BF04Q Heavy Duty Steel Slat Bed Frame T-3000 | ||
Classic Brands Hercules Heavy-Duty 14-Inch Platform Metal Bed Frame | ||
Stella Metal Platform Bed Frame by In Style Furnishings | ||
Best Price Mattress Model H Easy Set-Up Steel Platform Bed/Steel Bed Frame | ||
Handy Living Bed Frame Full | ||
Zinus Compack 9-Leg Support Bed Frame |
The first thing that you have to do is figure out if the frame will match up with your mattress. Obviously, if you are sleeping on a twin bed and you get a queen-size frame, it won’t work, and vice versa. So, sizing your frame is a relatively simple matter, provided that you already have a mattress.
But what if you don’t? Then, the first thing you have to do is measure the room in which you will be sleeping. You want a bed that won’t overpower the room and leaves you with barely any floor space left.
With regards to the bed frame, depending on the style you choose, you may have to measure for that as well. For example, if you decide that you want a canopy bed, but you have short ceilings, then you have to take that into consideration.
Height is another critical factor when picking out a bed frame, more specifically how high it sits off the floor. This can be a big deal depending on your own height, because if the bed is too tall, then you will have to jump to get up on it.
Finally, you want to determine if you plan on using the underside of the bed for storage or not. If you already have limited space in your bedroom, then getting a taller frame may be a better choice because you will have extra room to store things rather than buying new furniture.
For the most part, there are four primary varieties of bed frame from which you can choose. While there is some differentiation within each style, the main thing to consider is the overall shape and design of the structure.
Once you’ve picked out your style, then the next thing to do is figure out whether you want a frame made out of metal or wood. Both materials are sturdy and will last a long time, so it will ultimately come down to personal preference and aesthetic.
When it comes to metallic frames, there are usually several different options from which you can choose, such as wrought iron, steel, brass, and copper. Each one has a distinct style and appearance, but most of the time steel is going to be the cheapest option, so keep that in mind as well.
Wood is a great option, particularly if you are going for a more traditional look. The only downside is that wood can be quite heavy and cumbersome, and it can break easier than metal.
Finally, the last thing to consider when picking out a frame is whether or not you are going to have a box spring with it. If you aren’t, then you have to make sure that the structure can support the mattress without having it sag in the middle. This will require slats going across, and it could inflate the price. However, if you have a box spring, then you can opt for a much more minimalist approach, which could save you money.
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First on our list is this sleigh-style bed frame from Zinus. This is not an authentic sleigh frame as it does not come with a baseboard, but it does have a sturdy and modern-looking headboard. The whole thing is made out of wood that is covered in faux leather to prevent scratches and to add a sense of style to your bed.
What we like about this model is that it is sturdy and it can work with or without a box spring. It comes with thick wooden slats that cover the whole middle section, thereby ensuring that you won’t sink into the mattress at night. Also, the frame is rated to support up to 1200 pounds, so there is no chance of you breaking anything on it.
Overall, this is a perfect frame for anyone who likes a sleek, modern style and wants something that is easy to assemble that won’t break the bank.
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Next, we have another high-quality bed frame from Zinus, although this one is a bit more modern than the one above. This is a platform style frame made out of steel. It’s lightweight and cost efficient, but it’s not as strong as some other frames. Overall, this is an ideal choice for someone who wants to save money and not worry about assembling something too complicated.
What we like about this frame is that it doesn’t require any tools or know-how to put it together. Just a few screws are all it takes to get it setup so you can be sleeping on it in no time. Also, because it has metal bars running in the middle, you can use this frame with or without a box spring, making it even more versatile and profitable. It comes in six different sizes, and it also comes with Zinus’ patented five-year hassle-free warranty, just in case something goes wrong.
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Typically speaking, when getting a canopy bed you will usually have something ornate and wooden. However, if you prefer a more modern and industrial look, then you will love this frame from DHP. It is much easier to assemble and much more lightweight than a wooden canopy, but it is still sturdy and can provide excellent support while you sleep.
As with the other frames we’ve seen, this one can be used with a box spring or without. It has thick metal bars all across the center, and there are two stabilizing legs in the middle to prevent sagging. It also comes with a minimalist headboard, which is three metal bars on the side.
We like the elegant simplicity of this frame, as well as the fact that it can hold 500 pounds and provides 11 inches of storage space underneath. Overall, this frame is perfect for anyone who wants a more cost efficient canopy structure.
The other thing that we like about this bed frame is the appearance. You can get it in either black, natural, or cherry color, but we prefer the latter over the other two because it adds a traditional elegance to your room.
As with the others, this frame works well with or without a box spring, although we recommend without because it will be quite tall if you have one between the mattress and the frame. Although this model is not as high as other ones we’ve seen, it feels taller because there are wooden side panels that stick up past where the box spring sits.
Overall, if you want a durable and reliable bed frame that will add a traditional flair to your room without an exorbitant price tag, this is one of the better models to get.
What we like most about this frame is that it offers 14 inches of ground clearance. As such, we recommend not using a box spring with it, but since it has thick metal slats across the middle, that won’t be necessary. Because it offers so much space underneath, however, it is perfect for smaller bedrooms where every foot counts.
Overall, this frame is relatively simple and straightforward, so it’s ideal for those looking for a practical solution without a lot of extra features.
What we like most about this frame is the stability. It uses both metal bars and wire to support your mattress, which is why it works as a box spring by itself. You can still use on top, but it’s not necessary. Also, we like that it offers ample clearance so that you can store things underneath. Finally, we appreciate that it is super easy to assemble and doesn’t require any tools or anything to get it set up.
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So far, we’ve seen bed frames that are either made of metal or wood, but in this case, the Stella Platform Frame is a mixture of both. The outside of the frame is made of high-quality steel, and it comes with thick wooden slats across the middle so that you don’t have to use a box spring.
However, in this case, the frame itself sits relatively low (5.5 inches), so you may want to have one, so you don’t have to fall into bed.
Overall, this frame is sturdy and reliable, and it’s also effortless to assemble. While it’s not quite as intuitive as some of the other ones we’ve seen, it is relatively lightweight and easy to get into position.
The other thing that we like about this frame is that it comes with a money-back guarantee, so if you don’t like for any reason, just ship it back, no questions asked.
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We’ve been looking at a lot of platform style frames on this list, but what if you want something a bit more elegant and noteworthy? Well, this sleigh style frame from Best Price Mattress combines the traditional appearance of a head and baseboard with the modern convenience of steel bars.
Overall, we like this model because it is the perfect blend of the two aesthetics. We like that there is are posts on each corner so that you can hang stuff off of them, and we appreciate the rugged durability of an all-steel frame. Like the other ones we’ve seen, this model works without a box spring, although we don’t recommend doing that if you have a memory foam or equally soft bed.
Finally, the other thing that we like about this frame is that it comes with a remarkable five-year warranty.
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As we’ve seen, most modern bed frames are built to remove the need for a box spring, but this model takes it a step further by combining the frame with a box spring to provide extra support for your mattress. The secret to this structure is the fact that it has both metal slats and coils on the bottom so that it conforms to your mattress while also providing a flat surface.
As such, we actively recommend that you do not use a box spring. However, for best results, it’s ideal to have some kind of thin barrier between the two so that your mattress doesn’t sag between the bars.
Overall, this bed frame is sturdy and reliable, and it will hold up for many years. It also provides ample storage space underneath, and it comes in four different sizes to meet your needs.
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We kicked off this list with a Zinus Bed Frame, so now we are coming full circle. However, unlike the other models that we’ve seen so far, this frame is designed specifically to work with a box spring. Thus, if you currently have a mattress and box spring and are just looking for a cost effective frame, we highly recommend this model.
The frame is made of steel so that it will last, and it uses a locking mechanism to keep the sides in place. This also allows it to fold so that if you have to move, you can pack it up much more quickly. Finally, this frame comes with Zinus’ five-year warranty, so you know it’s built to last.
Overall, we’ve seen a lot of fantastic frames, but if we had to pick out the ones that stand above the rest, we have to say that our top recommendations would be anything from Zinus (because of the five-year warranty), or the Industrial Canopy Bed from DHP. All of these frames are built to be as convenient and reliable as possible, and we know that they will upgrade your bedroom immediately.