The bed frame is the focal point of your bedroom, and the support for your mattress. Learn everything you need to know about buying the right frame for your space.
Because it’s no secret that the majority of our time at home is spent sleeping, the bed frame is one of the most crucial furniture purchases you’ll make. You want to choose one that’s built to last and brings the style elements you’ll enjoy for years to come.
If you’re buying a new mattress and bed frame, you have the most flexibility in your bed frame shopping. You need to be sure to choose a frame and mattress that are compatible. For example, some low profile frames won’t have room for a box spring, so you need to choose a mattress that won’t require one. In order to support a dense memory foam mattress, your frame needs to have the right central support system, so you’ll need to take that into account too. Once you’ve decided what type of frames are available to you, depending on the mattress you already own, you can start to think about what frames speak to your personal style and sleeping habits.
A good place to go next is to consider the frame size. Bed frame sizes correspond to the standard mattress sizes and include twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. While we all dream of the day where we can stretch out on a California king mattress, you want to be realistic and consider your current needs and the size of your space before you commit to a bed size. Twin and twin XL beds are generally reserved for children, and are a great option in medium sized rooms that two or more kids are sharing and you want to maximize the square footage. Full beds are great for a single person, but they can get cramped if a couple is sharing a bed or if you are tall (people over 6’ usually feel scrunched in full sized beds). Still the full bed is a great option in a small studio apartment or one bedroom in the city where space comes at a premium. They allow you to make the most of your space, while still affording you more room and a more mature look than a twin bed. Queen sized bed frames are the most popular, because they easily fit two adults, and are less expensive than king and California king sizes, which most people don’t have the square footage for anyway. For the ultimate luxury, opt for a king or California king size bed frame. These offer plenty of space for you, your partner, and even the dog. These larger options are typically recommended for people who own their homes or are planning on staying in their current apartment or condo for a long time because they can be difficult to move and are so large that they may be too big for many standard sized bedrooms.
Once you’ve narrowed down your bed frame search to the right size and type for your needs, it’s time to consider material build. Deciding between a metal bed, wooden frame, or upholstered option is largely a personal choice that comes down to your unique aesthetic preferences. This is also the fun part, where we recommend turning to inspiration photos and Pinterest to get ideas of how you’d like your whole bedroom to come together. There are a few practical pros and cons of different materials to consider too. The frame you pick will have a direct impact on the health and longevity of your mattress. So while we all love a great bargain, you want to be sure to choose something that is made from high quality materials with a solid suspension system, like the frames available from TopModern.
Metal Beds
Metal beds are a popular option in homes with design aesthetics spanning from industrial to quaint. They can be dressed up to complement a range of rooms, and look right at home in a cabin in the woods or a downtown urban loft. They’re commonly manufactured from aluminum, iron, steel, or other sturdy alloy materials. You want to be sure to find a bed with a durable finish that won’t peel or fade. These beds are pragmatic because they are typically very sturdy and durable even with regular use and they are also generally very lightweight and can be moved or rearranged easily. Their metal construction means these beds have a very slim profile and won’t add much bulk or take away from valuable square footage. Brass beds with an antiqued finish will give your house a traditional feel, while modern wrought-iron styles are sleek and stylish.
Wood beds bring a natural warmth, organic appeal, and timeless elegance to your home. The wooden frame option is at once upscale and relaxed and reads like a blank canvas in your bedroom that will coordinate with almost any color palette and decor. You can choose from wooden frames constructed from popular hard and soft woods like pine, walnut, teak, mahogany, oak, and more. Custom stains let you achieve any color you prefer, while still letting the natural grain of the wood shine through. Wood craftsman expertly manufacture these beds to be stable and not warp or swell over time, though they can be more fickle than their metal counterparts and you may notice some shrinking when the temperature drastically changes.
Upholstered beds are the most common and popular, for a few reasons. This category includes frames upholstered with leather, suede, velvet, linen, and any other fabric you prefer. Most modern bed frames available from TopModern can be customized with dozens of fabric options so you can truly achieve a one of a kind look. This type of frame brings an inherent softness and warmth to your sleeping quarters, and many upholstered beds feature filled headboards so you can comfortably recline against them to read, browse the web, or enjoy breakfast in bed. Beneath the upholstery, these frames are typically constructed of a mix of metal and wood components that are completely hidden beneath layers of filling and upholstery but are still supremely sturdy. Keep in mind that leather upholstery will require specific upkeep and maintenance, while fabric upholstery is typically more vulnerable to stains from spills and other messes. You can opt for performance and easy-clean fabrics that will better stand up to wear and tear in households with children or pets.
The final thing to consider when choosing your next bed frame is what silhouette and style elements you prefer. One popular style is the platform bed frame, which brings a low profile, sleek styling, and ultra modern look. Sleigh beds have an unmistakable silhouette that drums up images of winter sleigh rides and usually features tufted upholstery. Panel beds are another popular choice in the modern design aesthetic, because they feature two simple panels as the headboard and footboard. The sleek, pared down styling is right in line with modern interior design’s favorite design trends. Poster beds include four tall posts at the corners of the bed frame and can give your bedroom a stately, romantic feel.
