California King Bed Frame: If you’ve got it, flaunt it— “it” meaning acres of square footage in your bedroom. What better way to make use of a huge bedroom than a California king bed frame? These mega mattresses clock in at 72 inches by 84 inches, so your California king bed frame should be at least that (with an extra inch or two on each side).
Types of bed frames
A lot of bed frames available online either offer shoddy designs, come swathed in upholstery straight out of the ‘80s, use cheap wood veneers, or some combination of the above. But there are quality frames that can elevate your mattress and your bedroom decor simultaneously.
Metal: Generally speaking, the most affordable bed frames are going to be made of metal. Solid metal must be a solid investment, you may think! Well, sorta. Because metal bed frames are designed for portability and deconstruction, they often skimp on bed slats and instead require a box spring, which comes at an added cost. Other downsides: The metal joints mean these frames are often big ol’ clankers, just one loose screw away from squeaking if you so much as cough. Still, if you’re a renter with low expectations and make moves every year or so, not having to put down roots with a heavy solid wood bed frame is actually pretty smart.
Wood: On the other end of the spectrum, wooden bed frames are the sturdiest options at your fingertips. Find yourself a handsome birch or walnut wood, and you’re setting yourself up for some solid construction that’ll last you many years. These tend to be much heavier and more expensive than a deconstructible metal frame, so they’re something you’ll want to buy once you’ve settled into a place.
FYI: Sometimes brands like to cut corners by using engineered wood. In the product description, look for terms like MDF or particle board, which are cheaper, less-natural-looking wood products made up of wood fibers and a layer of veneer. Not all engineered wood furniture is low-quality, but a solid wood bed will look better and last longer. And if you want to buy a bed frame you can keep in your family for generations, maple, cherry, oak, and ash are known to be the most durable hardwoods for indoor furniture. Rubberwood is another sturdy option that has the added benefit of being eco-friendly (the rubber tree is a fast-growing tree that can be harvested quickly—insert “the more you know” gif here).
Upholstered: Other options are upholstered beds swathed in fabrics like velvet or linen, which can look pretty dated depending on the material, but provide the softest-looking finish if you’re jonesing for something cozier than an industrial metal frame.
Headboard: And though the most popular style du jour is a no-frills, Japanese-style wood platform bed, you can also find plenty of modern beds that come with headboards and storage space, or at least the option to add them on.
Construction
Another thing to keep in mind is the way the slats, the joinery, or the frame itself has been engineered. This will usually clue you in on the kind of support you’ll get. In some instances, the slats are secured into the frame itself, which helps keep everything locked down, but it can also cause creaking as the slats move against the frame. In others, slats fit into designated slots (and aren’t attached to the frame itself) or don’t use slats at all. If you aren’t very DIY-inclined, you may prefer the best bed frames from Thuma, Avocado, or Helix, which are designed to fit together with Japanese joinery so that it’s easy to assemble and disassemble as needed—no tools required.
FAQs
What is the best bed frame brand?
Helix’s Madison Bed Frame reigned supreme as the best bed frame after thorough testing, thanks to its high-quality construction and solid price. But if that exact model doesn’t mesh with your style, the brand offers bed frames crafted with built-in headboards and metal bases. You can even complete your sleep experience with a mattress from the company, one of which we called the best luxury mattress-in-a-box.
Which bed frames are the most sturdy?
You’re least likely to experience earthquake-level wobbling with a solid wood bed frame. They tend to have greater longevity than metal bed frames and create minimal noise, and many support upward of a thousand pounds. They generally have a higher price tag than other options, but you’re sure to get your money’s worth of restful nights.
Do you need a box spring with a bed frame?
Generally, you won’t need a box spring with your bed frame if the latter has plenty of slats running between the rails, known as a platform bed frame. Metal frames tend to require box springs more so than wooden varieties, but the price also reflects this; you’ll be able to score a metal frame for a fraction of the price since it uses fewer materials.
How much do bed frames cost?
Bed frames can run you anywhere from $150 to $1,800, depending on the types of materials used, the size, and the box spring requirement. Solid wood bed frames tend to cost more than metal ones, as do options with attached headboards. The good news: This list offers the best bed frames for practically any budget, style, and mattress size.
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