Modern Bed Buying Guide: How to Choose a Bed Frame
A good night’s sleep is integral to overall wellness – and a good bed is integral to a restful night’s sleep. A good bed is more than just a good mattress: Your choice of bed frame can enhance the comfort and longevity of your mattress, making it a critical component to the perfect bed. As the centerpiece of your bedroom, your bed also plays a role in setting the tone and style of your space. So, how do you choose the right bed frame?
In this bed frame buying guide, we simplify this decision, starting with the difference between a platform bed frame and a standard bed frame – and ending with some of the bed frame features that you might come across as you shop. For personalized recommendations, consider complimentary Design Concierge at Design Within Reach. DWR Associates can create room plans, help you choose the right furniture for your bedroom, and design 3D renderings so you can visualize the results – all free of charge. For quick tips or to book an appointment, click the black chat icon in the bottom right corner of your browser.
Table of Contents
Types of Bed Frames
Bed Frame Materials
Bed Frame Features
Bed Frame Types: Platform Bed Frames vs. Traditional Bed Frames
In your search for the perfect bed, you’ll likely come across two distinct types of bed frames: those that require box springs, and those that do not. Bed frames that require box springs are often considered standard or traditional bed frames, while those that do not are a more contemporary choice.
What is a box spring?
A box spring offers a foundation for your mattress and is usually made with a slatted wood or metal frame filled with flexible wire coils and covered in upholstery. The use of box springs became standard when innerspring mattresses replaced the cotton- or fiber-filled mattresses of old, as coil-filled box springs enhanced the comfort of coil-filled mattresses. Now, with the popularity of plush, comfortable foam, gel, and hybrid mattresses, box springs are less necessary – but can still be useful. Box springs elevate mattresses farther off the floor as well as increase breathability, shock absorption, and longevity of innerspring mattresses. They also add structure and support to bed frames that cannot support mattresses on their own.
What is a platform bed frame?
A platform bed frame is a bed frame designed to support a mattress without a box spring, made with a wood or metal frame and supportive slats spanning laterally across it. Some platform bed frames are as simple as that – a well-crafted slatted wood or metal platform with legs – while others are enhanced with features such as upholstery, four-poster canopies, and built-in headboards and storage compartments. Many platform beds are low-profile and complement sleek minimalist and modern bedroom aesthetics. All of the modern bed frames available at Design Within Reach are platform beds, designed to support a good night’s sleep without the use of bulky box springs.
Modern Bed Frame Materials
Wood
Solid wood bed frames are typically made of oak, walnut, and ash, showcasing not only the natural beauty of the wood grain but also expert craftsmanship. Functional and beautiful, wood bed frames are a popular choice if you’re looking for a mid-century modern bed. Many modern wood bed frames highlight the beauty of simplicity, featuring meticulously crafted details, such as tapered legs, rounded or beveled edges, louvered panels, and handsome joinery. Wood bed frames may be stained, ebonized, or painted.
Metal
Powder-coated steel bed frames are among the simplest bed frames. Though some metal bed frames feature built-in footboards and headboards, others do not, allowing you to mix and match compatible pieces to customize your perfect bed. If you’re looking for a blank canvas, DWR's Metal Bed Frame is a durably constructed, pared-down bed frame designed for use with many of DWR’s modern headboards.
Upholstery
The epitome of luxe relaxation, upholstered bed frames feature soft, cushioned upholstery. Some upholstered beds are sleek and chic like the arched Demi Bed, while others are ultra-plush, like the luxurious Kelston Bed. These bed frames are available in a wide range of leathers and fabrics, including stain-resistant Crypton fabrics, to provide maximum comfort without sacrificing style. Some upholstered beds may also feature tufting or exposed stitching.
Combination
Mixed-material bed frames highlight the beauty and utility of multiple materials. Many combination bed frames balance comfort and form, pairing upholstered headboards and footboards with exposed wood or metal legs. A wood bed frame perfectly complements a handwoven cord or cane headboard. If you’re looking to incorporate some contrast into your modern bedroom, consider a mixed-material bed frame.
Platform Bed Frame Features
Storage
Ideal for bedrooms in need of additional storage, storage bed frames are equipped with built-in storage features such as drawers, a storage compartment beneath the mattress, and even nightstands. Under-bed drawers and compartments provide the added benefit of hidden storage, maximizing otherwise unused space beneath the bed. Storage beds at DWR feature smooth-operating gas pistons and soft-closing, full-extension drawers for maximum storage and minimum strain.
Headboards + Footboards
Design a cohesive room with a modern bed that features a bed frame with a built-in headboard and footboard. With this option, you won’t need to worry about the compatibility of your bed frame and headboard, and you can ensure your fabrics, wood finishes, and materials match. At DWR, many bed frames offer a high headboard option for king and queen sizes so you can further customize your modern bed. If you’d rather a simple bed frame, consider pairing DWR’s basic Metal Bed Frame with any DWR Collection Headboard.
Low Profiles
With no need for box springs, many platform beds feature a modern low profile, but some bring sleep even further down to earth. Elevated only a few inches off the floor, a low-profile bed frame can make a great addition to a minimalist bedroom with a serene, grounded atmosphere. Low-profile beds often feature a wide mattress platform that offers a surface for bedside necessities, such as a phone, book, or tablet.
Final Tips
Keep these bed-buying tips in mind as you shop:
- Choose a piece that is equally aesthetically pleasing and pragmatic — a style that plays well with your home’s interiors.
- Be mindful of height: Low beds are aesthetically appealing, but getting in and out of them may be challenging for those with back problems. And don’t forget – the thickness of your mattress will add to the height of your bed.
- If your bed is placed against a window, note the height of your windowsills and ensure your bed’s headboard will fit beneath it.
- For a cohesive bedroom, shop bedroom sets – many of DWR’s beds are parts of bedroom furniture collections with beds, nightstands, dressers, and more pieces that feature matching materials and design details.