Bed Frames: What They Are & Why You Need One

Below, we’ll go over whether you need a bed frame for your mattress, along with the benefits and drawbacks that come with bed frames that you may want to consider.

What is a Bed Frame?

A bed frame is any type of mattress support and can be made from a wide range of materials, such as wood, metal, and even fabrics like leather. In short, a bed frame supports a mattress and a mattress base, such as a box spring or foundation. Typical components of a bed frame include the header, footer, legs, and side rails. However, more modern bed frames are sleek in design and contain just the side rails and legs to create a “floating” look that complements any room aesthetic.

Wood bed frame: Wood bed frames can come in multiple shapes and sizes, making them one of the most popular types of bed frames. Because wood is available in a variety of species and colors, there are countless bed frame styles you can choose from or even customize. Wood bed frames can include a headboard, footer, side rails, and often have wooden slats laid across the middle to support the mattress and encourage airflow.

Metal bed frame: Metal bed frames are becoming more popular due to their durability and contemporary design. These types of frames can support more weight, making them suitable for heavier mattresses like a memory foam mattress or hybrid mattress. The Layla bed frame is crafted from solid steel rails that can support up to 2500 pounds with zero noise and motion transfer. The Layla bed frame blends into any room it’s placed in, thanks to its fiberglass infused resin tapered legs, and can easily be assembled in minutes with no tools required.

Fabric bed frame: For those looking for a more decorative bed frame, you might want to consider a fabric bed frame. Fabric bed frames can be constructed from a variety of soft coverings with a design of your choice, and even higher-quality fabrics like leather.

So, why do we use bed frames? Bed frames are often used to keep mattresses off the floor and to provide more support. However, bed frames aren’t the only option you have when it comes to finding something to support your mattress. There are plenty of bed bases and frames to choose from, such as adjustable bed bases, platform beds, and foundations. What’s the difference between these types of bed bases and bed frames? Take a look at a brief overview of each below:

Now that you know what bed frames are and the different types of bed bases, do you need a bed frame? Not necessarily, but not using a bed frame isn’t always ideal. There are many benefits that come with giving your mattress a bed frame to rest on, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Benefits of a Bed Frame

We use bed frames for numerous reasons, such as allowing mattresses to have adequate airflow and keeping them off the ground where dust, dirt, and other allergens can accumulate. These are just some of the reasons why you might need a frame for a mattress. Consider the benefits below when you’re deciding whether you need a bed frame or not.

Mattress Support

Bed frames were designed to raise your mattress and provide support. Over the years, mattresses can sag due to applied pressure from your body night after night. Additionally, a mattress alone might not give your body the support it needs to get a good night’s sleep every night. With the help of a bed frame and a foundation or a box spring, you can give your body adequate support to prevent back pain, restlessness, and uncomfortableness.

Additionally, a bed frame ensures your mattress stays in place while you sleep. A mattress placed on the floor or on a box spring is prone to slipping and sliding when you move, which can cause scratches on your floor. With a bed frame, your mattress will be held firmly in place with its side rails, preventing your mattress from slipping right under you during the middle of the night.

Storage Space

Your bed can take up a lot of valuable real estate in your bedroom, especially if you have a larger bed like a king or queen. With a bed frame, your bed will be raised off of the ground, meaning there will be space underneath your bed for extra storage. It’s best to store items you don’t frequently use but still need, such as suitcases, extra comforters, pillows, and linens, along with winter clothes and footwear. To fully optimize your living space, you can invest in rolling totes and underneath bed storage to neatly organize your personal items without creating clutter.

Prevent Mold

You spend — or at least should spend — around 8 hours in bed sleeping every night. With over a third of your life spent sleeping, your mattress goes through a lot. While you’re asleep, body heat, sweat, and other fluids can seep into your mattress. If your bed is placed on the floor, it can easily get moldy, which can be detrimental to your health if inhaled over long periods of time. With a bed frame, your mattress will be raised from the floor, allowing air to circulate through your mattress and keep it clean and dry.

Additionally, a bed frame will prevent insects, dirt, and other debris from entering your mattress at night. Fleas, bed bugs, and mites are always looking for a place to crash, so if your bed is on the ground, it’ll become the next place for these little creatures to call home.

Aesthetics

A mattress plopped on the ground can make your bedroom look unfinished. A bed frame creates a polished look that can boost the overall aesthetic of your room. The best thing about bed frames is that they can come in different styles, which means you can find one that perfectly matches your room’s theme. Additionally, many people like to focus on the Feng Shui of their room. A raised bed with the help of a bed frame can direct energy flow and circulation throughout your room, making your sleeping space filled with positive vibes.

Drawbacks of a Bed Frame

As with any decision in life, there are some drawbacks. Just because you have a mattress doesn’t mean you always need a bed frame. It’s important to understand the disadvantages of bed frames before you make the purchase, which we’ll highlight below.

Price

Buying a mattress can be extremely expensive, depending on the quality of your mattress. Adding a bed frame into the mix can make your wallet hurt even more. While bed frames are typically cheaper than the mattress itself, they can cost a few hundred dollars or even a few thousand, depending on the style, brand, and materials of your bed frame. Make sure you set a price limit and create a budget when it comes time to invest in a bed frame.

Size

Depending on the size of your bedroom, a bed frame can make your room seem even smaller. Whether you’re in a tiny studio in New York City or are living with a roommate, a bed frame can take up some precious space. If you have a smaller living arrangement, make sure to get a sleek and minimal bed frame that isn’t cumbersome and bulky.

Noise

When you toss and turn at night, you don’t want to be woken up by a squeaky bed frame. Over time, your bed frame can become loose or worn down, causing it to become squeaky and noisy when you move around. Investing in a quality bed frame that’s screwed tightly together and made from durable materials can cut down on noise.

Does a mattress need a frame?

Does a moth need a flame? Ideally. If you’re deciding whether you need a bed frame or not, it’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks. A bed frame is necessary if you want to feel supported at night while you sleep. While bed frames can be pricey and bulky depending on the one you buy, they can prevent allergens, insects, and mold from entering your mattress, and will support your box spring or foundation for years to come. Whether you have a memory foam mattress, hybrid mattress, or innerspring mattress, a bed frame can be used to increase its lifespan and create a healthier and more sanitary sleeping environment.