Are you tired of sleeping on the inexpensive bargain basement beds of your youth and have finally decided that an investment in your sleep comfort and style is well worth considering? If so, you may have already realized that there are many, many options available to you, and just because the price tag is high, doesn’t mean it is the best quality. This most likely has you asking what is a reasonable price and exactly how much is a bed frame worth?
A bed frame most likely could last you for many years to come, and so the overall price should reflect so much more than monetary value, but also reflect your style of furniture and comfort preferences.
Picking Out the Perfect Bed Frame
Quality and durability are always an important consideration but so is decorative aesthetics. Below is a brief outline of what you may want to take into consideration when looking to purchase a new bed frame. The cost of a bedframe is difficult to narrow down as there are many variables that need to be taken into consideration. If all you are looking for is something to keep your mattress off the floor, you most likely won’t have to spend much more than $100 for a quality steel frame as explained below. But if you want a frame that incorporates expensive materials, such as leather or rare woods, or additional furniture choices, such as bookcases, you will be paying much more.
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Size Considerations
Obviously, the size mattress you have (or want) will reflect on the size bed frame you need. You have to match your twin, full size, queen, or king sized mattress to the respective frame size. The larger the frame, the more materials are used in its construction- raising the overall cost. Furthermore, if you have an odd sized mattress, such as a California king, you will have a more limited choice from which to pick and may have additional costs.
Mattress Type
You also will need to pay close attention to the type of mattress you have. Not all frames support all mattress types, although most frames can be easily adapted to accept any mattress. However, the addition of a bunkie board or other products to create a proper mattress support will raise your overall frame cost.
– Innerspring
Mattresses made with internal springs to provide flex, support, and contouring used to be just about all you could purchase- but through the years, more and more materials have been introduced to the sleep industry. Despite this, spring supported mattresses are still a very popular pick but do require a box spring for proper weight support and even distribution.
Boxsprings raise the overall profile height of your mattress, and bed frames that have a headboard and footboard can quickly disappear behind the height if it is not constructed to include the extra height of the box spring. Fortunately, this doesn’t necessarily mean there is an additional cost for such a common need.
– Foam
Many foam mattresses, particularly memory foam choices, need a very supportive surface- such as closely spaced boards or even a flat surface. Platform frames are a very popular pick for these types of mattresses and are offered in everything from basic simple design to more elaborate choices that incorporate more expensive materials and optional design preferences.
In general, a very basic platform style frame can be used with any sort of mattress (although it may increase the overall firmness of the mattress), and they are usually the most cost-effective frame choice you can pick from.
– Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses include both innerspring and foam construction for a firm yet contouring sleep surface. Depending on how it is made, it may need a platform style frame but may also work well with a box spring. The manufacturer of your particular model should be able to provide the information you need to choose the best frame for the mattress type. But the bottom line is, no extra cost should be associated with a hybrid mattress.
Materials
Bed frames can be made from many different types of materials, all of which can greatly influence the cost of the frame. Your choice of material doesn’t have to change the overall quality or effectiveness of your choice, however. As mentioned, the expense does not always equal durability.
– Steel Metal Base Frame
If all you are looking to do is get your bed up off the floor, you can look to a simple steel metal frame. These are solidly built, inexpensive, hold your bedspring and mattress in a stable manner, and work well with a bed skirt to hide the spacious storage that you can take advantage of underneath. These also work well with your choice of headboards and footboards that can be bought or even made separately if you want to add to or change your style.
– Metal or Brass Traditional Style
Occasionally less expensive but of a more traditional frame are those made of simple steel or brass design. Most of these models incorporate a steel metal base with head and footboards of scrolling or pipe-style design. These are simple, fit well into any decor, and are a good choice for an elegant look when on a budget.
– Solid Wood
Solid wood is also going to be a more pricey option, but it is often much more detailed and of a high quality to create a piece of furniture that could easily become an heirloom piece. Hardwood choices, such as oak or maple, are going to be more expensive, while pine will be much less expensive but still of good quality. If a more exotic wood, such as teak or mahogany is used, you can expect to pay more.
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– Particle Board
Probably the least expensive models you can find of a solid looking bed frame is a pressed particle board with a vinyl cover to make it look like wood. These come in varying degrees of strength and quality, and this is often reflected in the price. From all outward appearances, these usually look like a solid wood frame but are made from compressed and glued wood chips.
– Hardwood/Particle Board Blend
More expensive than a particle board and vinyl cover but are less expensive than a solid wood choice. Often, these are hard to discern from a solid wood frame and provide a longer lasting product compared to a less expensive choice.
Headboards and Footboards
Some beds come with a simple frame or platform and others come with a headboard or headboard-and-footboard combination. Obviously, the more material used, the more of an added cost you will have. As mentioned, a basic metal base and headboard can be purchased separately to add personalized touches and keep within a budget.
Some headboards, footboards, and even side boards may contain purposeful storage in the way of shelving or drawers. These are often built into wood or wood blend frames and reflect the cost of the extra work as well.
DIY Choices
Solid and stable bed frames, as well as decorative headboards, can be made rather easily and inexpensively. Platform beds are especially easy to make and can be made to look quite professional with a bit of extra care during sanding and finishing of the wood.
Second-Hand Frames
You can almost always find bed frames in second-hand stores. Sometimes complete beds or only headboards are easy to buy. They can be easily incorporated into a metal base if needed. These types of buys may limit you in style but rarely in function as often antique or second-hand donations take only products that are in good shape. Many times these are solid wood with dozens of durable choices that are an excellent bargain to boot.
Conclusion
In reflection, you can most definitely provide a stable, durable base for your mattress even when limited by a budget. With a little ingenuity, you can even make your own or piece together a very unique and completely customizable frame. For a basic metal base, you can expect to spend around $100, but many inexpensive twin frames also start in that range as well. Of course, the cost is always changeable, but in general, if you are willing to take the time to look around and truly refuse to settle, you can most likely find exactly what you need and want.
If you have any questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you below. Consequently, if you have any suggestions concerning how to best utilize a budget for quality furniture, please share!