Sleep in Style: How to Choose the Perfect Bed Frame

Your bedroom is where you escape after a long, hectic day, so you want it to be cozy and stylish. When decorating your sleeping space, start with a high-quality headboard and frame, topped off with a comfortable mattress. To pick the perfect bed frame, follow a few handy tips.

Consider Scale

Because of its size, a bed can sometimes overpower a sleeping space. Before you purchase a bed frame, research the dimensions, and use masking tape to create a mockup of the frame placement in your bedroom.

For a harmonious look and feel, consider scale — the size of your bed in relation to the square footage of your room and other objects in it, such as a chest and a nightstand. If you have lofty ceilings, then you can purchase a taller bed frame, such as a four-poster or canopy bed. For smaller spaces, try a compact frame with built-in storage.

Match Your Personal Style and Existing Decor

No matter what room you're decorating, think about your personal style and your current decor when picking furniture. When it comes to bed frames, each one adds unique character and style to your bedroom.

For a traditional design aesthetic, try a classic wooden bed frame featuring a carved headboard and footboard. Opt for a curved metal frame to match a country or farmhouse design, or choose a bed frame that blends distressed wood and metal for a sleek industrial look. If you love mid-century style, then shop for a platform frame featuring mod tapered legs made from teak or walnut. For a bare-bones minimalist look, pick a simple box-style platform bed without bells and whistles.

Learn More About Platform Beds

For some sleepers, a platform bed frame offers a distinct advantage over a traditional bed frame. Because the mattress is placed directly onto a flat platform instead of a box spring, the bed offers a firmer feel.

Here a few more advantages of a platform bed:

• Because it is low to the ground, a platform bed makes a good option for shorter people.
• A flat, platform frame is often more stable than many other bed frames.
• The absence of a box spring means you keep more money in your bank account.
• Many platform beds come with built-in storage in the form of drawers, baskets, or bins.

Consider the Height of Your Bed Frame

Your bed should be easy to get in at night and out of in the morning, so it's important to get a frame with the proper height. When sitting on the edge of your bed with your feet flat on the ground, you should be able to push against your mattress with your palms and stand up easily. When shopping for a bed frame, don't forget to add the thickness of your mattress in inches when determining height.

Look for Quality Construction

If you're shopping for a bed frame, remember that quality construction is important. To prevent your mattress from sagging, frames should feature a strong center rail running from head to foot and sturdy crosswise slats. The number of slats depends on the size of the bed, but they shouldn't be more than 2 1/2 inches apart.

Get the Right Mattress Size

Generally, mattresses come in twin, extra-long twin, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. To get a mattress in the appropriate size, check out the corresponding dimensions:

• Twin-sized frames measure 39 inches in width by 75 inches in length.
• Extra-long, twin-sized frames measure 39 inches in width by 80 inches in length.
• Full-sized (or double) frames measure 54 inches in width by 75 inches in length.
• Queen-sized frames measure 60 inches in width by 80 inches in length.
• King-sized frames measure 76 inches in width by 80 inches in length.
• California king-sized frames measure 72 inches in width by 84 inches in length.

A comfortable sleeping space starts with the perfect bed frame and mattress. If you're not ready to buy, then consider upgrading to an entire bedroom set from CORT Furniture Rental. Choose from luxe pillow top or memory foam mattresses, and find bed frames in a range of styles, from simple platform designs to bed frames featuring decorative headboards and footboards.