Buying guide for Best king bed frames
If you want a spacious bed with plenty of room to stretch out, choose a king bed frame. The widest standard bed size, it measures a whopping 76 inches across, so you'll never again need to argue about who's taking up more of the bed. You can find a wide range of king bed frames on the market, so you're sure to find something you love, but so much choice can make it more difficult to pick.
The more you know, however, the easier it is to find your perfect king bed frame. You'll need to choose between a platform frame, which is suitable for any type of mattress, and a box spring frame, which accommodates a box spring between the frame and mattress. Other important factors to think about include material, color, style, and height from the ground, as well as whether it has a headboard and footboard.
Key considerations
Box spring vs. platform
At one time, a box spring was the standard surface on which to rest your mattress, so you needed a bed frame designed to hold a box spring. With the advent of memory foam mattresses and the simplicity of platform bed frames, box springs are falling in popularity.
Box spring: A frame designed to hold a box spring is simple with no supportive slats. These frames tend to be inexpensive, but you also need to factor in the cost of the box spring itself, which can be upwards of $200. Frames for box springs aren't suitable for use with memory foam and other foam mattresses because the slats are too far apart and can cause the mattress to sag.
Platform: These king bed frames consist of a frame with a platform to support your mattress. Occasionally, this is a solid platform, but it usually has tightly spaced wooden slats. While it's recommended that you only use memory foam mattresses on platform frames, you can also use an innerspring mattress on a platform frame. Unless you're completely set on using a box spring, we'd recommend the versatility and simplicity of a platform bed frame.
Materials
Metal: These king bed frames are durable yet affordable, offering you an excellent balance of sturdiness and price. You can find metal frames in a range of styles, from simple, modern ones with clean lines to traditional metal frames with elaborate headboards and footboards.
Wood: These bed frames are a classic choice, though the quality varies widely. Cheap wooden bed frames tend to be less sturdy than metal bed frames of a comparable price, whereas mid-range and high-end wooden bed frames can be strong enough to last generations. You have plenty of style options with wooden frames, from simple to rustic to highly traditional. Different woods give you different colors and finishes, plus light woods are often stained in a range of hues, and painted wood is also an option.
Upholstered: These bed frames have an inner frame made of wood or metal while the exterior is upholstered in fabric. You can find a range of different fabrics, including smooth cotton or polyester, plush velvet, and sleek faux leather. A soft or plush fabric gives you a more comfortable headboard to lean against when you're sitting up in bed.
You can buy an adjustable king bed frame that allows you to adjust your recline angle from flat to upright, but you'll need to check to see if your new or current mattress is compatible.
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Features
Headboards and footboards
King bed frames can have both a headboard and a footboard, just a headboard, or no headboard or footboard.
Traditional: As a rule, more traditional frame styles tend to have either a headboard and a footboard or just a headboard, and these range from slightly decorative to highly ornate. It can be more comfortable to sit up in bed with a headboard, and it helps keep the pillows in place, while the footboard is mostly decorative.
Contemporary: More contemporary bed frames have either a simple headboard or forgo both headboard and footboard completely. Most people manage perfectly well without a headboard or footboard.
Storage
Some king bed frames include built-in storage, which is useful for keeping spare linens, extra blankets and pillows, or even clothes if you have limited closet space. Usually, this built-in storage takes the form of drawers under the bed, though some beds have other storage options, such as those that lift up to reveal storage space under the mattress and slats.
Style
It makes sense to choose a bed frame that matches your current decorative style unless you intend to redo your bedroom completely. Traditional beds look great in rooms with classic or fairly conservative décor, while sleek, modern beds look great in contemporary-style rooms. Rustic beds can pair well with both classic and contemporary styles of décor.
Color or finish
When choosing the best color or finish for your bed, consider your existing décor. For example, if all of your wooden furniture has a cherry finish, a dark espresso bed will look out of place. Neutrals, such as white, black, or gray work well with most color schemes. In bedrooms with fairly simple décor and white or off-white walls, you might want to choose a bright hue for your bed to add a pop of color.
Did You Know?
Bed frames don't make a huge difference to your overall nighttime comfort. Choosing the best mattress is more important in this respect.
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King bed frame prices
Inexpensive: You can find cheap king bed frames for as little as $100 to $250. These frames tend to be basic, though you can find some solid and reliable options at this price point.
Mid-range: Expect to pay between $250 and $500 for a mid-priced king bed frame. This range includes all kinds of wooden, metal, and upholstered beds, some of which are extremely stylish.
Expensive: High-end king bed frames cost from $500 to over $2,000. At the high end of this spectrum, you'll find designer frames and highly ornate beds. At the lower end, you'll find some high-quality bed frames, though nothing exceptionally ornate.
Low-profile beds are ideal for attic rooms where the ceiling is lower than average.
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Tips
- Consider the ease of assembly. The simpler your bed frame looks, the easier it's likely to be to put together. A basic frame without a headboard or footboard will probably only take around 30 minutes to put together, while a complex frame with built-in storage could take a couple of hours, and you might need a helper, too.
- Decide on fixed or sprung slats. Fixed slats are flat and solid, while sprung slats curve upward slightly and have some give to them. The latter adjust to your body somewhat as you move and sleep.
- Think about the rest of your bedroom furnishings. Your new king bed frame should look good with your existing furnishings. You might want them to match in style, color, or both.
FAQ
Q. Do I really need a king-size bed or is it overkill?
A. This is really up to you and depends on your circumstances. A king bed measures 76 inches across, so if you sleep alone, it probably is too large. If you share a bed with a partner and each of you likes plenty of space, then it might be plenty large enough. Likewise, if kids and pets often end up in your bed throughout the night, the larger your bed the better.
Q. Do I need to buy a new mattress when replacing a bed frame?
A. There's no rule that says you have to replace your mattress when you buy a new bed frame, but it might be a good time to think about when you last replaced it. You should replace your mattress roughly every seven years, so if you're approaching the seven-year mark or your mattress is sagging or has become uncomfortable, now might be the perfect time to replace it. Of course, if you're sizing up from a smaller bed frame to a king bed frame, you'll need a bigger mattress, too.
Q. Where can I find furniture that matches my bed frame?
A. If you want furniture that matches your bed exactly, choose a manufacturer that makes matching sets of bedroom furniture. That way you can get dressers, wardrobe, and bedside tables in the same style. Otherwise, you'll need to find furniture in the same color or finish and in a similar style.
