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Best Sleigh Beds

Updated November 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
White Gaytes Low Profile Sleigh Bed
White Gaytes
Low Profile Sleigh Bed
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Easy to Build
Bottom Line

Durable and easy to build bed with a combined design of traditional and modern technology.

Pros

Sturdy and easy to build, this elegant frame has varied headboard finishes that go with any bedroom decoration. Includes center supports, a footboard, and headboards. Comes with a clear instruction manual on how to assemble.

Cons

A few users complained about construction defects where the pieces of metal meet.

Best Bang for the Buck
Bentsworth Upholstered Low Profile Sleigh Bed by Orren Ellis
Orren Ellis
Bentsworth Upholstered Low Profile Sleigh Bed
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Trendy Curvy Design
Bottom Line

Soft faux-cushioned sleigh bed made with durable woods and polyurethane foam gives a modern curvy appearance, illuminating and redefining your room.

Pros

Fashioned with durable faux leather, wood, and soft polyurethane foam for a contemporary wavy look. Lowered to floor with slats so it doesn't require an additional platform. Illuminating bright light on the headboard redefines the room.

Cons

No written assembling directions except for pictures that are difficult to understand.

Harper and Bright Designs Wood Platform Twin Sleigh Bed
Harper and Bright Designs
Wood Platform Twin Sleigh Bed
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Compact Design
Bottom Line

Compact sleigh bed that retains the classic elements while still being space-savvy. Available in 3 popular finishes that match most décor.

Pros

Doesn’t require a box spring. Construction is solid; bed has a reasonable amount of weight to it at 72.6 pounds. Ideal for older kids and teens. Could be turned into guest room furniture.

Cons

Only available for twin beds. Some people dislike the contrast hardware against the finish. Weight capacity is only 220 pounds.

Tomaszewski Upholstered Low Profile Sleigh Bed by Mistana™
Mistana™
Tomaszewski Upholstered Low Profile Sleigh Bed
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Unique Design
Bottom Line

Boost your bedroom decor with this uniquely-styled low bed with sturdy plywood slats, padded headboard, and 4 solid wood legs providing a noise-free sleep.

Pros

Sturdily-built frame and 4 strong wood legs provide bed stability and durability. Upholstered headboard, footboard, and non-squeaking plywood for comfortable and peaceful sleep. Retro modern design with guard rails to keep your mattress from sliding off while enhancing your bedroom decor.

Cons

Extra middle legs aren't as sturdy as the 4 on the sides.

Light Gray Rick Upholstered Low Profile Platform Bed
Wade Logan
Light Gray Rick Upholstered Low Profile Platform Bed
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Upholstered with LED Lights
Bottom Line

Solid faux-leather upholstered bed with remote controlled LED lights and a color background mode.

Pros

Upholstered with quality faux leather. Remote-controlled LED lights in 4 colors of 12 shades for different moods. Comes with a headboard and footboard and you won’t need a box spring to support it. Assembling is also quite easy.

Cons

You’ll need to be next to the bed to change the lights with the remote.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for best sleigh beds

Are you considering redecorating your bedroom? If you’re doing a complete overhaul, you’re probably thinking about changing the furniture — namely, the bed. As the name implies, it’s certainly the focal point of the bedroom. It’s no surprise that the rest of the room is usually designed around it, which is why you should consider a sleigh bed.

Sleigh beds feature a classic design with a gently curving headboard and footboard. They’re known for a regal, elongated profile that is romantic and welcoming. Traditionally made of wood, sleigh beds have also adopted modern trends to keep them in the forefront of bedroom interior design. They’re now made of metal and fabric, and in some cases, embrace trundle bed features. If you’re sold on the silhouette, sleigh beds are also manufactured for children’s beds, and there are even convertible styles for toddlers and young children.

If you see a sleigh bed in your immediate future, it’s time to do your homework. We’re chiming in with this definitive buying guide, so you can choose the right one to help you rest easy. Check out our favorites, too.

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While you can assemble the sleigh bed with hand tools, it will take you a fraction of the time if you use power tools.

Key considerations

Components

Scrolled headboard and footboard: Sleigh beds are best known for their scrolled headboard and footboard. While there’s always a scrolled headboard, there are some design differences when it comes to the footboard. Generally speaking, the footboard is much smaller than the headboard, and in some beds there’s no footboard at all. These designs are simpler, and if you’re short on space in your bedroom, one might save you an extra couple inches.

Feet: Sleigh bed feet can be just as stylish as the rest of the bed. Simple feet are wooden pegs, while more ornate designs include round, scrolled, and cabriole. Certain feet are also equipped with felt or nonslip pads to prevent damage to floors.

Frame: The long bed rails can be simple and unembellished or embrace the rest of the sleigh bed’s ornate design. Rails can feature crown molding, carving, or even drawers. Regardless of the exterior design, their main function, along with the perpendicular slats, is to provide a solid foundation to support the mattress.

Size

Sleigh beds are available in any bed size, but with that said, not every sleigh bed design comes in all sizes. The most common sizes by far are king and queen. It’s harder to find sleigh beds for twin and full mattresses, and there are only a handful of toddler sleigh beds on the market.

Box spring

When it comes to box springs, about half of sleigh beds need one. Others are designed to accommodate just the mattress. If your mattress is unusually soft, it might lack adequate support resting on just the slats. Sleigh beds that require a box spring don’t usually come with one. You will need to purchase one separately.

Assembly

Given their size, sleigh beds arrive at your home unassembled. If you have power tools, you can put it together yourself, a task that will be much easier with a second pair of hands. More complicated beds can take hours to assemble, in which case, calling an expert is recommended.

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Expert Tip
Since sleigh beds sit higher off the floor than some other beds, they’re an ideal choice for individuals who have difficulty getting in and out of bed or bending down to make the bed.
STAFF
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Features

Materials

Wood: Wood is by far the most popular material choice for sleigh beds. Mahogany, cherry, pine, and walnut are common, and some sleigh beds feature a combination of woods. Wood is relatively easy to maintain, and certain styles are budget-friendly, but if they get scratched, the repairs can be rather costly.

Metal: Metal is growing in popularity for sleigh beds, especially for simple and country chic décor. Some metal beds incorporate wood accents to achieve a modern, mixed-media look. While metal is modestly priced and can change the entire look of a bedroom, a metal bed frame may require regular retightening of the hardware.

Upholstery: For a truly regal, over-the-top look, there are also upholstered sleigh beds. In these styles, the traditional wood or metal frame is covered in velvet, tapestry, or heavyweight linen. Upholstered sleigh beds certainly elevate the bedroom with a romantic vibe, but the fabric covering can be difficult to clean if there’s a major stain.

Designs

Sleigh beds have some design variations, but not many. There are hybrid trundle styles that incorporate drawers or compartments and sometimes an additional mattress for a second sleeper. While harder to find, they’re an ideal choice if you need additional storage and your room can’t accommodate an extra dresser.

Convertible toddler sleigh beds are becoming popular, because the rails are removable once your child is old enough to sleep safely without them. One is ideal if you want your child to have quality bedroom furniture. Once they outgrow it, the sleigh bed can be enjoyed as additional seating in a playroom until your child reaches the weight limit, which is usually 50 pounds.

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Expert Tip
If you like the idea of extra storage options, look for a hybrid sleigh/trundle bed with drawers.
STAFF
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Accessories

Furniture sliders: SuperSliders
Sleigh beds can be heavy, and moving one can be quite an ordeal, so make the job easier on yourself. We like these furniture sliders by SuperSliders, which make it simple to slide large furniture by yourself. This set comes with a smooth plastic surface for carpets and plush covers for hardwood floors.

Accent throw: Bourina Textured Throw
An accent throw is a nice finishing touch for your sleigh bed. We like this 50 x 60-inch cyan throw from Bourina, whose texture is simple yet adds a bit of depth. Made from super-soft 100% acrylic, it also has tassels that, when draped over the sleigh bed, add elegance to your whole bedding set.

Accent pillow cover: OiseauVoler Throw Pillow Cases
Add a finishing touch to a freshly made bed with new accent pillow covers. We like these from OiseauVoler, which feature a neutral background and 3D sunflowers. Since they’re available in a dozen colors, it’s easy to find one that complements your bedding and bedroom décor.

Sleigh bed prices

Sleigh beds are priced between $225 and $2,500. It’s a broad range that depends on a number of variables, including size, materials, and durability.

Inexpensive: For $225 to $400, you’ll find mostly toddler, twin, and full sleigh beds made of wood. There are some queen and king beds in this range, but not many. Some designs in this range are poor quality, so you’ll need to closely examine yours after assembly.

Mid-range: For $400 to $1,000, you have a much bigger selection when it comes to materials and sizes. Not only are there traditional wood styles, there are also modern ones made of metal and fabric. Sleigh beds in this range are generally good to great quality, so it’s where you’ll get the most bang for your buck.

Expensive: For $1,000 and up, expect to see high-quality sleigh beds made from the finest wood from premium furniture brands. As these designs are more sophisticated, the beds often require expert assembly. With that said, these sleigh beds definitely stand the test of time, so one makes a worthwhile long-term investment.

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Expert Tip
Maintain the finish of your sleigh bed by regularly treating it with the appropriate products. Wood beds do well with furniture polish, and most metal beds do well with dish soap and water.
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Tips

  • Measure first. If the sleigh bed is larger than your old bed, take measurements to see whether it will fit in your bedroom with ample space around it. You might need to rearrange furniture to accommodate it.
  • Upgrade your bedding. Since you’re already enjoying a brand-new bed, treat yourself to a new bedding set for a refresh, new look.
  • Stain other furniture to match. If your major expenditure is a sleigh bed, you can save money on the rest of your bedroom furniture by investing in an inexpensive wood set and staining or finishing it to match the bed.
  • Clean under the sleigh bed. Since sleigh beds are raised, remember to dust and vacuum underneath yours. Use a dust mop with a long handle to reach if you’re unable to move the bed.

Other products we considered

We like the romantic look of the Baxton Studio Platform Sleigh Bed. Fully upholstered in velvet, its crown jewel is the quilted velvet headboard with faux crystal buttons. The black painted feet add a touch of regal elegance at the bottom. With a sprung slatted base, you don’t even need to use a box spring if your mattress is firm enough on its own. For an added touch of sophistication, this sleigh bed sits higher off the floor than others.

To add a charming touch to a children’s bedroom, consider the DaVinci Sleigh Toddler Bed. It meets CPSC safety standards, as well as ASTM international safety standards, and has a non-toxic finish that is lead- and phthalate-free. The bed is made of New Zealand pine, and the side rails are ultra-sturdy to protect your toddler. Available in espresso, rich cherry, and white, there’s a finish to match any décor. 

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For a styled look, choose statement pillows with bold embellishments, such as faux fur, rhinestones, tassels, or fun prints.

FAQ

Q. I scratched my wooden sleigh bed. Now what?
A.
If you’d like to play it safe, you can defer to a carpenter or furniture expert to treat the scratch. Depending on how large or deep it is, you might be able to handle it yourself. There are many scratch-repair products on the market, some of which just color the scratch while others fill it with synthetic materials of the same color. Once you fix the scratch, you might need to retreat it occasionally. Another option is to sand down the wood and refinish it.


Q. What’s the best way to style a sleigh bed when it’s made?
A.
Besides bold pillows, which are an easy addition, consider adding an eye-catching accent throw to the end of the bed. You could choose one with a wild design made of chunky, ornate materials, or you could dig in your own closet and add a knitted or crocheted throw. You could also layer thinner throws across one corner of the bed. Place a plain one on the bottom and then add a bolder throw with patterns or embellishments on top.


Q. Do I have to get the rest of the matching bedroom furniture when I purchase a sleigh bed?
A.
No. If you’re getting a wooden bed and want it to match the furniture you already have, stick to the same finish. If you love a wooden sleigh bed, but the finish is completely different than your bedroom furniture, it’s worth refinishing. Most metal sleigh beds, especially wrought iron, are versatile enough to fit in with most wooden furniture styles.