When you think of a bed, you probably associate it with the mattress. After all, it’s the pad you sleep directly on—the piece of furniture that gives your body support while it rests, right?
Your mattress does provide support. But so does the bed frame—it’s the foundation of the bed; the place you put the mattress upon; the framework that gives it stability, support, and style. Without this bed base, your mattress will look marooned and naked on the floor. And it won’t be nearly as hygienic, restricting airflow and welcoming unwanted guests like mold and mildew.
But with so many Casper bed frame options available, how do you select the right one? That’s why we built this guide to teach you everything you need to know about bed frames.
From platform bed frames to upholstered bed frames, we have the base you need for a cozy night’s sleep.
What’s a Bed Frame?
A bed frame is designed to provide even support for a box spring and the mattress. Sometimes referred to as a bedstead, they can describe a wide variety of support structures built specifically for mattresses and box springs. Traditionally, this includes the header, footer, legs, and side rails. But the more modern bed frame type can be more minimalist, with sleeker designs to create a “floating” appearance.
You might be surprised to discover that bed frames came before modern spring mattresses, which weren’t even invented until the mid-1800’s. In the days before mass production mattresses, comfortable beds were a luxury. In most cases, they were simply cloth cases stuffed with grasses, straw, wool, cotton, or down feathers (if you were wealthy).
Because they were stuffed with materials, they tended to be lumpy and uneven, especially when placed on the ground. This wasn’t exactly a recipe for a comfy night’s sleep.
So, inventive craftsmen created a solution for the issue—the simple bed frame.
Similar to a cot, these wooden frames had rope support crisscrossing the entire frame. By suspending and buttressing the materials within the mattress, bed frames improved comfort and back support. Both sleep and interior design were aided by this invention which is why it is important to know how to choose a bed frame that’s perfect for you.
Bed Frame vs. Bed Base: What’s the Difference?
While the terms bed frame and bed base are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important distinctions. A bed frame is the full structure that provides support to your mattress and sometimes includes a headboard and footboard. It can be made of wood, metal, or fabric-wrapped materials, and often includes slats or a panel structure for support.
A bed base, on the other hand, typically refers to the platform or support system that holds the mattress. It may be a solid foundation or slatted structure that is placed under the mattress. A bed base is often simpler and lower-profile than a bed frame, providing basic support without the additional design elements of a frame.
Do You Absolutely Need a Bed Frame?
No, you don’t absolutely need a bed frame, but it helps. Sleeping with your mattress on the floor works fine for some people, but a bed frame gives better support, keeps your mattress off the ground (away from dust, bugs, and moisture), and can make getting in and out of bed easier. It also helps with airflow, which can keep your mattress cleaner and lasting longer. So while it’s not a must, a bed frame definitely has its benefits.
How Much Does a Bed Frame Cost?
Finding a bed frame to suit your individual style can be tricky but is not impossible. There is an abundance of options to choose from at every price point, ranging from vintage designs to contemporary pieces, and even industrial looks.
Typically the cost of the bed frame can be quite varied. You can get one at $200 to even $1000 or more. The cost can depend on the materials used to make it, the size, the style, and of course, the brand of the bed frame.
Bed Frame Materials
The world of sleep has evolved dramatically over the centuries. The earliest bed frames were rudimentary and plain compared to the modern varieties today. When it comes to figuring out how to choose a bed frame it is essential to consider that most of these styles are designed to maximize aesthetics, support, and comfort.
Depending on your decor, bed size, and storage desires, you’ll typically have one of three options for materials:
Wood
The very first bed frames were made from wood. Hundreds of years later, they still haven’t gone out of style—the most famous being the “four-poster bed.” These tend to be sturdier pieces of furniture meant to give the space a sense of weightiness. A pricier wooden bed frames will use solid wood for the panels, support, header, and footboard. Cheaper wooden bed frame varieties will use particleboard covered with wood vinyl.
Metal
A metal bed frame design provides a sturdy and more minimalist framework without sacrificing support. Commonly used materials include stainless steel and brass framing. This type of metal frame is better at weight-bearing, making them ideal for a heavier mattress type.
Fabric and leather
For the people that want a more decorative look or a built-in type of feel, an upholstered platform bed frame may be a good choice. What is an upholstered platform bed frame, you ask? They are fabric bed frames that use various soft coverings (including leather) to cover the base. These often have a metal frame or wood frame base, which is then covered by the fabric.
Bed Frame Heights
When choosing a bed frame style, one of the most serious considerations is its height profile in the space, which includes:
- Standard profile – This is the most common bed frame style. It typically ranges in height from 13ʺ to 15ʺ. At this height, you have enough clearance to store items beneath the bed.
- Low profile – A low-profile bed frame sits more closely to the ground. It’s measured at 13” or less and is ideal for smaller rooms or a sleek modern design.
- High profile – High profile beds are 15” and up. These are great for large rooms or mattresses, or for places where you have increased storage needs.
What is a Bed Frame Used For?
You may think that you don’t need a traditional bed frame. While that’s technically true, you also don’t necessarily need bedsheets. But that wouldn’t be very comfortable now, would it?
As mentioned earlier, there are several additional benefits a bed frame provides that you should consider before making a decision. Common benefits include:
Mattress Support
First and foremost, bed frames were designed to raise your mattress foundation off the ground, keeping it firmly in place while providing essential support. Both a traditional bed frame + box spring, and a bed frame with slats help the mattress maintain its shape by evenly distributing your body weight. This prevents mattress sagging, which can lead to discomfort in your back and neck, making it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep. But beyond these practical benefits, a bed frame also plays a crucial role in maintaining a hygienic sleep environment.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
By elevating your mattress off the floor, a bed frame prevents direct contact with dust, dirt, allergens, and other irritants commonly found on carpets and floors. Floors can harbor various pollutants like pet dander, mold spores, dust mites, and even bacteria, all of which can negatively impact your health. Keeping your mattress off the floor ensures that these irritants are less likely to transfer to your bedding, helping to create a cleaner, healthier sleep space.
Additionally, a mattress placed directly on the floor can trap moisture, especially in humid environments, making it susceptible to mold and mildew buildup. The lack of airflow under a mattress can contribute to this problem, potentially compromising the longevity and cleanliness of your mattress. A bed frame with slats (a platform bed) or an elevated design allows for better ventilation, reducing the risk of mold growth and ensuring that your sleep space remains fresh and dry.
Learn more about the traditional box spring vs platform bed in our blog.
Aesthetics
A mattress without a bed frame is like James Bond without his suit. It’s still a bed, but it doesn’t look as good. Beds tend to be the furniture centerpiece of a bedroom. As the room’s focal point, they need to draw your eye and complement the room’s decor. Whether you opt for a traditional bed frame or a more modern bed frame, it can help pull all of the room’s design elements together. Without it, your room (and bed) will look unfinished.
Storage Space
Your bed can take up a significant amount of square footage in your room, particularly if you have a larger king size bed frame. Remember that bed frames tend to raise a mattress off the ground, giving you plenty of extra storage space beneath the bed. Depending on the type of bed frame, some also come with built-in drawers that help you maximize your room’s usage.
Types of Casper Bed Frames
Casper offers several bed frames for you to choose from. This gives you the freedom to select a frame that matches your room’s size, design, and storage needs. Our most popular bed frames include:
- Adjustable – A remote-controlled adjustable bed frame lets you choose a custom sleeping position with the click of a button. This metal bed frame allows you to create a sleep setup with pressure-relieving positions that would otherwise be impossible with a traditional bed frame. For instance, the Adjustable Pro gives you full-body adjustability, a massage feature, and other elements like:
- Wireless remote control
- USB ports for easy phone charging
- Split King option
- Zero-Gravity
- Anti-snore
- Saves your favorite positions
- Wall-aligning technology
- Headrest tilt function
- Under-bed lights
- Casper Haven – The Casper Haven is a fully upholstered, low-profile bed frame that’s wrapped in a heather-grey or charcoal felted wool. This gives off a soft, cloud-like look and feel to any room. And the relaxing headboard has a built-in cushion and slant so you can sit comfortably in bed.
- Casper Repose – Made from premium materials and sustainably sourced wood, the Casper Repose combines the best elements of wood and cloth bed frames, using a soft-edge design for cohesion. When it comes to attaching a headboard to a bed frame, you can select a wood color of natural or dark oak and then choose whether you want a wooden headboard, a pillow headboard, or just the lower frame.
- Upholstered Bed Frame – Choose from one of three cozy, fabric-wrapped upholstered bed frames, including natural, grey, and midnight. These custom textiles cover a strong wood and steel, low-profile frame that eliminates the need for a box spring or foundation. With one-tool assembly, setting up the frame and pulling on the covers is a synch.
- The Foundation – The Mattress Foundation is the Casper take on the classic box spring. It’s a minimalist bed frame engineered with solid wood that looks and feels great.
Casper— Just What You Need For a Deep Sleep
Bed frames are just as important today as they were hundreds of years ago. Maybe even more so now since they’re foundational to the bed’s support structure and a room’s design. But selecting the right mattress and bed frame can be a tough decision. You spend a third of your life sleeping, so you need to invest in the best.
Enter Casper. Here, we make catching Zzzzzz’s your favorite part of the day or night. All of our mattresses, bed frames, pillows, and bedding were designed to support your sleep and aesthetic tastes.
Are you ready to finally get a good night’s rest? Try Casper today.
