Finding the best bed frames on the market was a mission we didn’t take lightly. Buying a new bed frame is something rather costly, after all, so it’s paramount you make the right choice. Not only is your bed frame ~the~ focal point of your bedroom – setting the tone for the rest of your interior design scheme and throwing proportions off kilter if your choice is wrong – but your bed can actually elevate the quality of your kip tenfold. No, really. Your memory foam mattress, mattress topper, duvet, pillows and bed sheets play the leading roles in determining the overall comfort of your bed, but sleeping on an uncomfortable bed frame can actually rob you of up to an hours’ worth of sleep every night.
Of course, the sheer choice in the world of bed frames – as presented to us by online furniture retailers and sleep tech brands alike – can be overwhelming. Even for the most discerning of sleepers. Enter: GLAMOUR’s ultimate buying guide to beautiful bedsteads for every budget and aesthetic preference. From metal bed frames to Scandinavian-inspired low platform bed frames, Rattan bed frames and minimalist divan beds, there’s a plethora of genuinely great bed frames down below for you to choose from. Happy sleeping.
What is the most comfortable type of bed frame? | How much does a bed frame cost? | Everything to consider when shopping | Our full reviews.
The best bed frames of 2023, at a glance:
- Best overall: Emma Ottoman Bed, WAS £1,699 NOW £849.50, Emma Sleep
- Best splurge: Belsa Bed, from £2,376, Soho Home
- Best king-size: The Duchess Bed Frame, from £2,499, Brook + Wilde
- Best wooden: Emma Wooden Bed, £1,378, Emma Sleep
- Best with storage: Ascot Ottoman Storage Bed, £279, Dusk
First up: what is the best type of bed frame?
Generally speaking, there are five main types of bed frame to know about.
- Box spring bed frames have a firm base, which means they provide more support. Rather than holding your mattress on a slatted base, they lift your mattress higher – often using a metal rather than wooden frame – and feel a bit more “luxe”. They can also help to extend the lifespan of your new mattress, since they prevent it from sagging in the middle.
- Platform bed frames have wooden slats or a lattice to support your mattress. They tend to sit lower on the ground than box spring mattresses do, and low platform bed frames don’t tend to have footboards.
- Adjustable bed frames are the least common type of bed frame. They allow your to adjust your sleeping position with the touch of a button, by lifting or lowering your feet and head. You usually have to purchase your mattress from the same brand as your adjustable bed, since everything is so highly customised.
- Divan base bed frames are made up of two specially-designed bases. They often have storage drawers for under-bed storage, making them a great choice for bedrooms that are limited on space.
- Ottoman beds use gas-lift hydraulics to lift the base of the bed (mattress and all) to reveal an enormous built-in ottoman storage space. If you have a small flat and storage options are a priority, it’s an ottoman bed you’ll want to choose.
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How much does a bed frame cost?
The answer will depend entirely on your priorities. For instance, are you on the hunt for a genuine leather bed frame or are you looking for a vegan faux leather one, instead? Likewise, solid wood frames will cost more than most metal frames. To give you some ball park figures, some of the least expensive beds (that still stand up to our lofty GLAMOUR standards) come in around the £200-£300 mark while, on the flip side, you can page in excess of £1000 for a luxe wood, foam and fabric upholstered bed.