How to Buy a Bed Frame

When fully assembled, beds are a single piece of furniture, but, typically, you must buy several components separately. A basic bed set consists of a bed frame, box spring and mattress. The bed frame may also include a headboard and footboard, and some bed frames have the option to add these separately. Purchasing a high-quality bed frame is an investment that helps preserve the life of your box spring and mattress, so it's important to take your time to find a bed frame you'll be happy with.

Instructions:

1. Determine what size bed frame you need. If you've already purchased the mattress, the bed frame will be the same size. Sizing options are twin-size bed (39 inches by 70 inches); extra-long twin (39 inches by 80 inches); full-size bed, which is also referred to as double or standard (54 inches by 75 inches); queen-size bed (60 inches by 80 inches); king-size bed (76 inches by 80 inches); and California king (72 inches by 84 inches).

2. Measure the bedroom. If the mattress is available, place it on the floor and walk around it to help you determine how much space the bed will fill; you can also substitute newspapers for the mattress. If the room feels cramped, you'll need a space-saving bed frame. Metal frames are available that support the box spring and mattress without extending into the room. You can hide a metal frame with a bed skirt. Sleek, wooden platform bed frames fit neatly under the box spring and mattress and are popular space-saving choices. Many of these bed frames also offer drawers for storage to let you cut down the size of your dressers.

3. Consider the height of the frame. You need to be comfortable when climbing in and out of bed, and the frame plays a large factor in the bed's height, followed by the thickness of the mattress and the box spring. Memory foam mattresses work best without a box spring, so if you purchase a memory foam mattress, consider the lost height of the box spring when selecting the height of your bed frame.

4. Consider the style of your bedroom. Your bed frame is a major design element of your bedroom. The headboards and bed frames are usually the first thing you will notice when you enter your bedroom. So choose a style and finish for your headboard or bed frame that will establish the decor of your bedroom.

Tips:

1. Light-colored bed frames make a small room appear more open.

2. Bed raisers are an affordable way to increase the height of a metal frame.