Casper, Saatva, Pottery Barn, Thuma, and Nest
Mia Huelsbeck is a contributing writer for PEOPLE covering home, fashion, and more. Along with her expertise in product-scouting for shoppers, she consulted with a celebrity interior designer for this story.
Sometimes, you need more than new curtains or the softest bed sheets to really transform your bedroom space. Whether you’re looking to improve the quality of your sleep, update your room’s theme, or expand your storage space, there are a number of reasons you’d be on the search for a new bed frame. But, like mattresses, not all beds are made equal, and it can be hard to rule out the ones that aren’t up to scratch.
Given that your bed frame is a lasting piece of furniture, there’s a lot to consider before you go all-in on a new one. Is it stable? How easy will it be to assemble? And is it going to squeak loudly every time you roll over? Not only should it work well with your mattress, it should complement your room design.
Fortunately, we’ve taken all the guesswork out of the equation with real insights from our testers who used these bed frames over the course of a year. Out of the 10 they tried, including styles from Pottery Barn, Saatva, and Thuma, we’ve managed to narrow our top picks down to six.
Our Top Picks
What to Know About Choosing a Bed Frame, According to a Celebrity Interior Designer
To gain expert insight on selecting the best bed frames, PEOPLE spoke with Bradley Hüsemann-Odom, a celebrity interior designer and founder and principal designer of Bradley Odom Interiors. He’s also the owner of the beautifully curated Atlanta furniture store, Dixon Rye.
- Consider function first: “By function, I don’t just mean ‘does it hold a mattress?’ — I mean how it serves your life,” Hüsemann-Odom tells PEOPLE. “Does the height make getting in and out effortless? Is there storage if you need it? Does it allow you to move easily through your bedroom?”
- Your mattress is only as good as the foundation beneath it: “Poor slat spacing or uneven support will shorten its lifespan, no matter the quality,” Hüsemann-Odom explains. “As a rule, slats should be no more than three inches apart.” Additionally, fine craftsmanship, such as mortise-and-tenon joints, “will always outperform a frame held together with only screws or brackets.”
- Look for a bed frame that complements your space: “A great bed frame should anchor the room, not overpower it,” Hüsemann-Odom points out. “Think harmony, not hero piece.” Your bed frame should mesh with your room intentionally, so Hüsemann-Odom recommends you look for “lines, finishes, or materials that echo what’s already in your space,” like “wood tones, metals, or upholstery details.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/peo-bed-frames-test-pottery-barn-jake-upholstered-storage-platform-katie-bowler-21_crop-684001a0fd8e4a829052963acf2c4d10.jpeg)
When it comes to smaller bedrooms or minimal closet space, a storage bed like this option from Pottery Barn is the best way to go. Our tester loved the “super soft” upholstery and the four drawers that glided “smoothly” and “quietly.”
She was especially impressed by this frame’s storage space, describing it as “the selling point.” The tester was able to store a heavyweight comforter in one drawer, three sheets in another, a body pillow in the third, and blankets and a heating pad in the fourth drawer — everything you could possibly need. However, the frame was so heavy that she recommended it only for those who wouldn’t be moving anytime soon.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/peo-bed-frames-test-thuma-julia-warren-15_crop-37cda035a4ff4875a64725e254f20d3d.jpeg)
Out of all the bed frames we tested, this one from Thuma took the least amount of time to set up. The tester noted, “the pieces fit together like a puzzle” with Japanese joinery, needing just two included screws. She explained that it’s “easy to put together” without the need for any tools. In addition to the quick setup, our tester raved about the sturdy design. Despite her son jumping on the bed, “I haven’t seen it move at all,” she said.
Other Bed Frames We Liked
We wanted to keep our list of best bed frames concise to make the decision-making process as seamless as possible. So even though the following ones didn’t quite make the cut, they were notable enough that we had to mention them. Although the Silk & Snow bed frame’s assembly proved a little difficult for our tester, she loved its high-quality materials and durable construction. Floyd The Bed Frame was considered “the perfect balance between fancy and understated.” Finally, our tester loved how the lightweight Andover Mills frame provided ample under-bed storage space.
People
How We Tested
To narrow down the best bed frames on the market, we thoroughly researched several styles before selecting the top 10 we wanted our testers to try. They were asked to evaluate each one based on the delivery experience, ease of assembly (including which tools were needed), the durability of the frame, and quality in terms of feel and any noise generated when moving. The testers used their own mattresses throughout the testing period and noted how the new bed frame compared to their previous one.
They reevaluated after six months, and again after a year had passed, to note how well each bed frame held up through consistent use. After carefully analyzing their feedback and overall scores, we then selected the absolute best six bed frames from the list.
Goes Well With
Obviously, a bed frame alone isn’t going to send you off into the best sleep ever. Now that you’ve found the perfect starting piece for your bedroom, it’s time to top it off with a mattress, some memory foam pillows, and other bedtime essentials we’ve tested and approved.
A Casper mattress topper will give you a little extra cushion, some cooling bed sheets will keep hot sleepers comfy, and you’re bound to catch some fantastic Z’s with one of our favorite tried-and-true mattresses below.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
