While high-quality bed linen like lavish silk sheets or breezy linen bedding make for luxurious finishing touches, the best bed frames command attention as the centrepiece in your bedroom. Besides their fundamental role as a place to rest your head at night, bed frames are now more versatile than ever, doubling as storage solutions or even serving as a focal point to your bedroom’s overall design.
Accent chairs and bedroom rugs often steal the show with their aesthetic appeal, but bed frames play a crucial role in defining the style of your room. In short, your selected bed frame holds significant sway over the ambience of your bedroom, so it pays to choose wisely.
Thankfully, though, it’s now easier than ever to find a range of gorgeous bed frames in a plethora of styles as presented to us by online furniture stores and sleep tech brands alike. These days, retailers are helping us by crafting and selling more refined and design-led iterations. Think: clean lines, quality leathers, and luxe fabrics.
Of course, when you’re investing in the very best bed frame, you’ll want to be able to enjoy it for years to come, so it pays to do some research before making your choice. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know, answering your all-important FAQ’s – from the best materials to bed frame pricing – and the best bed frame brands worth investing in.
Whether you’re looking to create a cosy haven for relaxation or a chic focal point for your bedroom decor, you’ll find a wealth of options to choose from in our edit. From upholstered and metal bed frames to Scandinavian-inspired low platform bed frames and rattan bed frames, as well as minimalist divan beds. Happy sleeping!
What is the best type of bed frame? | Where is the best place to buy a bed? | How much does a bed frame cost? | What else should I consider when buying a new bed frame? | How we chose the best bed frames | Our full reviews.
The best bed frames of 2024, at a glance:
- Best bed frame overall: Emma Divan Bed, £572.60, Emma Sleep
- Best high-quality bed frame: Atlas Bed Base, £599, Simba
- Best storage bed frame: Ascot Ottoman Storage Bed, £279, Dusk
- Best sustainable bed frame: Emma Wooden Bed, £670, Emma
- Best rattan bed frame: Rattan Bed Frame, £629, John Lewis
Ascot Ottoman Storage Bed
What is the best type of bed frame?
Generally speaking, there are six main types of bed frame to know about.
- 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.
- Slatted base bed frames are often the most affordable option for bed frames. They feature wooden or metal slats across the frame which are designed to support your mattress. You can often choose between sprung slats, which offer some flexibility, or firm slats for a more firm surface.
- 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.
Where is the best place to buy a bed?
We’ve sifted through a selection of the best online furniture stores to bring you the best bed frames for 2024. If your budget is on the modest side, look to Dusk, John Lewis and M&S. If, on the contrary, you’ve set aside a large portion of savings for your bed frame, we’d recommend heading to the likes of Swoon, Soho Home and Heal’s.
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? 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.
What else should I consider when buying a new bed frame?
- Does it have a headboard? Don’t worry if not, you can buy them separately.
- Will it fit your mattress? Measure your mattress before purchasing your bed frame.
- Warranty. Be sure to inspect the duration of the warranty/guarantee for the bed frame you’re considering, as it will provide protection for your investment in case of any unforeseen issues or defects.
- Aesthetics. Think about what kind of headboard you like, what materials you prefer, and how you want your bed frame to look, so it matches the overall vibe of your room.
How we chose the best bed frames
In our quest to find the bed frames to shop right now, we considered various factors to make sure we have covered all bases. While testing every bed frame in our own homes wasn’t quite feasible, the GLAMOUR team can confidently recommend a select few that we personally own. For those we haven’t tried, we’ve evaluated size, colour, storage options, warranty, and aesthetics, while also delving into customer reviews so you don’t have to. The result? An edit showcasing the finest bed frames available, in a range of styles to cater to every interior design scheme.
Looking for something else? Head this way for the best mattresses and over here for wardrobes, dressing tables, bedside tables and bedroom rugs. We’ve also got ready-made curtains, black-out blinds and bedroom lighting ideas to level-up your boudoir. For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Commerce Writer Mayola Fernandes, follow her on Instagram @mayolafernandess.
Ahead, GLAMOUR’s pick of the best bed frames to add to your checkout.
