Shopping for a new bed? With so many great options, it can be hard to choose the best bed for your bedroom. In today’s blog, the furniture experts at Star Furniture discuss some of the different types of beds, styles, and frames available, so you can better understand what’s right for you.
What is a Panel Bed?
(Pictured Above: Cascade Kline Panel Bed)
When you envision a standard bed frame, you’re likely imagining a panel bed. They feature a sturdy base, two side panels, and a decorative footboard and headboard. While panel beds can look similar to platform beds, panel beds feature side rails, which are designed to hold the box spring and mattress in place. Platform beds, on the other hand, don’t require a box spring at all. While panel beds can come in any style, their classic look means that you’ll often find them with casual or traditional features.
Do Panel Beds Need Box Springs?
Yes. All panel beds require a mattress foundation like a box spring. If you decide not to use a box spring with a panel bed, your mattress will likely incur damage due to the lack of support, including premature sagging.
What is a Platform Bed?
(Pictured Above: Santa Cruz Platform Bed)
A platform bed is a low-profile bed frame with a slatted wood, solid wood, or metal surface. They generally have a decorative headboard and footboard for added visual interest. Because you can place your mattress directly on the frame, they tend to be lower to the ground, making them a challenging option for older people who have trouble getting in and out of bed. In fact, platform beds are typically around 18” off the ground. Because of their size and simplicity, they tend to be minimalist in design and work especially well in modern bedroom design. Some platform beds also come with built-in storage features to help keep your bedroom clear of clutter.
Do You Need to Use a Box Spring with a Platform Bed?
No. In fact, platform beds are specifically designed with rows of closely positioned slats or a solid surface that serves the same purpose as a box spring. That said, some mattress types work better on platform beds than others. Memory foam mattresses, for example, work extremely well on platform beds. Some innerspring mattresses, on the other hand, might have a shorter lifespan if they’re used exclusively with a platform bed frame.
What is a Sleigh Bed?
(Pictured Above: Rhapsody Upholstered Sleigh Bed)
A sleigh bed is a large bed that’s modeled after the shape of a sleigh, with an outward curve at both the headboard and the footboard. Because of their size and elegance, sleigh beds tend to be more traditional in style and often feature rich wood tones, ornate detailing, and curved edges. Their distinct design also makes them a great focal point for master bedrooms.
Do You Need to Use a Box Spring on a Sleigh Bed?
It depends. While some sleigh beds come with a slotted or solid foundation, some sleigh beds may not have the support needed for your mattress. Remember, a box spring is just a supportive foundation for your mattress, so if the bed comes with its own sturdy platform, a box spring is likely not needed.
What is an Adjustable Bed?
(Pictured Above: Tempur-Ergo Adjustable Base)
An adjustable bed is a mattress foundation that can be easily adjusted to different heights and elevations to accommodate different sleep preferences. Adjusting the bed to different settings can help relieve joint pain, back pain, and symptoms of acid reflux. It can even help prevent snoring. Because you can adjust the height and elevate your back, adjustable beds can help prevent falls for people with mobility issues. The best part? Adjustable base beds are compatible with select headboards and bed frames, so just because you choose an adjustable base bed, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style.
Do Adjustable Beds Need Box Springs?
No. In fact, adjustable base beds are distinctly incompatible with box springs. Instead, adjustable beds feature a sturdy base that offers all of the support most mattresses need.
What is a Day Bed?
(Pictured Above: Heartland Decorative Daybed)
Daybeds double as both a bed and a sofa. Popular in kids’ bedrooms and guest rooms, daybeds tend to have a headboard that extends along the side of the day bed, rather than just at the top of the bed. While they are traditionally twin sized, daybeds can be ordered to fit other mattress sizes. Some daybeds even come with additional storage space in the form of built-in shelving or drawers, which are perfect for storing pillows, blankets, and other bedding.
Do You Need a Box Spring with a Day Bed?
Generally speaking, daybeds don’t need a box spring. That’s because the bed itself typically features a platform or slats that serves as adequate support for most mattresses. In fact, many daybeds feature storage space or trundles in the space that would usually house a box spring.
What is a Bunk Bed?
(Pictured Above: Madison Twin/Twin Bunk Bed)
Bunk beds are a type of bed in which one bed frame is stacked on top of the other. They can be a great space saver for kids’ rooms, as it allows you to fit two beds in the same amount of space that one bed would occupy. While traditional bunk beds often accommodate twin size or extra-long twin size mattresses, there has been an increase in full and queen size bunk beds.
Do Bunk Beds Need Box Springs?
Because most bunk beds feature a Bunkie board or support slabs, they do not typically require box springs. In fact, using a box spring could even be dangerous. When a box spring is used on the top bunk, for example, it may raise the mattress to the point that the child is no longer adequately protected by the side rails. On the bottom bunk, it could make the bed more uncomfortable as it gives the child less space between their mattress and the top bunk.
What is a Loft Bed?
(Pictured Above: Bunkhouse Mid Loft Twin Bed)
Like bunk beds, loft beds are designed to save space in your bedroom. While bunk beds make it so you can fit two beds in the amount of space typically taken up by one, a loft bed is a single bed that is raised enough to comfortably allow your child to use the floor area below. Some lofts have built-in storage or desk space, while others simply offer some additional space below the bed for you to use how you please.
Do Loft Beds Need Box Springs?
Loft beds do not typically need box springs. Like with bunk beds, using a box spring could actually be dangerous, as it renders the side rails ineffective, which opens up the opportunity for your child to roll over the side. Many loft beds utilize Bunkie boards or slabs to provide the support your mattress needs.
What is a Trundle Bed?
(Pictured Above: Ellie Trundle Bed)
A trundle bed is a low bed on wheels that can be easily stored under the bed frame of the main bed. When the trundle bed is not in use, it is completely hidden. The term trundle bed can refer to any type of bed frame that features a stored rolling mattress. Though panel beds are the most common bed frame type to incorporate a trundle bed, day beds do sometimes feature this capability. Like bunk beds, trundle beds are often used in kids’ rooms and guest rooms as a way to save space and sleep extra guests.
Do You Need a Box Spring on a Trundle Bed?
No. In fact, with trundle beds, there isn’t enough space to use a box spring with the main bed or the trundle bed. Instead, trundle beds come with a solid platform or closely positioned slats to provide all of the support your mattress needs.
What is an Upholstered Bed?
(Pictured Above: Avery Upholstered Bed)
The term “upholstered bed” refers to any bed frame that incorporates upholstered materials such as velvet, linen, or chenille. The upholstery often covers the headboard and footboard, with additional padding at the headboard for added comfort. Upholstered beds are one of the hottest interior design trends of 2022. In fact, upholstered beds can be any bed type or style. You can, for example, have an upholstered sleigh bed, an upholstered platform bed, etc.
Do Upholstered Beds Need Box Springs?
It depends. Upholstered beds can come in all different styles and types. An upholstered platform bed, for example, will not need a box spring, while most upholstered panel beds would require a box spring. If you’re not sure if your upholstered bed needs a box spring, you should pay attention to the foundation. When the upholstered bed has close slats or a solid platform, it will likely provide all the support your mattress needs. If the upholstered bed features side rails, you’ll likely need to use a box spring for added mattress support.
Bed Sizes
The size of your bed is determined by the size of your mattress and the type of bed. A king-size bed frame, for example, must be at least large enough to accommodate a king-size mattress. That said, it will be wider or longer depending on the type of bed you choose. Sleigh beds, for example, feature a curved headboard and footboard that extend out quite a bit from the mattress, which means they’ll likely take up more space in your bedroom than a minimalist platform bed would. To better understand how much space a bed will potentially take up, you can start with the mattress dimensions.
Twin-Size Mattress Dimensions
Twin-size mattresses are typically 38 inches wide by 75 inches long. They’re most popular for childrens’ beds, as they only accommodate a single sleeper. Day beds, trundle beds, bunk beds, and loft beds are often twin-sized.
Twin Extra-Long Mattress Dimensions
Twin extra-long mattresses are 38 inches wide by 80 inches long. Because they can accommodate sleepers who are over 6 ft. tall, they’re great for teens and college students.
Full-Size Mattress Dimensions
Full-size mattresses are 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. Because of their smaller size, they’re a good starter mattress for young adults and recent grads and can also be used in small guest rooms.
Queen-Size Mattress Dimensions
Queen mattresses are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, which is 6 inches wider and 5 inches longer than a full mattress. Because they offer enough space to accommodate couples, they are the most popular mattress size on the market.
King-Size Mattress Dimensions
King mattresses are 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, which is 16 inches wider than a queen mattress. While queen mattresses are often large enough to accommodate couples, king mattresses are a better option if you share the bed with children or pets. Just make sure your bedroom can accommodate the extra space.
California King Mattress Dimensions
California king mattresses are 72 inches wide and 84 inches long, making them 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer than king mattresses. They work well for taller people and people with narrower bedrooms who still want the extra space associated with a king-size bed. Ready to start shopping for beds? Visit a Star Furniture store near you or browse our online selection of bedroom furniture. In the meantime, check out our interior design blog, where we cover everything from how to set up your bedroom for better sleep to guest room essentials for your home.