Does an Upholstered Bed Frame Help You Sleep Better?

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When it comes to bed frames, the options aren't exactly unlimited: Your choices come down to upholstered or non-upholstered. We tend to favor upholstered bed frames because they look a bit more inviting than their wood and metal counterparts and often feel more comfortable. It's our personal opinion that your bed should be one of the most comfortable pieces of furniture in your home, so if you're looking for a bedroom-specific upgrade to turn your space into a relaxing oasis, you’ve come to the right place.

Ahead, we found 13 upholstered bed frames that will soften the look of your bedroom while offering you a cozy place to tuck in and doze off in style. What's more, our picks range from pretty cheap (read: less than $200) to luxurious, so no matter what you're looking for, you’ll surely find it here. We even threw in our shopping editor's affordable bed that she still has and loves seven years after buying it.

Trust us, if you're looking to revamp your bedroom, you can't go wrong by swapping out your bed frame for a new one. There's no need to redecorate the entire space; just change out the biggest piece. An upholstered bed frame is a great way to bring in a fresh new color or pattern. If you want to go the extra mile, you may want to grab some new bedding too. Need some inspiration to get started? Consider this your cheat sheet because we have plenty of ideas to help kick-start your search.

Mariah Tufted Bed

A reliable source for handcrafted furniture, Arhaus offers some truly lush beds. This glamorous one is hand-sewn in a soft, velvety fabric that you can custom order in tan, pale gray, or navy. What's more, all of the upholstered parts are packed with dense foam made of mostly plant-based material, so you won't need to pile your pillows behind you before leaning back.

The Smith Bed

The Smith bed, one of Maiden Home's most beloved pieces, closely resembles a plump marshmallow—both aesthetically and in terms of feel. Of course, the designers behind the Smith had a slightly more sophisticated inspiration behind the bold look that isn't based on sweets. Their driving force? Circa 1970s Italian design by the likes of Gio Ponti, Carlo Mollino, Carla Scarpa, and Carlo di Carl, to name a few. If white bouclé doesn't pair well with your bedroom's aesthetic, opt for any of the other fabrics.

Platform Bed Frame With Wingback Headboard

While there are few well reviewed upholsteredbed frames on Amazon for under $300—including this one with nearly 47,000 five-star ratings—this frame is one of the more stylish options on offer. Available in five colors, the bed frame is upholstered in linen and boasts a wingback headboard. "I have no regrets purchasing this frame! It's been a month sleeping in this and no problems and issues has caused yet! Bed frame is still sturdy and I notice a huge difference laying with out the box spring it kinda gives like a lighter and quieter feeling," one reviewer says.

Bridgeway Four Poster Bed

There's something about a traditional four-posted bed that feels utterly sophisticated. Case in point: Serena & Lily's Bridgeway, which is upholstered in the brand's take on a classic toile pattern. Because the whole structure is made in the U.S. by hand, it may take a while to receive it (up to eight weeks), but we'd say the wait is well worth it. If toile isn't your thing, feel free to choose from any of the other patterns, solids, and more in the brand's enormous fabric library.

Shelter Side Storage Bed

If you're low on storage or want to maximize your space, this bed frame is a must. Upholstered in polyester fabric, it features four side drawers for storing anything from bedding to clothes. (Although for the right feng shui, you may want to stick to bedding.) Not to mention, it has a ton of customizable options. You can select the height of the headboard, the tufting pattern (or lack thereof), and the color of the fabric.

Hyvaa Bed

We love the design of this new bed frame in the mossy green velvet. After all, what's more timeless yet design-centric than the touchably soft material? The shape of this bed frame, however, skews a bit edgier because of curved edges and rounded headboard. After all, we'd expect nothing less than cool from designer Sarah Sherman Samuel.

Velvet Upholstered Bed Frame

As we said, velvet makes anything instantly appear a bit more high-end—even if it's not terribly expensive—and this bed frame is proof. At well under $200, it features a vertical-channel-tufted headboard and simple tapered legs. Plus, it's available in four colors, including black, blue, green, and pink. One happy reviewer notes, "I loved the fact that I could put this bed together by myself it wasn’t hard at all. Not to mention putting things together is not one of my strengths but this bed was totally easy. The parts wasn’t all labeled but the pictures with the directions made it simple."

Arne Upholstered Low-Profile Platform Bed

"I got this bed frame for my first post-grad apartment and, seven years later I still have it," associate shopping editor Jessica Cherner admits. "Because it's a bit dark, I styled it with white and pale gray bedding to lighten it up a bit and make it feel more feminine." With the nailhead detailing and unique headboard shape, this is a bed you'll want to keep for awhile.

Ever White Slipcover Bed

As one of the best-selling pieces in designer Leanne Ford's collaboration with Crate & Barrel, this cloud-like bed is casual, comfortable, and ideal for large spaces. The headboard stretches beyond the width of the bed at about 109 inches, allowing it to work as a backdrop to nightstands on either side. The bed frame also boasts a stain-repellent slipcover in white cotton for a cozy look.

Upholstered Bed Frame

If you don't want a headboard (or want to snag a special one from a flea market, local artist, or somewhere else) consider this bed frame that you can get upholstered in a range of fabrics and colors. It features tall metal legs that are available in a dark pewter or light bronze finish for a sleek, airy look. The best part? If you decide you want a headboard one day, this bed frame is compatible with a few of the headboards West Elm sells (like this one and this one).

Lucerne Bed Frame

Saatva may be our go-to destination for mattresses (after all, the company does offer House Beautiful readers a special discount on occasion), but it's also a great spot for furniture, including bed frames. This one is compatible with an adjustable base, available in quite a few earthy shades, and does not require a box spring. It's also designed to mimic the brutalist and quiet architecture of the Swiss city after which it's named.

Ataman Platform Bed Upholstered Headboard

We don't like to pick favorites, but it's hard not to love this cool upholstered bed frame, which is framed with a dark wood and encased in an oatmeal-hued linen. We would probably pair it with different bedding (like an all-white situation), but to each their own. It may require some assembly, but it comes with all the tools you'll need to put it together. For this price, it's definitely worth it.

Whitby Canopy Bed

Last but certainly not least is Frontgate's Whitby canopy bed, which looks like something we'd find in an old English country manor. On the one hand, it's old world elegance, but on the other it's also quite contemporary. From the linen upholstery backed with high-density foam to the arched headboard, there are a lot of reasons to introduce this beautiful pick into your space. Beware: The assembly is fairly difficult, so you may want to enlist an expert.

What to Know About Buying an Upholstered Bed Frame

Here's the thing: Buying an upholstered bed frame is like buying any other piece of fabric-covered furniture (read: sofas, chairs, and more) in that there are pros and cons. Here's what to know before swapping your wooden or metal bed frame for an upholstered alternative.

Material: There are lots of different fabrics that you'll find on an upholstered bed: velvet, linen, and cotton to name a few. Some, however, are more fragile than others, so think about what you'll potentially put your headboard through. Will you lean against it with wet hair? Will you let your pets or kids in bed? After answering a few questions, you'll know which material will work best for your bedroom. A performance fabric is never a bad idea.

Decorative Details: While some upholstered beds have a wooden frame, others enlist nailheads. Each type of decorative detail sets an aesthetic for your whole space.

Fill: The great thing about upholstered bed frames is that they're often filled with foam, which makes them more comfortable to lean against than wood and metal bed frames.

Are Upholstered Beds High Maintenance?

The simple answer is sometimes. Whether or not your upholstered bed frame is high maintenance depends on the material and fill because some are more fragile than others. If you want something low maintenance, opt for cotton and a foam filling, which is generally more durable than other materials.

Why Trust Us?

House Beautiful's associate shopping editor has an upholstered bed frame and put quite a bit of research into her final finds. These options offer plenty of variety in terms of price, style, and more.

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