What type of bed do you want?
We at AD classify bed frames into four different categories: wood frames, upholstered frames, frames with storage, and platform frames. To identify which of these bed frames types best suits your lifestyle, think about both the aesthetic of your room and what you want out of a bed frame. If you want a frame with built in drawers to tuck things away, a storage bed is probably your move. If drawers aren’t an absolute necessity for you but you still want some space to put containers or boxes, get a platform bed. If you want a big statement headboard that makes a room feel cozy or more dramatic, an upholstered frame.
To headboard or not to headboard?
That is the question. The decision to buy (or make!) a headboard often comes down to two main factors: personal style and space. Having a headboard can help fill some empty space and it can also offer additional support when you’re sitting up in bed. However in other cases and in some rooms, it can feel overwhelming. Opt for no headboard if you want something super minimal (or even monastic) that allows you to have real estate for a few other things in your room. If you like that cozy, full feeling and want a headboard to fill negative space, then get a frame that has one.
Do you want a wooden or upholstered bed frame?
The answer to that comes down to your style and the decor in your room. An upholstered bed frame can help soften a space, adds an interesting textural element, and looks quite luxe. A wood frame on the other hand is more classic and structured. Either material pairs well with most decor styles, it just comes down to the space you have and what you think would compliment your room better.
How We Tested
In an effort to ensure you’re only bringing beautiful, well-made furniture into your spaces, just know that we test and review every single product you see on this list in our very own homes. Whether those are sprawling suburban spaces or tiny New York City apartments, we made sure these beds are put to use in a real life setting—no labs or test tubes for us. We assemble the pieces ourselves as well as sleep, jump, cuddle and bedrot in them, all to make sure we can stand behind each option on this list. So how do we pick the products themselves and what did we ask our testers?:
What attracted you to this bed frame? Whether the bed frame was the finishing touch to our tester’s Japandi oasis or your mid-century dream come true, we wanted to know exactly why the piece sparked joy. For some, inspiration came straight from the pages of AD. Others were scouted out their frames on Instagram while some were in the market for something with very specific qualities (under-bed storage, an upholstered design, something headboard-less).
