5 Best Minimalist Bed Frames

Best For Compact Design — Natural foundation

With the Natural Foundation, the need for a box spring becomes redundant. The high grade slatted wood material and quality design of this minimalist bed frame makes it very sturdy and also accounts for its impressive durability. And that’s not all, you get the chance to choose between the 5” frame and the 9” frame depending on what your bed needs.

The Natural foundation is made from a sturdy wood frame and finished with top-notch fabric. The fabric cover makes this bed frame more aesthetically pleasing, you won’t see the wooden frame. The cover is removable and machine-washable, so you can always renew that sparkling look for your bedroom.

The frame is compatible with all mattresses. You can get a Natural Foundation bed frame in any bed size you want; from twin to California King, the makers, Natural Form, have got you covered. Lastly, as a precaution against wear and tear of the wood frame, you can use a flat metal base under the frame to prevent the frame from having direct contact with the floor.

What You Should Know About Minimalist Bed Frames

I often hear people say that they're reluctant to purchase bed frames with a basic design and would much prefer a traditional bed frame style (1). The common belief is that they’re less supportive, poorly made, and somewhat uninteresting.

Honestly though, that’s no longer true.

The truth is, minimalist bed frames have several advantages over classic models:

• They tend to be on the cheaper side. Minimalist bed frames are simplistic in design, meaning they require less time and resources to construct, which reduces their overall cost. And by opting for such a bed frame, you can save the additional money you were going to spend and invest it in a more luxury mattress.
• They come in a variety of designs. The term "minimalist" doesn’t stand for generic or boring - far from it. These days, minimalist frames have quite a unique vibe thanks to a more diverse color range and texture palette.
• They don’t make small spaces look and feel cramped. A simple design, which is also often low-profile, can make even a heavy hybrid mattress feel less bulky.  It also adds some airiness to your bedroom interior, making it appear larger, which is great if your bedroom is small.
• They pair well with higher mattresses. Since many minimalist bed frames sit low to the ground, they can support thicker mattresses without creating an awkwardly high bed.

A standard bed frame makes your bed around 25 inches tall, which is considered comfortable for most people. The ideal height of your bed allows you to sit comfortably on the edge and still reach the floor with your feet (2).

Also, you can combine your bed frame with a bunkie board or thin box spring to create a sturdier, more uniform support surface for your mattress.

A minimalist bed frame made of high-quality steel can easily support up to 1,200 lbs, which makes it a great pick for a large sleeper or a heavy couple.

How to Choose a Suitable Minimalist Bed Frame for Your Mattress?

Even if you’ve set your mind on buying a basic bed frame, the variety of options is endless. So, to find the one that works best for you, you need to first consider a few things.

I have arranged them into a simple list so you can check you've covered all aspects:

• Purpose. Are you planning to sleep on your bed regularly or install it in your guest room?  Or, maybe you’re looking for a sex-friendly bed frame? You should consider how actively you’re going to use your bed before you make a definite choice. For example, a basic wooden frame could work for the occasional shut-eye, while a metal frame would make a better choice for romantic activities due to its noise-free design.
• Materials. A wooden frame is bouncier but also heavier, especially if it’s made of solid wood. What's more, wood is more prone to squeaky noises. And while you can still easily fix it in most cases (3), this issue may become extremely annoying with time. Steel frames, on the other hand, typically feature hollow construction, so they’re lighter than wood and more durable. Models that combine wooden slats and a steel perimeter are usually the preffered combination because they offer the best of both worlds.
• Ease of assembly. When buying a minimalist bed frame, you probably expect the assembly process to be minimalistic as well. If this is the case, you may want to look for foldable frames or a snap-lock style assembly. That being said, a frame that requires you to put some effort into its assembly can be because it's extremely durable, sturdy and long-lasting. Sometimes it's worth the initial set-up effort and time for the added durability and longevity of the bed frame.
• Extra features. Do you want a frame with a headboard or footboard? Or, do you want non-slip tape to keep your mattress from sliding? If you’re an active sleeper, the latter may be a very handy feature. And the former is a plus for those who want a more traditional look. It's worth discussing which extra features are worth paying for and which don't really make much difference.  Worth noting - If you or your partner are extremely tall, a footboard might limit the amount of stretching out you can do.
• Design. From a design point of view, it's best if your frame matches the current style of your bedroom interior in terms of color and texture. If you can’t find the right fit, you can always go with a classic black color or metal (metal frames tend to have thinner support bars, so if the color or style isn’t the perfect fit, this will be less noticeable).
• Size. The bed frame must fit the mattress snugly like a glove. Depending on how many people use a mattress, the bed frame could be smaller or larger. Fortunately, there are several sizes out there in the market. 
  A general rule of thumb is to check the mattress size before purchasing a bed frame, or vice versa, whichever comes first.
• Cost. Generally, mattresses that don’t have box springs are relatively cheaper than mattresses that do. Although exceptions exist. The first thing to do before stepping out to buy a bed frame is to define your budget and see if it fits with your preference. Sometimes, it’s better to sample different options, considering the composition of the materials and the comfortability.

Conclusion

The modern market is slowly but surely adapting to current trends and user preferences. Today, finding a decent bed frame with a minimalist design isn’t very difficult. All the models I’ve reviewed here are very durable and work great in terms of support. So, if you decide to go with one of them, you won’t be disappointed.

As for my favorite minimalist bed frame, I would definitely pick the platform bed by Amerisleep. This model is quite versatile in use and would work with all mattress types and in different interiors. Additionally, it’s quite sturdy and can provide solid support for your mattress. All in all, it’s a reliable bed frame that could be a worthy investment for many sleepers (especially those who appreciate simple designs and lasting performance).

I'm curious, why are you considering a minimalist bed frame? What qualities are you looking for in your dream bed frame? Share your thoughts below!