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A well-designed wooden bed frame is a great starting point for more elegant bedroom decor. If you’re currently happy with your mattress and just need the frame itself, take a look through our picks for the best wooden bed frames and you’ll find something to love, whatever your style.
What to consider when buying wooden bed frames
Materials
“Wooden bed frames offer excellent variety and quality support,” says Byron Golub, vice president of product and merchandising at Saatva. “Wooden bed frames are a popular choice for their sturdiness and durability. Depending on the type of wood and finish, they can give a modern style a more rustic feel. However, they can require more maintenance due to the risk of scuffs and marks.”
In terms of which wood to go for, birch, oak, acacia, rubberwood, walnut, beech, and pine are all popular options, but be aware that pine is more likely to show dents and scratches than the others. The most affordable bed frames often feature composite materials (a blend of wood fibers, plastic, or other materials) or particle board (made from wood chips and resin, or other materials). These are lightweight, but have shorter lifespans compared to solid wood.
Weight limits
As you might expect, although wooden bed frames are sturdy, they’re not as strong as metal bed frames. If you’re planning on buying a bed for a larger person who may require a little more structural support under them (or would like an adjustable bed frame), metal might be the way to go.
Ease of assembly
“One downside to wooden bed frames is that they can be pretty heavy, like any large piece of furniture,” says Golub. Because of this, you want to be sure you’re buying a bed that’s either delivered and assembled for you, or one that you’re confident you’re able to put together with the help at hand (partner, roommate, highly optimistic small children, etc.). Bed frames with storage often are the most difficult to assemble.
Our top picks for the best wooden bed frames
Best budget wooden bed frame: Zinus Allen Mid-Century Wood Platform Bed Frame
As with any kind of furniture, bed frames run the gamut of prices, from nicely affordable to eye-wateringly expensive. For a less pricey option that still looks good, try Zinus’ mid-century modern platform bed frame—made from solid wood and featuring rounded legs and a sturdy headboard, it can support up to 700 pounds (or 350 for the twin). Shopping tip: Zinus has also made many of our lists of the best mattresses, including the best king mattresses and the best queen mattresses.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Wood (type not listed)
- Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king
- Weight capacity: 350 pounds (twin), 700 pounds (all others)
- Price on publish: $216.99-$299
What we like:
- Inexpensive
- Classic style
What we don’t like:
- A minority of customer reviews complain of the bed arriving with missing or mismatched parts
The bottom line:
An affordable wooden platform bed frame in an attractive, mid-century modern style.
Zinus Allen Mid-Century Wood Platform Bed Frame
Best modern wooden bed frame: Pottery Barn Lyell Bed Frame
While mid-century modern is still wildly popular at present, those seeking a more contemporary look should check out the Lyell from Pottery Barn. A light, coastal-style design with a comfortable, upholstered headboard, it’s also Greenguard Gold certified. For every bed purchased, the company plants a tree, so you can sleep better knowing you’ve done some good.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Rubber wood and beech wood
- Sizes: Full, queen, king
- Weight capacity: 500 pounds
- Price on publish: $1,199-$1,399
What we like:
- Beautiful design
- Free from harmful chemicals
What we don’t like:
- Hardware requires occasional retightening
The bottom line:
A gorgeous, light, modern design that will look good in any contemporary bedroom.
Pottery Barn Lyell Bed Frame
Best wooden bed frame with headboard: Castlery Emery Bed
Several of our picks on this list feature headboards, but Castlery’s Emery bed headboard really caught our eye. Made from solid acacia wood in a walnut stain, it makes a stunning centerpiece for any bedroom. The only proviso is that the bed itself is fairly low, so those who struggle with getting in and out of lower beds might want to look elsewhere.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Solid acacia wood
- Sizes: Queen, king
- Weight capacity: 570 pounds
- Price on publish: $1,299-$1,399
What we like:
- Stunning design
- Option to buy matching nightstands and/or dresser
What we don’t like:
- Might be too low for some
- No underbed storage
The bottom line:
An imposing, elegantly-crafted bed with a truly impressive headboard.
Castlery Emery Bed
Best wooden bed frame with storage: Milliken Storage Platform Bed
If storage is a priority in your bed decision-making, this is likely the one for you. Featuring four massive (61 liters volume each!) storage drawers that blend seamlessly into the base, this rustic-looking bed is also engineered to be sturdy (holding up to 800 pounds), stable, and noise-free. As a bonus, the drawers themselves are detachable, making cleaning and reorganizing more comfortable.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Kiln-dried engineered wood, weathered steel
- Sizes: Full, queen
- Weight capacity: 800 pounds
- Price on publish: $799.99-$899.99
What we like:
- Loads of storage space
- Rustic look
What we don’t like:
- Only available in full or queen
The bottom line:
A great-looking bed that hides a ton of storage space beneath.
Milliken Storage Platform Bed With 4 drawers No Headboard
Best modular wooden bed frame: Floyd The Bed Frame
Having slept on the Floyd bed for the last few years, I can honestly say that there were several categories here that it could have won, but ultimately, modular felt like the best fit. That’s because, although it’s a beautiful-looking bed with a sturdy, angled headboard, the real bonus is that you can add or take away slats from the base, turning it from a twin to a queen to a king in no time at all.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Birch, walnut, or American oak
- Sizes: Full, queen, king
- Weight capacity: 400-600 pounds
- Price on publish: $995-$1,825
What we like:
- Modular
- Stylish
What we don’t like:
- Some might find it a little low to the ground for their taste
The bottom line:
A stylish, modern-looking platform bed that can be turned from a full to a king with very little effort.
Floyd The Bed Frame
Best value wooden bed frame: KD Frames Fold Platform Bed
The insanely cheap price meant this bed frame was in the running for best budget wooden bed frame, too, but it won for best value due to not just being inexpensive, but super convenient. Being foldable, you can store this bed just about anywhere when not in use, and since it’s impressively sturdy for its price and function, it will also support up to 600 pounds.
Specifications:
- Style: Folding
- Material: Wood (specific type not listed)
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen
- Weight capacity: 600 pounds
- Price on publish: $169-$209
What we like:
- Sturdy
- Foldable
What we don’t like:
- Some customer reviews note that the bed squeaks sometimes
The bottom line:
A convenient, foldable option for people looking to save space and money.
KD Frames Fold Platform Bed - Queen
Most luxurious wood bed frame: Thuma The Bed
Luxury shouldn’t just mean something has a large price tag—it should also imply a level of quality and comfort that you can’t get elsewhere. That’s where Thuma’s bed shines, featuring beautiful precision cut Japanese joinery, a comfortable (but minimalist) pillow-board headboard, and double-strength slats lined with felt for extra noise reduction. Thuma also made our list of the all-around best bed frames.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Upcycled rubberwood
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Weight capacity: Not listed
- Price on publish: $995-$1,395
What we like:
- No tools required for assembly
- Made from 100% upcycled wood
- Four color options
What we don’t like:
- The headboard isn’t securely attached to the bed frame
The bottom line:
A modern-looking bed with gorgeous details and multiple wood finish options.
Thuma The Bed
Best wood bed frame with nightstands: Article Nera Bed
Anyone looking for a bed with matching nightstands–aka, those drawers where you hide all the miscellaneous junk that doesn’t seem to have a home anywhere else–would do well to check out the Nera bed from Article (the furniture brand that topped our lists for the most comfortable couches and best outdoor furniture). It features two drawers built into its frankly massive, wall-dominating headboard. The drawers also have hidden cord management, and are designed to close silently.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Veneered American black walnut, engineered wood, solid beech, steel, aluminum
- Sizes: Queen, king, California king
- Weight capacity: Not listed
- Price on publish: $1,399-$1,599
What we like:
- Huge headboard makes it the natural focal point of the room
- Soft-closing nightstand drawers with cable management
What we don’t like:
- Depending on the size of your mattress, the drawers might seem a little low
The bottom line:
A highly functional, very attractive, mid-century modern-style bed.
Article Nera Bed
Best easy-to-assemble wooden bed frame: Nest Woodland Platform
For people who get nervous around screwdrivers and allen keys, The Nest Woodland platform bed has a no-tool assembly. Simply lock the labeled hooks into their respective holes, twist the legs into place, and slide the central support beam into position. Roll out the slats and you’re good to go (to sleep).
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Ash wood
- Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- Weight capacity: Not listed
- Price on publish: $499-$849
What we like:
- On the less expensive end
- Easy to assemble
- Three different finishes
What we don’t like:
- No trial period or returns
The bottom line:
A convenient and stylish platform bed that’s a breeze to put together.
Nest Woodland Platform
Best designed wood bed frame: Allmodern Broughton Solid Wood Bed
Anyone looking for a statement piece should consider Allmodern’s Broughton solid wood bed. Made from solid acacia wood, it features a stunning, live-edge headboard with intricate butterfly joinery, while its flared steel legs add an extra touch of airy elegance. There isn’t a ton of space underneath for storage, but sometimes you sacrifice practicality for style.
Specifications:
- Style: Platform
- Material: Solid acacia wood
- Sizes: Queen, king
- Weight capacity: 700 pounds
- Price on publish: $1,970-$2,260
What we like:
- Stunning design
What we don’t like:
- Not much underbed storage
The bottom line:
A seriously stylish bed with an absolutely exquisite headboard.
Allmodern Broughton Solid Wood Bed
The best places to buy wooden bed frames
“Many mattress manufacturers have made it easy to shop for wooden bed frames that support the mattress you buy,” says Golub. “Not only does this help with seamless delivery and installation, it helps to ensure that your mattress has the best support throughout its lifespan.”
“Explore options at popular furniture retailers for a variety of styles and budgets,” advises Mariya Snisar, head of interior design at Renowell. “Online platforms like Amazon offer a wide selection, and checking customer reviews helps gauge product satisfaction. Local stores may provide unique choices, but make sure you take your time to make comparisons to find the best fit for your needs.”
How we chose the best wooden bed frames
Our selections were made through a mix of personal experience, expert input, and diligent research, particularly in terms of customer reviews, to check that the majority of purchasers were happy with their beds.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What type of wood should you look for when purchasing a wooden bed frame?
“Choosing the best wooden bed frame ultimately comes down to factors such as craftsmanship, quality of wood, and design and engineering,” says Golub. “Different types of wood have their own benefits, drawbacks, appearances, and costs, so consider which option works best with your room and how they complement other wooden items in your bedroom, like the bedside tables or nightstands.”
“The quality of the material is also important,” he continues. “Solid hardwood is very sturdy, but a wooden frame with inferior construction might not hold up as well, so it’s essential to check which hardware and joinery system is used. Thankfully, most beds today are engineered with support systems that can accommodate any mattress, but it's always worth a second look.”
Do wooden beds break easily?
Not if you follow the above advice when choosing a bed! “Wooden beds are popular not only for their timeless aesthetic but also for their durability,” says Golub. “The quality of the wood plays a factor in its longevity as well as the engineering and construction.”
Do you need a boxspring with a bed frame?
“It's possible that you may not need a boxspring, depending on your bed or mattress,” says Golub. “You should be fine if you own a wooden bed with a foundation with slats less than four inches apart. However, some mattresses require a specific type of surface or slats that are a certain distance apart. If that's the case, you may need to cover the wooden slats of your platform bed with plywood before placing your mattress on top.”
Is pine wood good for bed frames?
While pine is strong and generally inexpensive, it can dent a little too easily, so it tends to be used as a secondary or internal material, hidden safely out of sight.
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