In the market for a bed frame for the first time since uni and quite surprised at the price range out there. Everything from a couple hundred bucks on eBay to a couple of grand from more recognisable names, and they often don’t look too different. So I’d like to hear feedback from people who bought at both ends of the spectrum, and whether you’re happy or wish you’d paid a bit more or less.
How Much Was Your Bed Frame and Are You Happy with It?
PurchaseAnxiety on 03/04/2023 - 20:13
Comments
I've got the Ikea Mandal bed frame. Paid about $500-600 for it a few years ago, now retailing for $800. It's a solid bedframe with functional storage. Probably one of the most solid pieces of Ikea furniture I've owned. The drawers are used daily and haven't missed a beat. Still looks like new. Only complaint is that the size of it is slightly larger than a standard size mattress and the mattress can slide a bit on it. Annoying, but not a huge issue. It's been good value.
We had a Super A-Mart wooden bedframe before that. I would hit my thigh on it as I walked around it, and had a permanent bruise. There was no storage underneath and it used up more room than necessary - making it hard to get around it when we had a smaller room.
Bed frames are something you can often get a good deal on second-hand, and then put the money into a new mattress. Have a think about what's important to you (storage, looks, space etc) before purchasing.
Be cautious with on-line only. I tried tommy swiss. Does the job but wish i had got something better.
I'm all about the base. I don't think I've ever bought one, there's always just been one around.
About $2k
It’s Tasmanian Blackwood; had it for 12 years. Absolutely love it. Built to last an eternity and no plans to change / get it if it
Got mine on sale at Provincial. Think they still sell a colour of it (Alexander or something). For the price (I paid $500, think they're $800 now), it's simple and effective. Looks the part, easy to clean, doesn't squeak and keeps the quilts on in winter. https://www.provincialhomeliving.com.au/alexander-queen-bed-…
If I had my time again, I would buy an Empire Bed. Purely because I want to. https://www.empirebeds.net/
$100 on facebook marketplace, solid timber, modified it to be more rigid with extra centre legs & proper joinery. Its the first bed frame that has never given me issues. All the retail ones these days are held together with crappy fastening mechanisms that work loose/squeak.
$700- (plus $100 shipping/delivery)- Double Bed:
Solid wood, 'traditional' style, timber slats, headboard with built-in shelf, stained dark walnut, nice quality carpentry, easily assembled at home. It's two years old now, I've had no problems and am really happy with it.
I ordered it online, from an Australian owned Victorian store specialising in timber furniture (most made in Vietnam) and it was delivered to my home about 10 days later.
and they often don’t look too different
Except they are very different.
Those $200 frames you're talking about generally have a weight limit of around 120kg because they are made of such bad materials. They'll also creek, fall apart, and if they have any upholstery, be really dodgy. They also won't be any solid wood construction, hence the poor weight support. Additionally you'll notice that if there are slats then on cheaper ones they will have less slats and they'll be further apart, further compounding the weight issue and affecting your sleep.
You get what you pay for like anything in life. a $200 bed frame is not the same as a $800 one.
It also depends on what features you want. Do you need underbed storage, does it need to be gas lift as opposed to drawers, what about headboard storage, upholstered or not. All of these will factor into the pricing.
I would say either get a reputable product like Ikea, Snooze or a second hand one of them from Facebook/Gumtree. do NOT get those 'great looking' $200 ones you see advertised online. If you really are interested in them, check out the reviews first.
I just bought a heavy wooden double frame from Snooze, it cost me $900, and for that a guy came around and put it together. I'm more than happy.
$550 + delivery for a king from https://wfc.com.au/ to replace the Ikea paper bedframe.
Most of it are plywood. Not great quality but it should be better than those cheapest ones from eBay. One of the middle support legs broke and I cut a small piece of solid timber to replace. Does the job and can't complain for that price.
They have hardwood stuff as well just cost a bit more.
I bought few IKEA Tarva. Cheap, so far they are still strong after 7 years. I love they have openings in the bottom, allowing air flow to mattress. Note they have 2 different slatted base, the cheaper one will lower the overall cost, lower height, while the other one is the default one, slightly higher in height.
Yeah Ikea are good, just got a Idanas - super super put together and I guess they make them to be safe - i.e. so many screws and its rock solid after you put together. Old bed was squeaky and was really only held together wit the long beams connected from headboard to foot board.
Eva queen base ~$900 a couple of years back (now retails at $1,100). Quality is fine and it really did take less than 10 minutes to assemble. It's aesthetically pleasing (to me at least), but you can get away with spending much less. I'd buy the same again likely, just because I find the style pleasing and it's much cheaper than other options I liked.
$800 and I do really like it, the slats creak occasionally but there's not much you can do about that. It's a good height, a nice style and had drawers in the foot for storage.
Last two beds have been custom and very chunky timber. So rock solid and absolutely no issues with them.
That said, bed frames are… pretty simple things. I'd be surprised if after a certain point of quality there's really any noticeable advantage save for aesthetics. This is assuming no fancy stuff like gas lift or drawers, and no plywood.
The kids have secondhand frames. One is 30 year old wood, the other is more recent MDF. Both seem fine.