If you want a quick answer to "do you need a bed frame," the simple answer is yes, you do need a bed frame. Having a bed frame comes with many benefits that add to your overall sleep quality and protect your mattress from premature damage.
If you want to know more about bed frames and their importance, read till the end and see how bed frames make a difference.
What Is the Purpose of a Bed Frame?
Many people wonder if bed frames are an essential part of their sleeping accessories or not, mainly because countries like Japan have managed to survive without bed frames for decades.
Bed frames provide support to your mattress. You might wonder why you need a bed frame to support your mattress when you already have a box spring to do the job. Well, box springs are the same size as your mattress and offer excellent support, but they often fall short.
For the years to come, mattresses need additional support from bed frames to balance your weight every single night.
When your mattress receives enough support, it transfers the same support to you and keeps your body aligned.
Different types of mattresses need different levels of support but surviving on zero support is simply impossible. The higher the support your mattress receives, the better your experience.
Why Do You Need a Bed Frame?
Even knowing why you need a bed frame, you might wonder if it's a worthy investment or not.
If you are looking for a reason to use a bed frame, check out how they affect your sleep quality and experience.
Better Temperature Regulation
Bed frames allow you to raise your mattress quite a few inches above the floor, which leaves enough room for airflow. Quality bed frames can help one bid farewell to sudden cold drafts or heat loss.
Increased Storage Capacity
One of the most significant benefits of bed frames is the additional storage space. When you leave a space between your mattress and the floor, it gives you enough space to store cartons, old books, or toolkits. If you live in a small apartment with limited space, this can be your biggest perk.
Protects Your Mattress
By holding up your mattress, bed frames allow the mattress material to breathe, enhancing durability.
When you place the mattress directly on the floor and limit airflow, your bed will be more prone to retain moisture, slowly weakening and damaging the material. Excess moisture build-up also creates a breeding ground for germs and dust mites, turning your safe sleeping space into a severe health hazard.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics might not be your priority when deciding if you want a bed frame or not, but having accessories that add to your bedroom's overall aesthetics is always a great idea. Having a bed frame to hold up your mattress offers a clean, minimalist look to your room.
The best part is that brands are coming with multiple types of bed frames so that there is something for everyone's taste.
What If You Don't Have a Bed Frame?
If you don't have a bed frame and do not plan on getting one any time soon, you can opt for any of the following alternatives:
1. Platform Bed Frame
Platform bed frames come with a built-in strong base that offers consistent support to your mattress. It keeps your bed closer to the floor, so you don't have to worry about your children falling off the bed and hurting themselves. However, they do not leave any space for storage.
2. Captain's Bed
If you want the benefits of a traditional bed frame without actually buying one, try a captain's bed. They are strong, firm, and have built-in lockers and drawers for storage purposes.
3. Cinder Blocks
If you want a quick DIY solution, use cinder blocks to support your mattress. Put at least one block on each corner of the bed and one at the center. You can connect the cinder blocks with wooden slats and make your mattress rest on them for additional support.
Can You Put a Mattress On the Floor?
We do not recommend putting your mattress directly on the floor. You might wonder why you need a bed frame when the Japanese place their mattresses directly on the floor.
Well, since this tradition of sleeping on the floor has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries, they have developed a particular type of flooring that does not bring down the efficiency and resilience of their mattress. Also, they use special futon mattresses that are lightweight and maneuverable.
So unless you have a futon mattress and Japanese-style flooring, it's best not to plop your mattress directly on the floor.
On top of that, mattresses placed on the floor do not have a supportive base layer, limiting motion transfer or keeping the mattress in place. In this case, your mattress will keep slipping throughout the night, disrupting your sleep.
Also, some brands that offer extended warranty periods require you to have a supportive bed frame that minimizes chances of premature damage.
Conclusion
Whether to have a bed frame or not is entirely your choice. The bedding industry has evolved over the years and people these days have fancier alternatives for everything. What's ultimately important is to find a competent bed base that protects your mattress, keeps it in place, and helps it support your weight. That's the only way to get maximum return on one's mattress investment.
