You hit the showroom floor and order your preferred mattress after testing out and negotiating with the salespeople. Just when you’re about to leave after spending hundreds of dollars and possibly more on your mattress, you remember that you’ve still have not bought a frame for the mattress.
At that point, you cannot help but wonder. Should you just switch to lying on the floor and save your wallet the cost of a bed frame?
In any case, why do mattresses need frames in the first place? Well, this is because frames offer extra support for you to get a good night’s sleep as well as elevation from the ground, extra storage, and other benefits.
The History of Bed Frames
Bed frames have been in use for multiple centuries. While they used to be a sign of wealth in the 17th and 18th centuries, they evolved to become a necessity for people of all classes. Walk into any castle in Germany or France and you’ll be amazed at the level of thought that went into designing frames for the Aristocrats and Nobles who lived within that period.
Bed frames have become more common especially in the last century. In the United States, many people ditched their beds in the 1960s and 1970s when the hippie movement became popular. The prevalent weather within that period where summers became warmer also made it easier for people to embrace sleeping on the floor instead of beds.
Types of Bed Frames
Bed frames come in several types. The most popular ones include :
- Standard beds
- Murphy beds
- Trundles
- Daybeds
- Bunk beds
- Panel beds
- Sleigh beds
- Folding beds
- Santiago beds
- 4-Poster beds
- Canopy beds
- Ottoman beds
- Storage beds
- Convertible sofa beds
- Rattan beds
- Metal beds
- Pallet beds
- Bookcase beds
Benefits of sleeping on a Mattress with Frame
There are multiple reasons why the right frame is critical to your comfort throughout the night. Here are the benefits of sleeping on a mattress and bed frame combination.
1. Elevation
The average mattress is 8-10 inches high. This may be too low for many especially those recovering from illnesses and injuries when laid directly on the floor. This inadequate elevation can also make it difficult for doctors and other healthcare professionals to attend to you without having to sit on the floor.
In such cases, the level of elevation these bed frames provide can prove extremely valuable. Can you imagine how a team of nurses, phlebotomists, lab technicians, and food service personnel will be able to do their jobs effectively on a patient lying on the floor?
Besides, being raised off the ground makes the sleeper more comfortable. He or she can undergo many activities in bed easier. From reading to watching TV or working on a laptop, a bed frame gives you a higher ground to operate from.
This can prevent all sorts of issues ranging from neck to back pain. Why do you think many consumers order a new bed frame quickly when they are forced to spend a few nights on the floor after their old frames break?
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2. Sex
Have you ever tried getting intimate with your partner on the floor? It is not exactly comfortable. And nothing kills off sex more than a rough sleeping surface. This may not be much of a problem for teens and young adults due to their amazing levels of energy.
But the situation can be different for older folks. Bed frames often give you more stability which in turn boosts your sex life.
Besides, getting intimate on a raised surface improves your comfort and makes the act less stressful on the joints and other parts of the body.
Have you seen the article we wrote on the best sex pillows for couples? Check it out here.
3. Support for Box Springs
The average person has a bigger waistline today than a few decades ago meaning the majority of us require more support for comfortable sleeping. Box springs are popular in North America but the degree of support they offer may not always be enough for everyone.
This is because box springs have no legs to support the full weight of not only the mattress but the sleeper’s body as well and this is where bed frames come in handy. They provide additional support for box springs to enable you to sleep more comfortably without worrying about support issues.
Additionally, placing box springs on the direct floor can lead to a myriad of problems including scratches to the floor. This can cost you a lot of money down the line.
If you rent an apartment or home, you may have to kiss your security deposit goodbye the next time you decide to move.
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4. Easy Getting On and Off
Kids and teens usually have no problems getting up from the ground but things can change as they get older. Middle and old age can make tasks such as getting out of a floor mattress daunting. Pregnant women, especially those in their third trimesters, may have an even more difficult time getting off beds on the floor.
Additionally, can you imagine how to get off a mattress on the floor when you’re sick and can barely move?
The good news is that bed frames make it easy to get on and off your bed thanks to the level of elevation they provide. Unfortunately, many suffering from tired, worn-out knees struggle to get off mattresses on bed frames even with all the built-in elevation. So it is safe to say that getting off the floor will be even more of a bigger ask.
Fortunately, bed frames come with different heights so feel free to choose one with the right height for your needs.
5. Reduces Pressure On the Mattress
Except for floor mats and futons, most mattresses are not built for direct sleeping on the floor. Manufacturers assume that their products will be placed on some type of bed frame or the other. Thus, they make support and durability calculations based on that.
As such, ditching your bed in favor of direct sleeping can put the mattress under excessive pressure. This may cause squeaking noises in the case of innerspring models over time.
Even in latex and memory foam mattresses, excessive pressure may lead to sagging in the middle or any other spot you or your partner prefer to lie. This can cause problems for your spine as the uneven sleeping surface can rob you of the ability to lie down at a healthy angle.
Another reason why bed frames are so important is that they protect your mattress from unnecessary pressure. This maximizes the lifespan of the mattress while ensuring that you get optimum comfort every night.
6. Good Temperature Regulation
Did you know that bed frames offer amazing benefits for temperature regulation while you sleep? The elevation from the ground can be great for sleepers during winter when room temperatures plummet to insane levels.
Since heat rises, lying down on a mattress and bed frame combination gives you a lot of warmth during the harsh winter months. A massive amount of the cold air circulating your room ends up on the floor. This can make it impossible to sleep when you are lying on a mattress that hits the floor directly.
Bed frames enhance comfort by allowing your body heat to warm up the mattress while sleeping. During cold waves, body heat alone can do wonders for your sleeping comforts. Additionally, frames keep your mattress from getting musty as they allow some amount of air to circulate the mattress.
Thus, if you live in a cold region, you cannot afford to ignore the power of bed frames.
7. Sanitation
Can you imagine the inconvenience of sweeping or mopping a floor that also houses your mattress? The absence of bed frames can make sanitation a real problem. While most futons and floor mats are easy to roll up, a 10-inch queen size mattress is not.
You’re likely to leave it at one spot for months or even years. However, the minimal air circulation around the mattress spot can make it easy for molds and insects to breed and thrive. If you’ve ever left a mattress on the floor for some time, you’ll be amazed at what you discover beneath when you lift or move it to another spot.
Besides, sleeping on a bedroom floor mattress exposes you to significant amounts of dust and dirt. This can cause breathing problems that can affect your health, especially if you’re asthmatic or suffer other respiratory issues.
If you own dogs, cats, or other pets, your sanitation problems will only compound when you rely on a floor mattress. These pets may pick up a lot of dirt from their outdoor movements and transfer it directly to your bedroom floor. Don’t forget that the majority of our puppies and kittens love to frolic on our beds, staining the mattresses in the process.
8. Maintain the Warranty
Warranty is one of the main factors we consider when shopping for a new mattress. Sometimes, the choice between 2 models comes down to which one offers a longer warranty.
So it makes no sense that you’ll make choices that intentionally void the warranty on your mattress. Have you ever taken the time to read those nitty-gritty details that ship with each mattress? Most brands demand that you place their models on Box springs or bed frames. This is because of their awareness of the risks involved when you leave the mattress on the direct floor for long periods.
Going contrary to that automatically voids the warranty and puts your mattress at risk of damage without any chance of a reprieve from the manufacturer.
Thus, bed frames do not only enhance the durability of your mattress. They can also help you stay on the right side of the warranty conditions. This gives you the best bang for your buck in the long run.
9. Underbed Storage
Have you taken the time to look under the bed in anyone’s bedroom? You’ll be amazed at the list of things you find there. The degree of elevation bed frames provides does not only raise you from the floor. It also gives you extra storage for all sorts of items including shoes, bags, and camping gear.
The good news is that the higher your bed frame from the ground, the larger the amount of under bed storage space you can get.
Do you live in a studio or apartment with limited space? The extra under-bed storage space can be valuable in so many ways. It could even save you from being forced to splash out on a bigger apartment.
10. Feng Shui
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that promotes the use of energy forces to bring more harmony between an individual and his surroundings. Feng Shui promotes the use of bed frames and other sleeping surfaces that raise you off the floor because they promote proper circulation of your energy.
This essentially means lying down on the floor stagnates your energy which can be detrimental to your ability to sleep well.
No wonder many people move back to their beds after a few straight nights of floor sleeping.
Can You Sleep on a Mattress Without Frame?
Can you sleep on a mattress without a bed frame? The answer is yes, you can. People from many cultures around the world have nothing like beds and frames in their sleeping space. They simply retire on mattresses and mats by placing them directly on the floor.
While millions of people enjoy floor sleeping, it is not without its problems including difficulties in getting in and out of bed. Floor sleeping can also be quite difficult to get used to after sleeping on a bed all your life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a mattress if you have a box spring?
The answer is yes. Box springs by themselves cannot provide enough support for the weight of the mattress and the sleeper’s body. The fact that they have no legs also means they cannot provide the level of stability you need to enjoy a good night’s rest.
What is the purpose of a headboard?
Headboards offer back support for reading, watching movies, and other activities around bedtime before you drift off to sleep. They can also add more personality to your bedroom without any problems.
What is the best type of bed frame?
There’s no universal type of bed frame that stands out as the best. Some people prefer wooden frames with slats and headboards. Others swear by metallic bed frames. It is up to you to choose the type that best meets your needs.
How long do bed frames last?
The right wooden or metallic bed frame can outlast multiple mattresses. With the average mattress lasting 8-10 years, you can get a few decades of good use out of a single bed frame.
Can a bed frame ruin your mattress?
Yes, a weak bed frame can ruin your mattress in many ways. In the case of innerspring mattresses, It can cause sagging and damaged springs.
Conclusion
For most people, the bed frame vs no bed frame debate is no problem at all. Many believe bed frames are a must and going without them can lead to more problems than they solve. But the choice of getting a frame is yours to make. Hopefully, you’ll make the right one with everything you’ve learned after going through the reasons why mattresses need frames.