“That’s not a bed frame, that’s a box spring,” your interior design savvy friend says, with a lovingly corrective tone and Pinterest boards for every season.
If you aren’t sure what the difference is between a box spring vs bed frame, we are here to clear up the confusion and walk through the different types of box springs out there. If you’ve ever wondered whether to choose a wood box spring vs metal box spring, or a low profile box spring vs regular box spring, this guide will give you clear answers.
At SoftFrame® Designs, we design bed frames with specific bed height and box spring compatibility in mind. Once you understand how to pair a box spring with your bed frame, the guesswork disappears. You will know exactly what you are buying, how it fits, and why it works. Your bedroom will look intentional, balanced, and well designed, without needing a second opinion.
The Basics
Let’s start with the basics. What is a bed frame, and what is a box spring?
A bed frame is the outer structure of your bed. It acts as the railing that surrounds and supports your sleep setup, and some frames, including ours, can also include a headboard. The bed frame holds your foundation, which then supports your mattress. In most cases, a bed frame is primarily a design element that shapes the look of your space.
So what is this “foundation” being referred to? That is your box spring. Your box spring is the base piece of furniture that raises your mattress off the floor and provides stable support. Think of it like a house: your box spring is the concrete slab the house sits on, your bed frame is the landscape around the concrete, and your mattress is the house itself. The box spring supports the mattress and provides the rigid structure all around the sides to create a super comfy and stable modern platform bed.
Bed frames come in many styles and constructions. At SoftFrame®, our platform bed frames offer a modern, space saving look distinct to our brand. Our frames use upholstered fabric and 100% CertiPUR-US® certified foam handcrafted in California, adhering to a high quality standard for durability and performance. Each piece is finished with resilient, soft touch fabrics designed for long term use. You can check out all the fabric swatches we offer here.
Rather than using wood or metal, we believe you should be sleeping in a bed surrounded by something softer. Given the option, you would avoid sleeping on top of a desk or a car, so why surround your bed with the same materials those are made from? Our all cushioned bed sets are lightweight and arrive completely assembled, with no tools or movers required. You simply slide the bed frame over your box spring for an easy setup, allowing you to focus on turning your space into a cozy, intentional retreat.
Our Bed Frames
We offer three styles, each unique in their own way. The Ultra is our most popular design, and also our most luxurious model, ideal for larger spaces and maximum comfort. The Luna is our most distinct style, featuring a curvy design that gives the stylish illusion of floating among the clouds. Finally the Classic, which is similar in spirit to the Ultra, but designed to be space-conscious and sleek, perfect for a minimalist’s dream bedroom.
Each design is available in multiple sizes, depending on the fabric. We exclusively offer Twin sizes for kids’ fabrics only. All other fabrics are available in sizes from Full-California King, except for our kids’ fabrics, which are not offered in California King.
The dimensions vary slightly between styles, so we’ve included the measurements below for your reference. You can also find this information in our size guide here.
The Ultra Collection:
5" ultra cushioned sides
- Twin: 49"W x 80"L x 38"H
- Full: 64"W x 80"L x 38"H
- Queen: 70"W x 85"L x 38"H
- King: 86"W x 85"L x 38"H
- California King: 82"W x 89"L x 38"H
The Luna Collection:
3.5" soft rounded sides
- Twin: 45"W x 79"L x 38"H
- Full: 61"W x 79"L x 38"H
- Queen: 67"W x 84"L x 38"H
- King: 83"W x 84"L x 40"H
- California King: 79"W x 88"L x 40"H
The Classic Collection:
2.5” space conscious sides
- Twin: 43"W x 77.5"L x 38"H
- Full: 59"W x 77.5"L x 38"H
- Queen: 65"W x 82.5"L x 38"H
- King: 81"W x 82.5"L x 38"H
- California King: 77"W x 86.5"L x 38"H
What Box-Spring Should You Get?
When it comes to box springs, we recommend either a low-profile or standard-sized option. We recently talked about the return of low beds, which you can read more about here.
As previously noted, your bed frame size can vary depending on your fabric choice, and the same applies to your box spring. Because dimensions differ slightly between styles, we’ve included the measurements below for reference. The three options compatible with our bed frames are:
- Tall Profile Box Springs
- 8” to 9” in height
- Semi-Sunken Box Springs
- 6.5” to 7.5” in height
- Low Profile Box Springs
- 5” to 6” in height
Design-specific compatibility varies. The Ultra Bed Frame is not compatible with adjustable box springs, box springs with legs, or box springs lifted with a metal frame. The Luna Bed Frame and the Classic Bed Frame are not compatible with adjustable bases. For added height with the Luna and Classic designs, you can use a box spring with legs or lift your box spring with a standard metal bed frame.
The height you choose can affect both the look and functionality of your bedroom. Our bed frames are compatible with metal or wooden box springs, which typically range from 5” to 9” tall depending on how high you’d like your bed to sit above the floor.
When it comes to material, metal box springs are generally considered more affordable and durable than wood box springs because they are made from less expensive materials, are mass-produced, and resist damage more effectively. The choice between a wood box spring vs a metal box spring is yours, but be sure to research each option to find the best fit for your bedroom setup.
Remember: Box springs are required when choosing a SoftFrame® bed frame but are not included with your purchase.
How To Install Your Bed Frame
Installation is simple, which is one of the things that makes SoftFrame® stand out. Follow the steps below and even set a timer, just for fun. Your bed should be ready in ten minutes or less!
- Place the bed frame over and around your box spring
- Slide the headboard (if you purchased one) between the wall and the bed frame
- Place your mattress on top and add your favorite bedding
That’s it. No complicated instructions, no extra tools, and no friend needed to decipher a manual written in gibberish.
What’s Next?
Now that you’ve learned the difference between what supports your mattress and what defines your space, and have a clear understanding of how bed height, box spring compatibility, and frame design work together to create a functional bedroom, you might be asking yourself: where do I go from here?
Luckily, you’re already in the right place. Shop our collection to make SoftFrame® Designs part of your home. That way, the next time your interior design savvy friend walks in, there will be no corrections needed. Just a pause, a nod, and maybe a photo for their Pinterest board. After all, this time, it really is a bed frame. Not just any bed frame, but THE bed frame.
For any remaining questions, check out our FAQ page or contact us here.