Ever drifted into a dream on a creaky bed? Discover why choosing the right wood for your bed frame is your first step to a serene slumber.
Since I came to this field, I have designed many furniture items, among which I have also designed a large number of beds.
In my experience, I consider many factors when creating a bed, especially the type of wood. All other decisive factors depend on the type of wood you choose for the bed
So, I did some research with the help of experts to find out the best wood for making bed frames in terms of durability, stability, and appearance.
According to the results, Here are the Best wood for bed frame,
- Ash
- Beech
- Bamboo
- Birch
- Cedar
- Cherry
- Douglas Fir
- Ebony
- Mahogany
- Maple (Hard and Soft Maple)
- Red oak
- White oak
- White pine
- Yellow pine
- Poplar Wood
- Teak
- Walnut
But there’s a lot more to know!
So, in this article, I’ll explore the best wood for bed frame with their qualities, pros, and cons with my personal experiences.
Furthermore, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions as well.
So, let’s jump in!
Factors You Need To Consider When Selecting Wood for Bed Frame
First of all, when finding wood, there are several components that should be looked at.
Let’s talk about each factor in detail.
Weight
You should get a wooden frame that gives you a comfortable sleep. Generally, heavier frames can handle more weight.
However, heavy frames are difficult to move around, making it difficult to rearrange the bed or move the house.
Size
If you want to get a comfortable sleep, you need to choose the right size wooden frame. You’ve been asleep for about a third of your life.
You don’t want to spend the whole time in an uncomfortable bed. Choosing a bed frame that fits your mattress well is essential.
Noise
Wood is a natural material that reacts to its environment.
So when you plan to buy your bed frame, you should choose a type of wood that can withstand changes in temperature and humidity.
Wood tends to expand and contract, which can make loud noises. Many people have had this problem.
So, I suggest you always consider the stability of the wood.
Cost
As mentioned earlier, hardwoods are more expensive than softwoods when used for wood furniture.
This is a problem that many people face. Many people buy very low-quality used bed frames for a low price.
They deteriorate over time and are not worth the money they bought.So try to choose the best type of wood that suits your budget.
Finishing
When considering this material for making bed frames, the final finish of the wood should be considered.
The reason is that it brings good beauty to the room. Red oak has a dark grain pattern and it can be stained, dark, or natural finish.
Maple has a unique look, but you can stain this wood. Cedarwood has a light brown finish.
Maintenance
There is a possibility that some wood will be destroyed with time. Therefore, they need maintenance work.
For some wood, maintenance work should be done every year or several years.
Therefore, when choosing a wood for a draw frame, you should choose a wood that requires less maintenance.
Some woods require maintenance with materials such as wax or oil, while others last longer without maintenance.
Read to know How To Make Bed Slats Stronger!
Best Wood for Bed Frame with Pros and Cons
You have a good understanding of how to choose the right wood according to the above factors.
Now let’s look at the types of wood suitable for making bed frames.
1. Ash
Ashwood is a very versatile wood. It can be used to build various wooden furniture for different purposes.
It has a light color which makes it aesthetically pleasing. Also, it is suitable for various room decorations.
Read to know how hard ash wood is before using it to make a bed frame.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ash Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Easy to work with | Susceptible to insects and fungal attacks |
| Stylish aesthetic | Not suitable for outdoors |
| Strong | |
| Easy to stain |
2. Beech
Beechwood is a hardwood with high durability and excellent stability. Beech produces high-end planks that are super useful when making bed frames.
This type of wood is highly sought after by manufacturers due to its reputation for reliability and quality that surpasses other timber planks.
Moreover, it gives a specific and consistent thickness, uniformity, and precision that should be considered when constructing a plank.
This quality makes it a preferred choice for craftsmen who prioritize precision and consistency.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Beech Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Strong | Not advisable for outdoor use |
| User friendly | Expensive |
| Beautiful wood |
3. Bamboo
Bamboo is a popular choice among woodworkers because it is lightweight and can be found in many countries because of its biological and fast-growing properties.
Therefore, it can withstand many climatic conditions. Bamboo is extremely strong for bed frame and it can bear loads.
Bamboo wood is used not only for drawing frames but also for many other things.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bamboo Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Strong | Difficult to work with |
| Durable | Expensive compared to other woods |
| Easily accessible |
4. Birch
I personally like the clean look of birch wood. It is a fine wood with a generally uniform texture and makes all kinds of beautiful furniture.
Birchwood is a light wood that falls under the hardwood category.
It is used for the construction of medium-thickness boards. It is stronger than oak. And it can support heavy loads for long periods of time.
One of the biggest drawbacks of birch is that it cannot withstand extreme conditions.
However, it is an excellent choice for indoor wooden furniture such as bed frames.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Birch Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Strong wood | Unusual color |
| Attractive | Expensive |
| Durable |
5. Cedar
Cedar is also a good choice if you prefer softwood for your bed frame. Cedar is considered a soft wood, usually softer than pine.
In terms of Janka hardness, pine is 420, and cedar is 320. Cedar wood is very durable, and strong. It can last a long time with proper care and attention.
In comparison, woods like mahogany and maple are rated 1,000+ Junk.
However, the Janka rating is not the most important factor in assessing the quality of wood.
For example, cedarwood is considered one of the most durable woods. It lasts decades, centuries with good maintenance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cedar Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Durable wood | Color tends to fade with time |
| Lightweight | Flammable |
| Good thermal insulator |
6. Cherry
Many woodworkers like to use cherry wood for bed frames and planks. Cherry wood is a hard and durable material that can also be used for outdoor furniture.
This type of wood is very durable, and its heartwood is resistant to rotting.
Natural ones have a light pink tone, which oxidizes to a red-brown color. But cherry wood can be stained to achieve the final look you desire.
The same applies to other wooden furniture, including outdoor furniture and garden wooden Adirondack chairs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cherry Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Durable | Expensive |
| Attractive | Does not resist water |
| Strong |
7. Douglas Fir
Douglas fir is originally native to North America and grows mainly from the Pacific coast of British Columbia to California.
Douglas fir wood is produced from the Douglas fir tree and is sourced from plantations throughout North America.
This type of wood has a natural beauty.
Even though Douglas fir is considered as a softwood, it has an excellent strength to use as a bed frame material.
This gives Douglas fir furniture an attractive look.
It is naturally resistant to fungal and insect attacks and has exceptional weather resistance when exposed to extreme conditions.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Douglas Fir Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Solid | Expensive |
| Durable | Scratches easily |
| Pest resistant |
8. Ebony
Ebony wood is one of the most sought-after wood species due to its superior quality. This wood is very durable and stable.
Ebony wood has a very attractive appearance.
It is a special type of wood that many people choose for making wooden frames and planks.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ebony Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Resistant to insects and termite attack | Expensive |
| Stable and durable | Difficult to work with |
| Attractive |
9. Mahogany
Mahogany wood is one of the woods in demand when building bed frames.
Mahogany is a popular choice for many woodworking projects due to its excellent hardness and high durability.
It is known for its amazing grain pattern and rich color. The wood from this wood can be easily sanded and stained. However, mahogany dust can cause allergies.
With its beautiful, even grain and reddish-brown color that darkens over time to create a glossy red color when polished, mahogany is an ideal choice for bed frames.
Mahogany is also notable for its high resistance to water and moisture. It does not shrink, heat, or swell even in severe weather.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Mahogany Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Naturally resistant to weather | Expensive |
| Durable | Many fakes and copies |
| Beautiful wood |
10. Maple (Hard and Soft Maple)
Many woodworkers use maple sapwood instead of heartwood to make furniture because sapwood is easier to work with and more beautiful.
Maple wood (hard or soft) is one of the best woods for bed frame construction.
It is generally easy to work with and has a unique straight-grain texture.
This type of wood can be stained and painted. However, it is not as easy as other types.
Maple wood is a good choice for quality bed frames. It falls under the hardwood category.
It is strong but light wood and its natural appearance makes it easy to work with and aesthetically pleasing.
However, comes at a high price. Maple is rated toxic because it can cause allergic reactions. It is slightly heavier than other wood species.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Maple Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Strong | Expensive |
| Durable | Not pest-resistant |
| Polishes well |
11. Red Oak
Oak is one of the most popular woods used for durable furniture and bed frames because of its strength, durability, and classic look.
The wood comes from oak trees, which you can find in North America and Europe. It is very grainy wood and has a tiger stripe grain pattern.
This type of wood is strong and sturdy enough to withstand everyday use.
Red oak ranges from light brown to pinkish red and has a swirling, water-like grain pattern – making it the more beautiful of the two.
It is a strong and heavy wood with a light brown color that darkens with age.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Red Oak Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Highly durable | Staining can darken the hue |
| Resistant to warping | Expensive |
| Resist fungal and insect attacks |
12. White Oak
White oak and red oak are high-strength and durable wood. This is also found in North America and Europe.
White oak has a tiger-stripe grain pattern with yellow rays and spots.
Oak wood has high levels of tannin, which helps protect against rot, decay and insect infestation.
Advantages and Disadvantages of White Oak Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Highly durable | Staining can darken the hue |
| Resistant to warping | Expensive |
| Resist fungal and insect attacks |
13. White Pine
Pine wood is another type of wood that is considered one of the best woods for making bed frames
Pine is a softwood. It belongs to a family of trees known as conifers, which are seed plants with cones. However, this does not mean that it is too soft.
Pine wood is very strong and very durable.
Although not suitable for outdoor furniture, it is an excellent choice for indoor furniture, including bed frames.
White pine is another common wood used for wooden bed frames. It is common and widely available. It can be distinguished by its light, white color with a medium texture. Also, it has a closed-grain pattern.
Advantages and Disadvantages of White Pine Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Sturdy | Soft |
| Easy to work with | Easily scratched |
| Easy on the budget |
14. Yellow Pine
As mentioned above, yellow pine wood is one of the best woods for making bed frames.
Yellow pine wood is a high-quality wood that can make durable and strong bed frames.
The wood is heavy due to its dense grain.
It is recommended to make king-size beds. Be careful when buying yellow pine. Do not confuse it with ponderosa pine and sugar pine.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Yellow Pine Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Sturdy | Soft |
| Easy to work with | Easily scratched |
| Easy on the budget |
15. Poplar Wood
In general, poplar wood is a good material for building slats, which makes it a good wood for assembling bed frames. Poplar is a strong and durable wood.
It is generally easy to work with and can be stained and painted like other types of wood. In addition, it is a good alternative to pine wood.
Although poplar is not as strong and durable as the other woods in this article, it is a popular choice because of its affordability.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Poplar Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Strong | Too soft |
| Durable | Hard to stain |
| Easy on the budget |
16. Teak
Teak wood is a popular and well-loved wood for various woodworking projects. It is strong and can be used for indoor and outdoor wooden furniture.
It is resistant to water and other wear and tear that can damage wooden furniture. It will not warp or break over time.
Teak is naturally rich in oil which means it retains its shape and color no matter how much use it takes.
It has rich, warm colors that make it an attractive choice for any bedroom.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Teak Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Versatile wood | Expensive |
| Resistant to rot and decay | Hard to source |
| Resistant to termites |
17. Walnut
Walnut wood comes from the deciduous walnut tree, which you can find in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Due to its stunning dark brown color and attractive grain pattern, it is a popular choice among woodworkers for high-end furniture.
Especially for making a wooden bed frame. It is very durable and stable, and it is shock-resistant.
In addition, not only bed frames, you can make headboards with walnuts. Walnut wood also contains natural oils, which help protect against water damage and rot.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Walnut Wood
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Has several colors | Expensive |
| Durable | Color variations can be unpleasant |
| Attractive |
Best Wood to Make a Bed Frame: Softwoods vs. Hardwoods
Both types of wood should be suitable for a bed frame, but there are times when softwood is better than hardwood.
One major difference between the two is that hardwood is more durable and water resistant.
Wood lasts longer and maintenance is minimal. Hardwood has distinctive grain structures and deep colors.
Also, hardwood bed frames are more expensive compared to softwoods. Softwoods are known to be cheaper than their hardwood counterparts.
The important thing to remember is that hardwoods are generally harder than softwoods and thus more durable and wear-resistant.
They last longer and require less maintenance. Above all, hardwoods have more distinctive grain structures and darker colors that many people prefer.
However, hardwood products, including bed frames, are significantly more expensive than their softwood counterparts. Meanwhile, softwoods from conifers stand out for their workability and availability.
These two properties mean that softwood products are much more affordable than hardwoods. Softwood is also lightweight.
So, if you focus on getting quality, you should choose a rigid frame. Durability, style and budget are not an issue.
However, if you’re looking for a short-term solution on a budget, a softwood bed frame would be an excellent choice.
Wood is a very popular material for making strong and long-lasting beds.
There is no one type of wood that is best when making a bed frame, and as discussed earlier, different species have advantages and disadvantages.
Hardwood is generally harder than softwood. They can often turn your bedroom into an eye-catching space.
If you are looking for a long-term investment that comes with quality, durability and style, wood bed frames are for you.
Softwood is available from coniferous trees, and they are distinguished by both workability and availability.
All of this makes softwoods a more affordable option, and an ideal choice if you’re looking for a short-term solution on a budget.
The points described above are summarized in the table below.
Hardwoods vs. Softwoods for Bed Frame
| Aspect | Hardwood | Softwood |
| Durability | More durable and water-resistant | fewer durable |
| Maintenance | Minimal maintenance required | Requires more maintenance |
| Cost | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Grain Structure Color | Distinctive grain structures Deeper colors | Less distinctive grain structuresLighter colors |
| Availability | Less readily available | More readily available |
| Workability | Less workable | More workable |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Long-term Investment | Yes | No |
| Short-term Budget | No | Yes |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bed Frames
I am now going to explain the advantages and disadvantages I have received since I started making frames, as well as the responses I have received from customers.
Those advantages and disadvantages are important for someone who is new to this.
Pros
Sustainability
One of the most important advantages of using wood is that wooden bed frames are sustainable.
Unlike metal, wood will rot easily.
It will not rust. In addition, it can be turned into fertilizer to fertilize new vegetation growth.
Practicality
In terms of practicality, wood is more practical than metal for bed frames.
Metallic ones are prone to rust and can expose people to electromagnetic fields (EMF).
Durability
Wood is a very durable material. Metal frames can last a lifetime, but some types of wood products also last a long time.
Some wood species, such as walnut wood, can last up to 70 years, while others can last a century with proper care.
Design options
When it comes to design options, wood is very versatile and can be easily shaped compared to metal.
This can add value to the bed frame, especially if you plan to carve intricate designs on it.
Cons
Price
The main disadvantage of using wood for your bed frame is the price.
Compared to other bed frame materials, wooden bed frames are more expensive.
For example, oak boards, a hardwood species, can cost up to ten dollars per foot.
Weight
The specific type of wood will affect the resulting weight.
Heavy wood is usually better for constructing bed frames compared to metal ones.
This can be a challenge, especially when changing beds or moving residences.
That’s it, folks! Now you know all the best wood for bed frame with their qualities with pros and cons.
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
What makes wood a favorable material for bed frames?
Wood stands as a premium choice for bed frames due to its sustainability, ease of styling, durability, and practicality, setting it apart from metal frames, which are less desirable due to issues like rusting and exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF).
How does the sustainability of wooden bed frames compare to metal frames?
Wooden frames have an edge in sustainability as they decompose easily, contributing to the growth of new trees, unlike metal which does not decay and can potentially contribute to environmental degradation.
Is there a considerable cost difference between wooden and metal bed frames?
Yes, premium wooden bed frames, especially those made from in-demand hardwoods like oak, tend to be significantly more expensive compared to their metal counterparts.
What are the typical characteristics of hardwoods used in bed frames?
Hardwoods, derived from flowering trees, are recognized for their durability, distinctive grain structures, and darker colors, offering a rich choice for those not restrained by budget considerations.
Are softwoods a viable option for bed frames?
Absolutely. Softwoods, coming from coniferous trees, are celebrated for their workability and affordability, making them a great option for those seeking budget-friendly, short-term solutions.
Can you recommend some top wood types for bed frames?
Certainly, some of the best woods for crafting bed frames include oak, walnut, and maple which are popular for their strength and visual appeal, with pine and cedar emerging as excellent, cost-effective alternatives.
How do I prevent my wooden bed frame from squeaking?
To avoid a squeaky bed frame, opt for dimensionally stable wood types and ensure to regularly tighten the joints, cushion the slats, and oil the frame for smooth functionality.
What considerations should I keep in mind when choosing wood for a bed frame?
When selecting wood for a bed frame, remember to consider factors like the weight of the frame, ease of assembly, potential noise issues due to wood swelling, and selecting the appropriate size for ultimate comfort.
Is cedar suitable for sauna construction as well as bed frames?
Yes, cedar, known for its durability and aromatic qualities, is a top choice not only for bed frames but also for sauna construction, offering heat insulation and requiring low maintenance.
How can I enhance the strength of my bed frame?
Enhancing the strength of your bed frame can be achieved by adding support such as box springs or plywood over the slats, securing the slats firmly, and reinforcing the central supporting beam.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Wood for Bed Frame
In this article, I’ve deeply discussed the best wood for bed frame by taking the qualities of each wood which are important when making bed frames with their advantages and disadvantages.
Plus, I’ve included my personal experiences and recommendations which are important to you when selecting wood for bed frames.
The best wood for bed frame are hardwoods such as oak, maple, and walnut due to their durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal. Cedar and pine are excellent, more affordable options.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
Hope you‘ve larned everything you want to know about the best wood for bed frame in detail.
Now, it’s time to read the above article several times and select the wood you prefer the most for making your bed frame strong and attractive.
