The Best King-Size Bed

Buying Guide

There are many milestones on the way to adulthood, and one of the most satisfying is when you purchase your first king-size bed. The feeling when you stretch out and take in all that extra mattress space is sublime — until the spouse and kids hop on and take up their share of the room.

For obvious reasons, king-size beds are ideal for families, especially those with children who might join the parents at bedtime. The bed frame for that mattress will make a statement no matter what kind of bedroom it’s in, so it’s important to buy with an eye toward looks, durability and comfort (not necessarily in that order).

The first thing is to make sure that your frame will support that mattress. The generally accepted measurement for a king-size mattress is 76 inches by 80 inches, but there are offshoots. “California king” is the most popular at 72 inches by 84 inches. You can also find much larger “Texas king” or “Alaskan king” sizes, but for the most part king-size is fairly standard. Measure first to make sure your bedroom can accommodate that kind of bed and still allow room for nightstands and other furniture. Leave at least two feet of clearance on the sides, or your room (and you) will feel cramped.

There are many different styles of bed frame, but the main practical consideration is the surface your mattress will lie on. Traditional bed frames have slats (typically made of wood) arranged in rows. On top of these goes a box spring or some other intermediate layer that supports the mattress. This type of frame is generally more affordable, and it works well for a number of reasons: The slats allow for a tiny bit of “bounce” that helps beds stay springy, and the extra airflow between the slats keeps things from heating up too much under the bed.

Platform bedframes tend to have a more modern look. The frame is solid all the way through, and with that support there’s no need for a box spring — the mattress just sits right on top. This type works best for memory foam mattresses, and makes any kind of mattress feel a bit more firm. There’s usually a lot more space underneath the frame if storage is a concern. One issue that can occur with platform frames is a buildup of moisture underneath the mattress. This can make it warmer and even result in mildew if you don’t flip your mattress every so often, or use protective layers or treatments to mitigate it.

From there, you can choose from a wide variety of looks. Some frames come with a headboard attached, while others are made to “float” in front of one or with none at all. You’ll want to choose with an eye toward what fits your decor, and don’t “sleep” on the storage potential either: You can find headboards that have incorporated bookcases or pocket areas for remote controls. Remember, this is where you’ll spend most of your hours after dark. Make it a frame that says “home” like nothing else in your house.

• King-size bed frames can take up a lot of room, but make sure while you’re measuring those dimensions, you’re also sizing up the height. Beds that are too low or too high can be painful or even harmful to get into and out of for those with back pain or other injuries.
• Traditional slatted bed frames tend to sit a bit lower, while platforms are built higher — though that can vary a lot by style.
• There’s no hard and fast rule how tall your bed should be, but somewhere around 20 inches high is a good range.
• Find what works for you by simply sitting on the side of the bed. If your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle while your feet are flat on the floor, you’ve hit the sweet spot.