CAN AN ADJUSTABLE BED FIT IN A BED FRAME
If you have slept just one night on an adjustable bed, you know there is no going back. Honestly, it makes sleeping at hotels a little painful…
If you have not yet tried an adjustable bed, you are in for a treat. Prepare to be amazed! But of course, the question on everyone’s mind is: can an adjustable bed fit in a bed frame?
And we are here to tell you which bed frames work best with adjustable beds. as well as what might not quite fit the bill. We have experimented with several styles and did all the homework so you don’t have to!
Table of Contents
What Is An Adjustable Bed Frame?
While a bed frame is the frame (i.e., wood, metal) in which you fit your mattress, an adjustable bed frame is a type of bed frame that allows you to raise or lower the angle of your torso and/or legs and feet. The small motor underneath the base in linked to a remote, and lets you adjust the angle of the head and foot sections of the bed.
A few years ago, those high-tech beds were reserved to the medical world. They helped, and continue to help, patients with limited resources, pain, and fatigue, switch positions without putting stress on their bodies. While no one would willingly choose a hospital stay, we must admit that hospital beds are quite comfortable.
Today, adjustable beds have made their way to residential homes, and we are not complaining! Some adjustable bed frames even offer massage features or other advanced settings, such as automatic bed head raise when snoring is detected, for a customizable sleeping experience.
Why Would I Need An Adjustable Bed?
The reasons are plentisome and will depend on your personal situation:
Comfort
Most people choose to sleep on an adjustable bed for comfort. It does not take long to understand how comfortable it is to lay in zero-gravity position, or even just with your torso raised, while watching TV or reading a book.
Snoring
Snoring can be a problem for many. Sometimes, raising your head and torso a little, will help alleviate the snoring and can really improve the sleep of the snorer, and his/her partner. Some adjustable beds are now designed to automatically raise you when they detect snoring! And if you are worried about your partner’s sleep position, worry no more – simply purchase a dual adjustable base so that each partner can control the incline of their side of the bed.
Medical
There may be medical reasons to sleep on an adjustable bed. Do you need to elevate your feet during pregnancy, or after long days at work, have you had surgery that requires that you sleep with your head raised, do you have pains or other requirements that would make it comfortable to sleep elevated? All of those, as well as the common cold, may mean that an adjustable bed will be the most comfortable base for your bed.
Do Adjustable Beds Fit In Bed Frames?
Whether your adjustable bed will fit in your bed frame, really depends on the bed frame you own. If you are interested in adjustable bed dimensions, click here to be taken to that part of the article. In short, however, manufacturers of adjustable beds builds them a little smaller than regular bed frames to make sure they fit into most regular-size frames. They also generally include manually adjustable legs so you can match the height of your adjustable bed with the height of your current bed frame.
Let’s take a look at the different frames out there:
Wooden Platform Frame With Slats – Good Fit
A very common bed frame is a wooden bed frame with slats. They have been the regular bed frames found in Europe for ages, and have arrived on the American market a few years ago. Adjustable beds fit best in wooden bed frames with slats. Simply take out the slats and wooden center beam, and your adjustable bed with fit in nicely inside the remaining frame. You can built the adjustable bed from inside your already-built wooden frame so you do not have to carry the heavy frame once it is built.
Metal Platform Frame With Metal Slats – Good Fit
A metal frame with metal slats is very similar to the wooden bed frame above, only it is built in metal instead of wood. If you remove the metal slats and middle metal beam, you may find that the frame is a little less stable than a wooden one, however, it will definitely be stable enough to stay put around your adjustable bed frame.
Bed Foundation – Does Not Fit, Acts As Replacement
Bed foundations can be used in different ways and act in the same way as an adjustable bed (only, they are not motorized and do not lift). In all cases, you will need to replace your foundation with your adjustable bed, as they serve the same purpose. If you use your bed foundation as a decorative frame, you may need to purchase a new bed frame so your bed looks finished. If you are using a foundation inside your bed frame, then simply remove your foundation and replace it with your new adjustable base. Your mattress will lay on your adjustable base the same way it did on your foundation.
Bed Frame + Box Springs- Likely A Fit
Box springs are no longer part the standard bedroom setup, due to mattresses being more rigid and supportive than they used to be. The older bed frame + box spring set up has been replaced by the more modern slats and platform beds. However, if you currently lay your mattress on a box spring, you may wonder if an adjustable bed would fit in your bed frame. The answer is likely yes. You will need to get rid of the box springs. Once you do, you should be finding a slatted structure similar to the platform bed with slats. Remove those slats and build your adjustable bed inside the frame. If you are unsure, check what structure hides underneath your box springs.
Solid Platform Bed – Likely Not A Fit
A solid platform bed typically sits only 5 to 12 inches from the ground, and look very similar to slatted bed frames from the outside. They can contain a headboard and footboard, just like their slatted cousins. However, the mattress lays on a hard plank (aka. solid platform). If that solid plank cannot be unscrewed from the bed frame, unfortunately your adjustable bed will not fit in your bed frame. We have seen some adjustable beds, which feet can be completely unscrewed – if that is the case, you may be able to lay the adjustable bed on top of the platform bed (check weight limits and add adjustable bed + mattress + sleepers’ weight to make sure this is safe).
Bed Frame With Rolling Drawers – Not A Fit
We tried this one and it was a no-go. We thought that the drawers could slide underneath the adjustable bed frame, however, since the construction of the adjustable bed is designed to be smaller than the actual bed (in order to fit inside of it), the drawers did not fit underneath the adjustable frame. You will still be able to use your existing bed frame, after removing slats and center beam, but you will need to disassemble the drawers and store them away. Again, if the slats above the drawers are close enough (no more than 3 inches apart) and the adjustable base’s feet can completely come off, you may be able to lay your adjustable bed on the slats (check weight requirements to ensure safety first).
What Should I Do If My Bed Frame Doesn't Fit An Adjustable Bed Frame?
If you figure out that your adjustable bed does not fit in your current bed frame, do not despair. In my opinion, adding an adjustable bed to your bedroom setup is still worth it.
The adjustable bed frame will act the same as a foundation. It can even be used on its own, without requiring a bed frame. The bed frame is only decorative and gives your bed a nice polished finish. However, you can absolutely just lay your mattress on the adjustable bed, fix the legs to your desired height, and roll with it. If needed, find a decorative head board to complete your bedroom.
If you are adamant on having a bed frame around your adjustable base, simply purchase one and leave out the slats. You may even be able to purchase just the frame, and save some money on the slats.
In most cases, you should be able to attached a headboard and footboard by using headboard or footboard brackets to screw onto the adjustable bed’s frame. In case the metal makes it difficult, attach your headboard to the wall behind your bed.
And if you decide to skip the frame altogether, know that adjustable bed frames have a mattress stopper built at the foot of the mattress to prevent it to sliding off. There is no risk of your mattress coming off.
Adjustable Bed Frame Dimensions
Whether an adjustable bed will fit in a bed frame will be a matter of dimensions. Typically, adjustable beds are designed a little smaller than bed frames, in order to fit in. We recommend building the adjustable bed from inside your already-built bed frame, so you don’t have to carry the somewhat-awkward load that is an adjustable base. Then adjust the height of the adjustable bed’s feet to match the height of your bed frame for a flush fit.
Let’s take a look at how adjustable bed dimensions compare to regular bed frames. We are using the GhostBed Adjustable Bed, DreamCloud Adjustable Base, Nectar Adjustable Base, and DreamCloud Bed Frame for this comparison:
| Mattress Size | Adjustable Bed Size | Frame Size |
|---|---|---|
|
Twin XL |
37" x 79" |
41" x 88" |
|
Full |
54" x 75" |
60.5" x 83" |
|
Queen |
58.4" x 79" |
66.5" x 88" |
|
King |
74" x 79" |
82.5" x 88" |
Can An Adjustable Bed Fit In A Bed Frame?
In most cases, yes. Modern bed frames are typically built with removable wooden slats. Once you remove them, you will notice that you bed frame looses a bit of stability, which matters very little as you have to reason to ever put weight on the bed frame.
Simply remove slats and build your adjustable bed frame inside your existing bed frame, adjust the height of the legs, and enjoy the most comfortable lounging and sleeping. Using an adjustable bed base has many benefits and definitely enhances your bedroom experience, adding much needed comfort to your evenings and night.
In case of doubt, research the measurements of the adjustable bed you are wanting to purchase and compare to the bed frame you have at home. Also ensure that the slats and beams can be completely removed to ensure your adjustable bed will fit. And if it doesn’t, do not return your adjustable bed yet (I promise you it’s worth sleeping on one!). Simply set up your adjustable base and either add a decorative headboard to your wall, or choose a cheaper bedframe to build around your mattress.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Most modern bed frames will work with an adjustable bed. As long as you can remove the slats and beams, and keep just the frame standing, you should be able to fit an adjustable bed inside of it.
In most cases, you should be able to purchase an adjustable bed of the same bed size (i.e., queen, king) as your current bed frame.
In order to attach a headboard and footboard to your adjustable bed, you will need to use headboard and footboard brackets to attach to the frame.
You will need a bed frame that allows you to remove the slats and center beam, in order to fit an adjustable bed inside of it. Most modern platform beds with slats will work.
There is no weight limit since the adjustable bed will not be lying, or putting any weight, onto the bed frame. The adjustable bed is its own unit, and stands on the ground on its own 4 or 6 feet.
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Are all mattresses made with fiberglass?
No, not all mattresses contain fiberglass. While it is a common material used in some types of mattresses, such as memory foam mattresses, many mattresses are made with natural materials (i.e., wool) as fire retardant.
Are bamboo mattresses eco-friendly?
Yes, bamboo mattresses are considered eco-friendly and sustainable. Bamboo is a fast-growing and renewable resource that requires less water and pesticides to grow than other crops, making it a more sustainable option for mattress production. Additionally, bamboo mattresses are often biodegradable and recyclable.
Are bamboo mattresses comfortable?
Yes, bamboo mattresses are known for their comfort and support. The natural bamboo fibers used in these mattresses create a breathable and comfortable sleeping surface that can help regulate your body temperature and provide a good night's sleep.
Do bamboo mattresses have fiberglass?
Each mattress manufacturer decides on how to pass the flammability test. It is generally accepted that cheaper mattresses use fiberglass as fire retardant, while more expensive ones replace fiberglass for natural materials such as wool. A bamboo mattress may, or may not, have fiberglass, depending on its manufacturer.
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Laura Georgieff
Laura is a mother of three who did not sleep through the night for the first 5.5 years of her kids' lives. She is passionate about sleep quality and loves sharing her experience and knowledge of all thing bedding! It is her mission to help you make the best decisions when it comes to sleep and help you get the best deal on the market!
